Title: God Of War Laufey’s Director Responds To Skeptics: ‘For Me It’s Just, Is It Fun?’ Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:59:35 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/god-of-war-laufey-kratos-faye-playable-female-character-2000702938 The upcoming game's director says she understands fan skepticism, but hopes people give the PS5 spin-off a shot

Title: Which Gaming Hardware Companies May Have Funded Armed Conflict In 2025? Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:15:19 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/gaming-companies-hardware-conflict-minerals-2025-2000702545 Do PlayStation 5s and Amazon Basics headsets fund armed conflict? Who knows!

Title: Wizards Of The Coast Deadnamed Trans Employees In Front Of Their Colleagues During Union Election, Apologized, Then Did It Again Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:35:33 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/wizards-of-the-coast-trans-employees-magic-the-gathering-arena-2000702039 'The actions here are...at odds with the kindness and support I experience daily'

Title: Leak Reveals Microsoft Wants Its AI To Be ‘Addictive,’ CEO Satya Nadella Feigns Astonishment Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:07:39 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/microsoft-ai-scout-addictive-satya-nadella-404-media-copilot-2000702924 The new 'AI personal assistant' Scout has apparently already hooked its own employees

Title: Here’s How The 9 Biggest Games At Summer Game Fest 2025 Have Turned Out Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:00:48 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/heres-how-the-9-biggest-games-at-summer-game-fest-2025-have-turned-out-2000702561 Resident Evil Requiem and 007 Last Light were big hits while MindsEye and Splitgate 2 were not

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: Nintendo Switch 2: One Year Later Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:40:26 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-one-year-later/ One year ago today, Nintendo released the Switch 2. The successor to the original Switch boasts a larger screen, magnetic Joy-Con controllers, a new C for "Chat" button for its social hooks, and most importantly, more powerful internal hardware. The Switch 2 is still the place to play Nintendo first-party games--and more and more of them are becoming exclusive to the new hardware, forgoing the Switch 1. But the increased horsepower means the Switch 2 is a viable platform for big third-party games such as Final Fantasy VII Remake and Rebirth, Capcom's Pragmata and Resident Evil Requiem, and CDPR's Cyberpunk 2077.  We're marking the occasion by looking back at the last year on the platform--our favorite games, our biggest surprises, and our disappointments. Some of the shine has come off the new hardware, even as we reveled in new experiences. Here's what we think about the first year of the Switch 2.  Switch 2 Hasn't Been The Steam Deck Replacement I Expected Even with a good gaming PC, recent years have seen me spend more and more of my gaming time curled up with a Steam Deck. I always loved my Nintendo Switch and was extremely excited at the prospect of Switch 2, expecting it would become my console of choice for anything multiplatform that didn't heavily benefit from higher-end hardware. And while that initially did prove to be the case, Switch 2 has transitioned into more of an exclusives-only machine than I anticipated. That largely comes down to two factors: I often find performance in multiplatform games to be better on Steam Deck than Switch 2, and it's just so damn much cheaper to buy digital PC games, be it through Steam sales or third-party sites that offer Steam keys. Plus, having the flexibility to scale up a given game's visuals to enjoy it on a high-end PC, the expectation that those Steam games will be easily playable for longer into the future, Deck's rear buttons (mediocre, but better than nothing or having to buy third-party Joy-Cons) and the continued lack of Achievements on Switch (I still get a kick out of unlocking them) all make Deck my preferred option.  Beyond all this, the number of exclusives I care that much about has been lower than I would've expected. Pokopia and Tomodachi Life are fun, but my standout experience on Switch 2 has been high-frame-rate Tears of the Kingdom, for better or worse. I do still really enjoy using my Switch 2, but I'm hoping Nintendo can find some ways to make it a more worthwhile option for me, particularly for games that I can choose to play elsewhere.  (Music on the eShop wouldn't hurt, either.) --Chris Pereira I Regretted Buying My Switch 2--And Then Pokopia Happened With age, I have become far less susceptible to "FOMO," the fear of missing out. When the Nintendo Switch 2 was first announced, I quickly decided I was not going to purchase it on day one and felt largely content with my choice. Despite it being the first time I'd opted out of a day-one purchase with any of the big three's consoles in at least two generations, the Switch 2 just didn't entice me enough to merit its $500 price tag. I had a perfectly functional Switch, a moderately powerful gaming PC, a Steam Deck, an Xbox Series X, and a PlayStation 5 Pro. Was it worth paying that much for what would essentially become a Mario Kart World machine? In my eyes, absolutely not. As I watched all my peers unbox their shiny new consoles, I still somehow felt immune from envy.  And then, Metroid Prime 4's release date was announced.  Yes, I could play it on Switch, but as a certified Samus fan-girl, I knew that I wanted to experience it in its most optimized form, and that meant forking over the cash for a new system. Fortunately by this time, Donkey Kong Bananza had been released to rave reviews, making me feel as though I wasn't spending an absurdly large sum on just one game. No, in the months since its release, the Switch 2 had begun to accrue a proper catalog, and I felt a bit better about the purchase. But then I played its games. I'm not trying to be a hater, I promise. But in my opinion, Donkey Kong Bananza, Mario Kart World, and Metroid Prime 4 were all simply ... fine. So fine that, even after all this time, I still haven't felt compelled to finish any of them. The Switch 2 became the thing I had worried it would be: a very expensive shelf decoration. For a while, I didn't have a particularly high opinion of the Switch 2. The system itself was comfortable, sleek, and a marked improvement, but I didn't see real value in having one. If a friend was asking me what handheld console they should buy, I recommended the Steam Deck with zero hesitation. "There isn't much point to grabbing a Switch 2 right now," I'd tell them. But that was all before Pokemon Pokopia hit shelves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV32d4bIzJE Though it might not be in a literal sense, I firmly believe Pokemon Pokopia is the Switch 2 launch title and, at least for the time being, the system's defining game. The charming life-sim-meets-town-builder single-handedly reshaped my opinion of the console and its utility. With its shockingly deep and emotionally resonant story, its stellar gameplay loop, its vast environments, and its level of care and creativity, it's a game I come back to often, making Pokemon Pokopia one of precious few games that I dare to say is worth buying an entire console for. Both my husband and sister--after spending hours watching me play the game--went out to Best Buy and purchased a Switch 2, far more confident in their decisions than I ever was. And if their 100+ hours logged in Pokopia is any indication, I think they feel pretty secure in their investments. But perhaps most importantly, Pokopia served as a way to dispel the barrier between me and the Switch 2. Since the game's release, I've found myself turning to the console more and more. In the past few months I've poured a frankly embarrassing amount of hours into both BallxPit and Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Just last week, I opted to purchase Mina the Hollower on it rather than on Steam Deck. As I sit in a hotel room writing this, my Switch 2 rests next to me in my backpack, the sole console I brought with me on my latest assignment. Though my Steam Deck will certainly never be relegated to "expensive shelf decor" status, it's definitely seen far more downtime since the release of Pokemon Pokopia. --Jessica Cogswell Switch 2 Makes Me Wish For A Better Steam Deck Portable gaming has always been a major part of my life, and even more so since becoming a busy parent with supervision and transportation obligations. The original Switch felt like a godsend, fusing Nintendo's AAA development with its portable business. As the years went on, it lost some of its luster, especially once I bought a Steam Deck. The Steam ecosystem is so robust, its library so massive, its sales so deep, that it essentially replaced the Switch 1 in my portable gaming rotation. In its elder years, the Switch was mostly a Nintendo-exclusives machine. The Switch 2 hasn't fundamentally changed this dynamic. All things being equal, I'm still more likely to buy a game on Steam than Switch 2. But the hardware itself is much more thoughtful, and every time I put my hands on the Switch 2, I'm left wishing that my Steam Deck had the same cohesion of hardware design.  Perhaps because Nintendo has spent decades making consumer console hardware, the Switch 2 just works. The Joy-Cons simply turn the system on, and can be disconnected. The Pro controller simply turns the system on. The console simply slides into the dock and immediately starts displaying on the TV screen. The Home screen is just zippy and easy to navigate with minimal lag as I browse my library. It's all designed to be as frictionless as possible. In a hundred barely perceptible ways, it feels better to actually put your hands on a Switch 2. Altogether, those add up. As much as I love my Steam Deck, playing on the Switch 2 makes me jealous for its ease of use and simplicity. That's quite an accomplishment for Nintendo, even if the smaller library means I still default to Steam most of the time. --Steve Watts Switch 2 I Was Adamant I Didn't Want, Or Need, A Switch 2. I'm So Glad I Bought One. I am a victim of consumer marketing. I always have to have the newest, shiniest thing that's coming out, especially if that coincides with gaming. I remember watching the reveal of the Switch 2 and thinking, "Not this time, Nintendo." I have an OLED Switch, I have the original Switch, I have a Switch Lite--although I will caveat that by saying I also have two tiny humans who enjoy these products as much as I do. But we didn't need a Switch 2. There wasn't enough newness there for me to justify it. And, sure enough, I stuck to my guns for the first six months. June rolled around and I still had no interest, or desire, to pick one up. But then came the Christmas lists. Both of my daughters had listed the Switch 2 at the top of their letters to Santa. And Santa never disappoints children, right? Besides, Pokemon Pokopia was due to come out, and that was the only Switch 2 exclusive that had managed to turn my head at that point. So, as every lenient parent does at some point in their life, I caved in. Two shiny Switch 2 consoles sat under the Christmas tree, and as soon as my offspring had reluctantly gone to bed on Christmas Day, I got stuck in.  I was immediately struck by how much more premium the Switch 2 feels compared to the original. Its larger screen and heftier weight just felt better in my hands, and although I wasn't quite smitten with it, I was impressed. When Pokopia release day rolled around, I was practically battling my children, giving them chores to do, reminding them of their homework, anything to delay them realizing what day it was and which game had just come out. From that point on, I was riveted. Every spare hour of my day was Pokopia time, and it remained that way for quite some time--until Tomodachi Life (also on Switch 1) came out. The disturbing and depraved conversations I could force my Miis to have caused hilarity among myself and the friends I was playing alongside in Discord group calls. From two titles alone, I have justified the expense of the console. It's safe to say that my (read: my daughter's) Switch 2 is a console purchased for Nintendo exclusives, and it has even remained in handheld mode for the duration of its time with us so far. I did try to talk myself out of needing the new, shiny thing, but I'm glad my daughters convinced me in the end. Just please, Nintendo, don't bring out a bigger, better, shinier one any time soon. --Cheri Faulkner I Literally Forgot I Owned A Switch 2 Until I Was Assigned This Blurb I did legitimately like the original Switch. Apart from supplying some engrossing games with The Legend of Zelda and providing a handy way to revisit a few excellent retro games I didn't already have sitting on a shelf, it served as my indie game delivery system for a long time.  But even when the Switch was most useful to me, before I got a Steam Deck, I would go long stretches without playing it. Usually it would take the launch of some big-name first-party game for me to reach deep into my TV's entertainment center to retrieve it, covered with dust, battery extremely dead. I'd get a month's worth of play time out of it, before it would vanish again to its tucked-away place among too many other aging game consoles. I've played the Switch 2 even less. In fact, if the Switch 2 has been available for 12 months, I haven't played it in about 11. I'd forgotten I owned one until we started talking about this feature. And that's because I've found the Switch 2 pretty underwhelming, almost wholly from the standpoint of its game library. I nabbed Mario Kart World when it released, and found little to draw me in; maybe because Mario Kart games themselves are for parties and chaos, and not for playing alone in handheld mode while half-watching a movie. I bought Donkey Kong Bananza and thought it was cute, but fell off as I came to realize that all of its activities felt basically identical, without any kind of real challenge. Bananza feels like a game for children, which doesn't bother me, but I wanted something more substantial. It was my experience with Bananza that put me off buying Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, once the reviews came out. Metroid games have been all over the place for a while now, and I haven't felt like they've really captured what I liked about the franchise since either the Game Boy Advance days or Metroid Prime 3. This one sounded like it was full of irritating characters, skewing in a different direction, and memories of Other M flooded back. Better to keep Metroid as I remember it, I figured. Other apparently fun games have come along. Pokemon Pokopia sounds cool if you're a Pokemon person, but my Pokemon game was Red and the year was 1998. Apparently people like Tomodachi Life. I played Animal Crossing: New Horizons during COVID like everyone else. Tom Nook is a slumlord and the whole thing got dull in a hurry. I think I'm good on cutesy life sims. The thing about the Switch 2 is that I'm getting pretty old. I don't have any kids. Its first-party games feel undercooked to me, a little childish, a little flighty, a little thin. There's something almost ... Jar-Jar Binksian about the console. And much the way the Star Wars prequels are remembered fondly by people just a little younger than me, I just might no longer be the target audience for what Nintendo has in mind. That's fine. You don't have to be the audience for everything forever. It's foolish and egotistical to think so. But I wish I'd known the Switch 2 would have so little to offer me before I'd laid down my credit card for one. --Phil Hornshaw Read more: Nintendo Switch 2 At One: Nintendo's Biggest Wins, Misses, And Surprises

Title: Nintendo Switch 2 At One: Nintendo’s Biggest Wins, Misses, And Surprises Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:40:30 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-switch-2-at-one-nintendos-biggest-wins-misses-and-surprises/ Today, June 5, is the first anniversary of the Switch 2, Nintendo's successor to its best-selling console ever. The hybrid handheld has seen its share of highs and lows since launch, and it still feels like it hasn't fully found its groove. Many people believe that the best is yet to come, and the next year will be key if Nintendo wants the Switch 2 to match the success of the original Switch. With that in mind, let's look back at the Switch 2's first year, its biggest successes, and where Nintendo could do better in year two. A strong start to sales The Switch 2 is Nintendo's fastest-selling console ever. Switch 2 sales got off to a great start. In its first month, it sold 2.4 million units worldwide, beating Nintendo's expectations and becoming the fastest-selling home console ever. By the end of its first summer in the US, it had set new sales records. As of March 31, 19.86 million Switch 2 consoles have been sold, putting it well ahead of the original Switch (15 million), PS4 (14.8 million), and PS5 (13.5 million) in their first years. Momentum is slowing down Even though the Switch 2 started strong, Nintendo expects sales to slow down. The company predicts it will sell 16.5 million more Switch 2 consoles in the next year, and if it reaches that figure, total sales after 22 months will still be higher than the original Switch at the same point. Here come some new challengers Since the original Switch came out, handheld gaming has changed a lot. PC gaming handhelds aren't selling as many units as the original Switch, but they are still taking away some sales by offering powerful hardware and flexible ways to get games. Devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, and others are impressive, but they're expensive and could get pricier with ongoing hardware shortages. Even with a price increase on the way, the Switch 2 is still one of the best entry-level consoles out there The Switch 2 is still a great entry-level gaming console. Tech prices have gone up across the board lately, largely because of the AI boom. After holding off for a while and facing pressure from investors, Nintendo is raising the Switch 2's price by $50 in September. Soon, the console will cost $500, but that's still a good deal. Xbox and PS5 consoles are now more expensive than when they launched in late 2020, so the Switch 2 still offers plenty of bang for your buck. Nintendo's best games aren't its first-party exclusives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glwnSeOcnKY&vl=en Nintendo is famous for its top-notch first-party games, but so far, the Switch 2 lineup hasn't fully lived up to that reputation. Launch titles like Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are good, but they don't quite reach the heights of classics like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or Fire Emblem: Three Houses. Right now, third-party publishers and developers are carrying much of the load for Nintendo. Capcom, CD Projekt Red, and Square Enix have managed to get demanding games like Resident Evil Requiem, Cyberpunk 2077, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth running well on the Switch 2, while indie hits like Hades 2, Mina the Hollower, and Blue Prince are also must-plays. The downside is that these games are also available on other platforms, including PC handhelds, so players might choose to play them elsewhere. Exclusives have always been the main reason to buy Nintendo consoles, but in the Switch 2's second year, Nintendo needs to do more to stand out. There are some exciting games coming soon, like The Duskbloods, Splatoon Raiders, and the next mainline Pokemon game. Still, depending too much on third-party ports won't be enough. Nintendo still has a bad penny-pinching habit Another concern is Nintendo's habit of adding extra charges wherever possible. Many Switch 2 owners are frustrated that Nintendo charges for graphical upgrades to games they already own. By contrast, Sony and Microsoft often provide free updates, except for a few cases like The Last of Us remasters. Third-party developers also tend to offer free upgrades, but Nintendo continues to charge for even basic "Switch 2 Edition" games. One of the worst examples of Nintendo's nickel-and-diming is the Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, an interactive demo that really should have been free with the console. Instead, Nintendo charged $10 for it, which upset many owners. Other choices, like putting online chat behind a subscription, experimenting with $80 game launches, and strict game-sharing rules have also frustrated Switch 2 users. One positive change is Nintendo's push to sell more games digitally. To cut down on the costs of physical games, the company now offers some exclusives for $50 if you buy them digitally. This could make the gap between physical and digital sales even bigger. With physical game sales slowly dropping and Game Key-Cards stirring debate, the future looks more digital than ever. What's next for the Switch 2? The Switch 2's first year has had ups and downs, but most people still feel positive about it. If Nintendo starts releasing exclusives more often, the Switch 2 could become the go-to place for top games, just like the original. To get there, Nintendo needs to keep up the momentum and deliver high-quality releases. The Switch 2 is already popular, but adding more games, keeping prices reasonable, and highlighting what makes it special should be Nintendo's focus in year two. Read more: Nintendo Switch 2: One Year Later 23 Best Nintendo Switch 2 Games To Play Right Now View Images

Title: New Lara Croft Actor Reveals How She Busted Up Her Arm Making The New Game Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:06:28 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-lara-croft-actor-reveals-how-she-busted-up-her-arm-making-the-new-game/ Alix Wilton Regan, who plays Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst, has discussed an injury she sustained while working on Legacy of Atlantis. She told WhatCulture Gaming that she is known to go "a little bit too hard" when doing performance-capture work, and that happened with Legacy of Atlantis. "I just forget that I'm not actually Lara Croft. I was recently throwing myself into a door voluntarily as she batters the door down, and I hurt my arm by the end of the day," she said. "Everyone was like, 'You don't have to do that.' And I'm like, 'I do! I have to feel everything.' I would drive people mad on set with that." She added: "That was how I injured my arm. I was doing five, six, seven takes in a row. My arm was hanging limply by my side. A co-star went, 'I don't think that's right.' I was like, 'Oh, it's probably not.'" Wilton Regan is not the first Tomb Raider actor to get injured on set. Sophie Turner, who plays Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider TV show, suffered a "minor injury" recently, with production on the series shutting down temporarily. https://twitter.com/WCultureGaming/status/2062679328069156969 Legacy of Atlantis is a remake of the 1996 original Tomb Raider game, and the developers at Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog used generative AI to bring it to life. Legacy of Atlantis was originally set to launch in 2026, but has now been delayed to February 2027. It's not the only Tomb Raider game coming in 2027, as a brand-new game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst, is also arriving next year. Wilton Regan is taking over from Camilla Luddington as Lara Croft. Luddington played Lara Croft in 2013's Tomb Raider and its sequels, Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Title: God Of War Laufey’s Director Talks Fan Skepticism, New Ideas, And Phranque The Cube Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:35:06 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-laufeys-director-talks-fan-skepticism-new-ideas-and-phranque-the-cube/ The showstopper at PlayStation's State of Play was a new entry in the God of War franchise. However, instead of introducing Kratos's newest adventure, Santa Monica Studio revealed God of War Laufey, which, as indicated by the title, shifts its focus to Faye, a hero and warrior in her own right, to tell a tale that runs parallel to the events of the 2018 God of War reboot. Somewhat expectedly, there has been everything from excitement to anger at the new direction. But to Santa Monica Studio, Laufey has long represented an exciting way to branch out, and to tell new and different stories that enrich the God of War we know. We spoke to the game's director, Ariel Lawrence, about the announcement of the game, the response, and what the studio hopes to achieve with its latest game.  GameSpot: God of War's identity has changed so many times and Laufey is probably the most drastic. What is God of War to you and Santa Monica Studio? Ariel Lawrence: Having worked on the franchise for a long time [and] been through a lot of those evolutions, I think it's telling an epic story that has tons of fantasy and violence, but at the heart of it still is a really human personal story.  A lot of people think of Kratos one way, as rage-filled, but there was a real person underneath that. And for us, seeing that evolution over time with the different consoles and thinking about what new things can we bring to that storytelling, what new things can we bring to that combat experience. And being able to show a mythological world that people maybe haven't seen and deliver on that surprise and delight kind of feel. There's been a feeling that Laufey is taking the franchise away from what it used to be, which for many is that violence and a bit of machismo too. How do you feel about that assessment and what would you say to potentially assuage those fears? I mean, I know a little bit more than what we've shown for the reveal, so for me, Faye definitely has violence in it and is capable of that. I think it's just more, what does a warrior look like in Faye? And it's a little different than what a warrior looks like in Kratos. They're different size and shaped people, but I think they're still both as strong and capable. For me, the level of violence for Faye is really like, 'what is going to get the job done?' And so when she's going to take somebody out it's, 'what is the way to get that done as quickly, as cleanly as possible?' There's still some more violence to come. Kratos was a Spartan general. He's still a tactician and things like that, but I think where he has more of the ability to be a brick wall, Faye is going to take on monsters and gods that are of different sizes and shapes, so she's going to use her physicality differently. And so I think that's really just playing to the strengths of both of those.  Faye wants to help Kratos and Atreus as quickly as she can, so to get through the world and those encounters to get [to] what she needs, she's going to try to go the best way possible. Faye, she's a little quicker on her feet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upjpP54xDIc Faye is a giant, she was the protector of her people, she wielded the Leviathan axe before Kratos and she, essentially, tamed the beast [that Kratos was]. Why do you think there's still skepticism around Faye's ability?  Everybody comes at their stories with their own worldview, so I'm not sure what drives a lot of people to say that, but I definitely think Faye is as qualified as you said. We know that Faye and Kratos stood toe-to-toe and were partners in their life together and they cared about each other. He saw her as a capable warrior and she saw in him also that capability for change. I'm not sure what drives other folks to make assumptions on that, but I know her to be quite capable. Grief and revenge and cycles of violence have been a key part of Kratos' story thematically but this game feels like it could be different. What is the thematic journey that you want to take Faye on? I think both Faye and Kratos have had things happen in their past that they wish maybe could have gone differently. Faye was the protector of the Giants, but that didn't quite work out as well for the Giants. And so I think part of Faye's journey is processing all of those things along the way, and how can she help Kratos and Atreus? And what's the next step of her becoming and how do you come to terms with that?  We saw a lot of that with Kratos; what is he coming into? What is holding him back from doing those things? And he's had to process his rage and his grief, his relationship with his family and who he was to who he is now. I think Faye, as a warrior, has a similar journey in front of her, maybe with slightly different beginnings. But still, I think [that's] a person we can keep telling stories about. Kratos has been the embodiment of rage that has been for a lot of his life. I think a lot of people feel that in themselves through him, so that is a big reason why people have such a visceral reaction to him not being there. There is the potential to not be able to channel those emotions through a character that has been there for them to do that. But there are perhaps to channel other emotions through Faye. What is the emotion you think that Faye represents the most, that could be a point of relation for people who come to this franchise for the ability to express themselves? I think for Faye it's really about understanding what is holding us back from becoming the best, most powerful version of ourselves, and coming to terms with what it is that that's holding you back? But also I don't think people should be afraid that Kratos isn't going to be there for them. We've got the remakes coming, there's plenty more stories to tell for Kratos, and I hope that everybody allows him to also continue the growth that he's had for the couple of games. He'll always have a certain part of that in him that he's dealing with, but we all grow and tell new stories as well. Do you feel pressure of being at the front of the first major revolution? game-changing moment in the God of War franchise and do you think about how your success could pave the way for what happens to the franchise going forward? On the inside and making these games, every time somebody has said, "Oh, you shouldn't do that because that's not how games do things," even from the very first God of War--at a time when a lot of the great action games were coming out of Japan. It [was] like, "An American studio is not going to be able to do that." And I think every time we've tried something new, somebody has internally, externally, etc, said, "Oh, I don't think that's a good idea," and that becomes a personal challenge for the team to be able to push forward and experiment;  When they were like, "Oh, you can't go to a single camera. You can't have the son come in. You can't do any of these things," that's the challenge, that's part of the fun. But also most of the time we're just thinking about how we tell the best story, make the best, most fun experience for players. When we have these moments where we announce something, I guess maybe it gives us [the chance to give] a little bit more reflection on that, but a lot of times we're just heads down on, "How do we make this the best experience we can? What do we need to do to tell the story better?" And each one of those evolutions really drives what are the storytelling tools, gameplay tools, et cetera, that allow us to make this experience the way that we want players to have this experience. The tools from the reboot to Ragnarok are largely the same there, right? Do you think that a game like Laufey creates the ability to introduce new tools in a safe, different way that then you can bring back [in the future]? I think for Laufey, especially with the Everywhen as a concept, bringing mythologies together, and kind of exploring this world beyond for the gods, it was…  not restriction, but a lot of ways of doing things that we had. We could start fresh in some places, and so I think that was a great place for the team to take on that creative risk and feel safe about exploring. Because with Kratos, we've got 20 years of our explorations with him, and they kind of gently point us in a certain direction and we can evolve with him. But I think for Faye just going somewhere new, it was like opening a window and being able to jump into something and see where it goes. But a lot of Laufey is really built on all of the experience from the Greek saga. You can see the evidence of Greek saga and Norse saga both coming together; it's not baby out with the bath water. But just having a different physique to work with in terms of combat, animation, and then just thinking about that allowed us some distance basically to be able to look at all the stuff that we've done and say, "Is this a tool that would help us tell Laufey's story?" The Everywhen is the first entirely original setting for th eseries. How did you get to the point where you made something instead of using existing mythology as foundational and go from there? A lot of people think of God of War as a retelling of mythology, whereas this is creating mythology. Well, I hope folks aren't failing Greek mythology exams by using Kratos [laughs].  I think it's always been like an expansion of mythology for us or a retelling [and we've said], 'this is what we know, but you didn't know this other stuff.' So for Kratos, that's always been there. For Faye and the Everywhen, we get to do that same thing where now we can get to know different mythologies coming together, but we get to know those characters. They're still going to have the same mythological background and grow from that, but now we can actually see how some of those characters would interact as full people in there. Why is it called Everywhen? It feels like time might be a bit funny there. I won't spoil any of the surprises of things, but I think for us [the Everywhen] gave this concept of all time and no time and a place beyond the mortal realms. So it was kind of an internal kind of idea that just kind of stuck after a while. Do you feel like this is a kind of crucial piece to put in place to further explore different territories and give the series longevity? Yeah. I think this concept of the place beyond has been in Cory [Barlog]'s brain for a long, long time. We've gone to mortal afterlives--hades, and we've gone to Helheim. But this idea of for the gods, where do they go? Because we've killed gods. They've disappeared. What happens to them? They're not in any of their underworlds, so where does that happen? That question has really been bouncing around for a long time.  And I think this idea of locking ourselves into potentially maybe like one mythology [led us to], "Well, maybe actually these mythologies all touch." Everybody's got an idea about a magical place. That's so common in a lot of different kinds of mythologies that maybe they're the same place. And so once we started talking about that idea, it really kind of grew from there and the opportunity was just so exciting that I think it just really stuck. There's the question of where do Gods go that exists within the current God of War saga, with it being Odin's obsession. But Athena in God of War III also mentions that she's transcended beyond into a new place. Is it the same place?  I won't go into all the details, but I can tell you we've been killing gods for a really long time. So we've been thinking about this question. Since Aries died, we were like, "Okay, great. Does he go to the underworld?" We asked that question. Where did he show up after Kratos killed him?" I think this has been really bubbling around for like 20 years. Laufey isn't technically a God, right? For us, this [place] is a return for all magic. So it's not just gods, but magical creatures and all sorts of things. Magic is pulled to this place. Will this game move forward the discussion around who blew the horn? That is a very good question. I am not at liberty to discuss. Unsurprisingly, that's what everyone else that worked on God of War games said as well. I think that's a very exciting question for folks to dig into. Do you feel a pressure to answer that question now way more?  I don't think people understand how stubborn Cory Barlog can be, so we may be waiting a while. Deborah Ann Woll is the actor behind Laufey. When did she find out that there was more to this character? Oh, I'm pretty sure Cory told her in Ragnarok [development]. Deborah and I have talked about that and she was like, "I've had to keep this under wraps for, I don't know, what is it, 8, 10 years at this point."  Cory always knew how important Faye was to the kind of next evolution of God for storytelling. And so when he made Faye as a character in 2018, that importance and the gravitas was there. And then when he was like, "We need to find somebody to be Faye," he was incredibly intentional about that. I don't know what the conversation was between Cory and Deborah, but that has been a twinkle in his eye for a while. We saw a moment where Kratos appears and he physically interacts with Faye so he's not a magical construct. As a concept in the narrative, how important is the idea of converging [Laufey's story] with Kratos.  Well, I think for us it's kind of a reverse of the Ragnarok perspective. In Ragnarok, Faye was present and on Kratos' mind pretty heavily. And [we are] able to show the other side of that story, because Faye meant as much to Kratos as Kratos means to Faye. And so being able to kind of continue that understanding, the conversation. I've been watching those videos where people have tried to match up where Kratos dies in Ragnarok with something that happens in Laufey's journey.  I look forward to all of the fan theories about this topic. What's up with the cube and the sword? So Phranque has always been a character. I was with the team for two years on the reboot, working up to 2018, and then when I came back to the studio in 2021, the two characters that were whole and in the pre-production of Laufey were Faye and Phranque. Cory and I have talked about it a lot and the challenge of taking something that could be interpreted as a non-personality and inanimate object, and really just driving a human connection with that and caring about it. As a companion, Phranque offers, mechanically, some interesting ideas. That's always been Phranque. And then for Rue, we knew we wanted Faye to have a legendary weapon.The Leviathan Axe really is Kratos's now--she gave it to him. She's not taking it back.  So for us, [we wanted] to find a weapon that could really play to Faye's strengths, that nimbleness but still being deadly, that kind of flexibility and speed. As we were doing a lot of development, the ribbons started to take form in there and we were kind of thinking about the caretaker [of the sword] in there. [We thought about], if Faye comes to this world, who is it that is holding the sword when she gets there, and Rue was born. Is it an original sword for God of War or is it something people will know, like Excalibur or something like that. It's an Epic sword. It has a story. Understood. Coming back to Phranque. The good faith discussion around Phranque that some are having relates to the question of what impact does he have on the tone of the game, the way it's written and the way it emotionally plays out. The worry is around the Marvelification or the Joss Whedonification of God of War. Is there anything you can say to perhaps give people a better understanding of what Phranque is there for and what the potential impact he will have is? Phranque has probably got six or seven lines in the reveal, so it's not a fully developed personality present [there] because we're just not having as much conversation. So I would say as we are still in development on all of these things, we're treating Phranque as we would any companion character. His earnestness, his honesty about being in the moment is kind of integral to his character, but that doesn't make him completely unserious. For us, we want to find his humanity. And as we'll discover, in the world of Everywhen things are not great right now. So for him, I think it's really about helping Faye see the world as it is. So he's not meant to be a joke in that kind of capacity. I thought it was interesting that he was so immediately trusting of Faye. Yeah. And I think that is a component to his personality. But there's a little bit more depth to why he is like that. Does he need to be that way when you're depicting a world that is so brutal as what we saw? Do you need that kind of character to stop it from being a bit much? Mimir at times had that function. Yeah. I think all the characters... Kratos is pretty serious a lot of the time, and so the levity of other people stands in contrast to that a lot. We have characters that can go across the spectrum of that, so it's not that we have to be very serious and very light. I think we have real people as much as we can, but I think the reveal is just a very small section of the Everywhen, and so as we kind of open up the world to see the next things, Phranque fits into that part. Everyone has been fixated on Kratos and his role in Laufey's story. You've indicated he will play a part. I'm more interested in how much of a presence Atreus has. The first thing Laufey expresses is that she didn't get to say goodbye, and it's easy to forget that means to Atreus as well as Kratos. Is that an important part [to her story]? Oh, I think definitely. Faye has left Kratos and Atreus, but Atreus [she left] is not the Atreus of Ragnarok, it's the Atreus of 2018, so much younger. And so I think her instinct is, 'my husband, my partner, this is the person I want to make sure that they're taking care of Atreus.' I don't think she sees Atreus as the young man he's become in Ragnarok. She's striving to get back to both of them, but the connection I think is really the one of her and Kratos first. They both have an impact in there, but I think she's hoping to connect with Kratos, because he's the one who's still with Atreus, taking care of him. With Kratos and Atreus [their quest] was to get to the top of the highest point in the realm and spread her ashes. What is Laufey's goal? Well, I think that she is trying to get back to Kratos and Atreus, and we'll see how she goes. Get back to them? Yeah. Or to help them. Okay. That's interesting… The idea of her returning is not something that I thought about. Well, what she wants and what she needs are probably two different things. She wants to say goodbye. In terms of the gameplay, how difficult was it to shift from a heavy character into one that is more lithe? I think that because we started with the idea, like we knew it was going to be a Faye game, we had a Faye model. We couldn't just put Kratos animations on her. It just wouldn't make sense. Her body wouldn't move that way.  But I think being able to look back to the Greek era [where] Kratos had a little bit more of an acrobatic nature [helped]. We still have folks in the studio who've worked on those games, so I think this was, "What if we did this, but this is the person we have executing this, and how would that work and what things could we borrow, what things could we expand on?" That's the fun part of development--just seeing where it can go. We talked to Cory about the late introduction of the Blades of Chaos and he recounted that it was almost his upending moment for the team where they were like, how do we figure this out? Was it easier to move to the new weapons because of that work done there? Yes and no. I think that just having a Faye model rig to move with, because we do so much pre-vis work and kind of experiment, we have a ton of time for the animators and combat designers to experiment with what's going to come out, what's going to bubble up from the tools that we have, what weapon that she would match with. So I don't think it's necessarily harder to go to a new thing. It was probably harder for Kratos in that moment because the team was so set on the Leviathan Axe. That's all they were thinking about, so then to make the switch it's like, "how do we do this?" But they figured it out. One of the things that a lot of old school God of War fans are missing is platforming. Now that Faye has the ability to hop around in a way that Kratos couldn't, is [platforming] something that you want to reintroduce or emphasize a bit more? Laufey lends herself a lot to new and different traversal mechanics. Absolutely. So I hope to show you guys more about that soon. But I think that for us, yeah, it's not just about how she moves in combat, but how she explores the world. And the jump allows verticality in spaces and her speed and agility [lets her] get to places that maybe Kratos wouldn't have in the last games. But for us that expands the possibility for level design and for different kinds of systems and things. God of War Laufey There's a lot of excitement around God of War Laufey, but also a lot of skepticism. What would you say to the people out there that are in either camp? I want to be as truthful as I can to Faye's experience and to really show her to be the warrior that Kratos fell in love with, that changed his life. I want to see who that person is and so I hope fans will come along on the journey with us. I'm so excited about the mythological possibilities of who we can meet and the magic that we can get ourselves into going forward. I understand the skepticism. I hope they will give it a chance and be excited to play. I think for me it's just, is it fun? Is it an adventure that I haven't been on before? And I think the biggest thing is just, for us, is how can we hold onto the surprise? I think it's just so hard to be surprised today. Everybody always knows exactly how it's going to play out. So I'm hopeful that this is a place where we can still have some mystery. For better or for worse, the Laufey reveal was a surprise to everyone, and it's probably why people are reacting the way that they're reacting, right? I'm so thankful that we have the fans that we have. I'm so thankful that we have people who care. And whether or not they care, they're upset, or they think we should do something that's different, I would rather they care. So we're arms open, ready to show them Faye's journey and have them fall in love with her like we have. That's the exciting part for us. Do you take any power from the people who perhaps aren't on board yet? Does it fuel you? I don't know if it fuels us. I think that it's more of that challenge where people make assumptions about what we can do or what we can't do and as a team, as a studio. Or what we should do. As a team, Santa Monica has always taken to doing what we want to do and showing people we can do it. So I hope they come along because I would love them to [experience] the fun and the adventure that we have in store for them.  I understand everybody's reservations and hesitations and I know that it comes from a good place. They have been on that journey with Kratos as long as I have, right? And it means something to them and I hope that this is more of a "yes and" for expanding. We're not leaving anybody behind. We've got plenty more Kratos coming. This is really just a place for adventure to go beyond what we had.

Title: Backrooms Director Eyeing A Portal Movie, But He’s Cautious About Adaptations Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:27:43 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/backrooms-director-eyeing-a-portal-movie-but-hes-cautious-about-adaptations/ 20-year-old Kane Parsons has one of the biggest movies of 2026 in Backrooms, and everyone wants to know what he will make next. In addition to spinning Backrooms into a TV series, Parsons is eyeing a movie based on Valve's Portal game. The New York Times reports that Parsons said adapting the puzzle-platformer would be his dream. The report did not include any direct quotes from Parsons about this, so that's all we know, but the author of the piece, Kyle Buchanan, shared quotes online that didn't make it into the NYT story. He said Parsons told him that Parsons was looking into directing a Portal movie "with a lot of caution and a lot of curiosity." In 2013, Valve announced plans to investigate the possibility of making Portal and Half-Life movies. Star Wars and Star Trek director JJ Abrams later came aboard to make the Portal movie. Warner Bros. was making the movie and hired a writer. In 2021, Abrams said he thought the Portal movie could get made. As things tend to happen in Hollywood, however, the Portal movie never materialized, and neither did the Half-Life film. Valve is known to take its time and be selective with its projects, and that very nature is what Parsons said he likes about Valve. Parsons recently said he respects Valve's integrity for making things because it wants to, and not just to make money.. Anyone who has seen Backrooms may have noticed that the film’s creaking door sound was borrowed from Portal. Parsons has also said Valve’s Portal series has been his single biggest influence creatively. https://www.tiktok.com/@letterboxd/video/7643924909541838094 Parsons said he is so obsessed with Portal that he travels to the game's fictional setting in his dreams. Many people have pointed out that Backrooms' set design gives off a lot of Portal vibes. Despite his enthusiasm for Valve and Portal, Parsons is also cautious about adaptations. “Needing to step into someone else’s view of life tends to damage the initial point for me,” he said in a recent interview. “So the only ones that I would look at are ones that have shaped my own experience of life so much that I feel like I have something to do with that conversation in the first place.” He was asked specifically if he would jump at the chance to make a Star Wars or Star Trek movie, or an adaptation of any “big” franchises, and he said that doesn’t interest him generally. Parsons wants to make original IP, but he said there are “one or two” exceptions. These would be franchises from the early 2000s that resonate strongly and personally with Parsons. He declined to name them outright, but his new comments suggest Portal could be among them. He also teased that he may already have something in the works, offering, “Stuff may already be moving a little bit.” Parsons is also connected to gaming through his family. His father, Michael Parsons, worked at Telltale Games and now works at Skydance.

Title: This $100,000 Space Invaders lotto game just pissed everyone off Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 15:12:41 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/space-invaders-lotto-scratch-off-hoosier-pulled/ Imagine, for a moment, that you've bought a lotto scratch-off ticket. You don't seriously think you're going to win, but hey, it's $5 — and they've got a video game one, too. You rub off the silver-colored spaces one by one and — oh snap! This thing says you've won $100,000?!

Title: Valve's Steam Machine and Steam Frame set to ship this summer Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:00:41 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/valve-steam-machine-summer-release-date-steam-frame/ Valve’s next crack at the gaming hardware business is releasing soon. In a blog post, the company confirmed that the Steam Machine and the Steam Frame (its new VR headset) will ship this summer.

Title: Scary Movie 6 grasps for relevance by parodying KPop Demon Hunters in the worst way possible Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:41:00 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/scary-movie-6-kpop-demon-hunters/ With over a decade of horrormovies to choose from, you would be forgiven for thinking that Marlon and Shawn Wayans would have plenty of material to tackle for their latest Scary Movie. However, while the trailer has shown that the Wayans are going to be hitting all the horror greats — and some of its stinkers — the duo will also be tackling something new: children's movies.

Title: Nintendo Switch 2 mouse controls haven't had a major breakthrough in 1 full year Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:00:20 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/switch-2-mouse-controls-one-year-later/ When Nintendo first announced that each Switch 2 Joy-con could function like a computer mouse, I was an immediate skeptic. It was a sensible concept, but I had no faith that developers would adopt the novel control scheme beyond first-person shooters. After all, I’d been burned before by the original Switch’s rarely used IR sensors. I figured that we’d see a few games out the gate that used mouse controls in clever ways, but very few that dared to experiment with the controls after that.

Title: All Nintendo Switch 2 first-party games, ranked from worst to best Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:00:20 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2-games-launch-year-ranked/ Now’s as good a time as any to zoom out and take a big-picture look at Switch 2’s first year library. What we found when ranking all 12 games is that there are hardly any duds in the bunch. Aside from two glorified tech demos, just about everything we’ve gotten from Nintendo in the past year has been some degree of fun. That makes it hard to put a list together without stirring some disagreement, but know that even some of the lower-ranking games on our list are still pretty darn enjoyable.

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: The Name’s Gaming … Cloud Gaming: ‘007 First Light’ Launches on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:37 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-007-first-light-launch/ License to stream, shaken and stirred. GeForce NOW is dialing up the espionage with the launch of 007 First Light, letting members slip into James Bond’s reimagined origin story from almost any device — no tux or preloads required.  For a limited time, the game is included with the purchase of a 12‑month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership, letting members lock in Bond’s next mission and a year of top-tier cloud gaming in one shot. And for those stepping into the role, the look comes with it. Daring Elite Outfit, a signature look capturing the spirit of a rising agent, is now available for Ultimate members — equal parts discipline, ambition and edge. And catch Capcom’s Resident Evil Requiem demo in the cloud — catch an early portion of the game and discover its two sides: terrifying survival horror with Grace Ashcroft, and pulse-pounding action with Leon S. Kennedy This GFN Thursday also brings eight new games to the cloud, expanding the library with even more ways to play across genres. Mission Assigned First light, first mission. The mission begins before the legend. 007 First Light puts players in the shoes of James Bond at the dawn of his career, when instincts are sharp, rules are flexible and every decision shapes the agent he’s destined to become. This is a Bond who’s still earning his “00” — unpolished, dangerous and learning when to trust a plan and when to improvise under fire. A cinematic spy thriller unfolds with high-stakes infiltration, tense encounters and stylish set pieces. One moment brings thrills working undercover at an opulent event — the next, white‑knuckle chases and close‑quarters confrontations where timing and composure are everything. Approaches to each mission — quiet and calculated, bold and aggressive, or something in between — define Bond’s path and the allies and enemies that cross it. Stream it all with GeForce RTX 50 Series GPU power in the cloud, with up to 5K high dynamic range and cinematic-quality streaming for Ultimate members. Experience Bond’s origin story in razor-sharp detail across devices — no high-end PC required. Keep It Daring Tailored. Tactical. Dangerously sharp. Looks speak first. A new 007 First Light reward drops today on GeForce NOW, delivering Ultimate members a refined,  unmistakably bold way to step into the world of espionage. The Daring Elite Outfit blends calculated precision with effortless style — the kind that turns heads before the mission even begins. Sleek, confident and just a little dangerous, it’s built for agents who understand that presence is a part of the playbook. All rewards are available starting now through Saturday, June 27, or while supplies last. To claim, log in to a GeForce NOW account, head to the rewards section in the account portal and redeem. Keep It Heated Time to get heated. Armored battles get hero-driven in Wargaming’s free-to-play, player vs. player vehicle shooter, World of Tanks: HEAT, now streaming on GeForce NOW. World of Tanks: HEAT is the franchise’s first hero-driven tank action game, where powerful Agents and their experimental machines shape every fight. Fast-paced 5v5 and 10v10 matches erupt into high-velocity brawls as hero-enhanced tanks trade explosive bursts, clutch escapes and momentum-shifting abilities. Each Agent brings a unique tool kit and vehicle lineup, layering team roles and synergy on top of sharp aim and smart positioning. It’s classic steel-on-steel combat with a hero-shooter twist, now available in the cloud. The next match is always just a quick deployment away on GeForce NOW. Keep It Playing Community stories take the spotlight this week as an Ultimate member on Reddit shares a heartfelt note about what GeForce NOW means to daily gaming. In addition, members can look for the following: Romestead (New release on Steam, May 26) World of Tanks: HEAT (New release on Steam, May 26) 007 First Light (New release on Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, available on the Microsoft store, May 26) Starminer (New release on Steam, May 27) Resident Evil Requiem Demo (New release on Steam, May 27) Alchemy Factory (Steam) BeamNG.drive (Epic Games Store) Ostranauts (Steam) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. nvidia geforce now delivers such flawless performance, it is possible to exert dominance upon the squad ‘w/ absolute precision & @ ease' ♡ more about @nvidiagfn @ https://t.co/pFHAv1zXRS https://t.co/q67SOJNpbO #nvidiapartner #geforcenow pic.twitter.com/NsiK3FIX6v — airie (@airiesummer) May 22, 2026

Title: License to Stream: ‘007 First Light’ Coming to GeForce NOW With an Ultimate Bundle Date: Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:22 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-007-first-light-ultimate-bundle/ The mission begins now. GeForce NOW is dialing up the action with a blockbuster mix of spy thrills, high-speed racing and member rewards — plus eight new games joining the cloud this week, all ready to stream instantly. Leading the drop: the 007 First Light Ultimate Membership Bundle, which brings a brand-new way to jump into one of the year’s biggest releases and discover James Bond’s reimagined origin story. Rev the engines — the Horizon Festival is calling. Forza Horizon 6 is now available on GeForce NOW — bringing the series’ signature open-world racing and festival energy directly to members, wherever they play. Stream a world built for speed, style and freedom instantly across devices, with no downloads required. Step Into the Cloud of Espionage A license to stream. A mission worth accepting arrives. Starting today through Wednesday, June 10, 007 First Light is included with the purchase of a 12-month GeForce NOW Ultimate membership. Lock it in before the game’s launch, and it’ll be ready to play the moment it goes live on Wednesday, May 27 — no preloads, no waiting, no mission briefings required. This is a new, original take of Bond’s story — before the tux fit perfectly and the martinis got specific. 007 First Light drops players into a sharp, cinematic origin story packed with globe-trotting espionage, close calls and choices that shape how the world’s most famous agent takes form. Expect stealth, spectacle and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Stream it all with GeForce RTX 50 Series GPU power in the cloud, with up to 5K high dynamic range and cinematic-quality streaming for Ultimate members. It’s high-end PC gaming, minus the high-end PC. Redeeming the mission is simple: After purchase, get the game by going to the “Available to Redeem” section in the account portal, signing in to a Steam account and completing the redemption. The game is for members to keep — and ready to play across devices at launch with GeForce NOW. Welcome to the Festival Engines roar. Crowds surge. The road stretches endlessly forward. Forza Horizon 6 is the ultimate automotive playground — a shared world where racing, exploration and creativity come together. Every road, trail and skyline is designed to be driven, discovered and mastered. Take on a wide range of events, from high-speed street races to off-road expeditions, or drop into live activities happening across the world. Build a garage of iconic cars spanning decades of automotive history, each brought to life with incredible detail and customization. The Horizon Festival is more than competition — it’s a celebration of car culture and music. Seamless online features connect players across events and challenges, making every session feel alive and unpredictable. Powered by the cloud, GeForce NOW delivers the festival in stunning detail. Members experience ultrasmooth performance and vivid environments without needing to wait for installs or upgrading hardware. With technologies like NVIDIA DLSS enhancing performance and visual fidelity, every reflection, speed blur and finish-line sprint hits at full intensity. Community Spotlight Community-created content takes the spotlight this week, as GeForce NOW ambassador Cloud Gaming Battle sits down with Andrew Fear, GeForce NOW product manager director at NVIDIA, to dive into what makes the service tick. The conversation covers how GeForce NOW brings high-performance PC gaming from the cloud to a wide range of devices, giving a closer look at the tech, thinking and passion behind the platform. It’s a conversation that the GFN Reddit community is calling “genuinely inspirational.” In addition, members can look for the following: Forza Horizon 6 (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, May 19) Deep Rock Galactic: Rogue Core (New release on Steam, May 20) Luna Abyss (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, May 21) Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II (New release on Steam, May 21) ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies (New release on Steam, May 21) Splitgate Arena Reloaded (Xbox, Available on Game Pass) Sunderfolk (Epic Games Store) TerraTech Legion (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. Rev your engines — the Horizon Festival is calling. @ForzaHorizon 6 is now streaming on GeForce NOW – stream a world built for speed in the cloud today. pic.twitter.com/hJuKFT2GZp — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) May 19, 2026

Title: Sea You in the Cloud: ‘Subnautica 2’ Early Access Dives Onto GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 14 May 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-subnautica-2/ Editor’s note: The Gaijin single sign-on feature is now up and running. Dive masks on — Subnautica 2 is making a splash on GeForce NOW day-and-date with launch, so members can plunge into the title’s brand-new alien ocean from almost any device. It leads 11 new games joining the cloud this week. A limited-time HITMAN World of Assassination reward event brings signature tools of the trade — equal parts precision and unpredictability. At the same time Le Chiffre from CASINO ROYALE, played by the legendary actor Mads Mikkelsen, returns to HITMAN World of Assassination. Play for free through May 25 and earn a unique reward for 007 First Light. Meanwhile, engines are already revving — the highly anticipated Forza Horizon 6 races onto the scene with early access, starting today for players who preordered the Premium Edition on Steam or purchased the Premium Upgrade Bundle for PC Game Pass. GeForce NOW members can jump in once early access becomes available on the service — no preinstalls or downloads needed.  It all highlights what GeForce NOW does best: turning PC gaming collections into play-anywhere experiences across devices, with no install, updates or the latest hardware required.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Making Waves Explore the unknown with the cloud. Jump into a shared-world ocean frontier in Subnautica 2 — where survival, exploration and creativity rise to the surface together. Every reef, trench and stormy horizon is crafted to be swum through, studied and slowly tamed as players chart their own course beneath alien waves. Descend into a living seascape of dynamic ecosystems, mysterious ruins and creatures that range from curious to colossal. Take on story-driven missions, dive into resource-rich biomes and construct bases above and below the surface to turn hostile waters into a home. Whether playing solo or with a crew, the ocean stays vast and unpredictable. On GeForce NOW, every current, glow and shadow streams with crisp detail and fluid performance straight from the cloud. Members can plunge into the depths in moments, skipping downloads and hardware upgrades.  Keep It Classy Shaken, stirred and slightly unhinged. Suit up, agent — things are getting a little explosive. A new HITMAN World of Assassination reward event lands on GeForce NOW, giving members a stylish (and slightly unhinged) way to make an impression. Each item leans into HITMAN’s signature tone — equal parts precision, chaos and dark humor. Here’s what’s waiting: Free users: The Purple Streak Explosive Duck — a remote explosive disguised as an innocent rubber toy. Performance members: The Purple Streak Explosive Duck and the Bomb Dynamite, a classic TNT bundle built for loud, messy exits. Ultimate members: Full Ultimate Bundle — adds the Purple Streak Fiber Wire (a sleek, silent takedown tool) and the Purple Streak Swimwear Suit (a bold outfit that trades stealth for style) to the Purple Streak Explosive Duck and the Bomb Dynamite. Starting today, all members get access to the rewards, which will remain available through Sunday, June 14, first come, first served. To claim, log in to a GeForce NOW account, head to the rewards section in the account portal and redeem.  One mission, a handful of questionable tools and a clear message: Stealth is optional, style is not. Splashy New Games In addition, members can look for the following: Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes (New release on Steam, May 11) Outbound (New release on Steam, May 11) Directive 8020 (New release on Steam, May 12) Subnautica 2 (New release on Steam, Epic Games Store and Xbox, available on Game Pass, May 14) Blades of Fire (New release on Steam, May 14) Forza Horizon 6 (Early access on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass, May 14) Disco Elysium (Xbox, available on Game Pass) Oddsparks: An Automation Adventure (Epic Games Store) Planet Coaster 2 (Epic Games Store) Sudden Strike 5 (Steam) Super Battle Golf (Steam) The Gaijin single sign-on feature is coming soon and is currently in development with Gaijin. Updates will be shared in a future GeForce NOW Thursday once the feature is live. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.   Which gaming genres do you play the most? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) May 13, 2026  

Title: Linked and Loaded: Gaijin Single Sign-On Now Available on GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 07 May 2026 13:00:27 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-gaijin-sso/ Less typing, more tanking. Faster logins mean more time in the gaming action — and this week provides GeForce NOW members with a smoother path straight into the battlefield. Cloud gaming is all about instant access to titles across devices, and the latest GeForce NOW update removes another layer for members jumping into their Gaijin libraries from anywhere. With seven games joining the cloud this week, the action keeps growing — now backed by NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 performance for Ultimate members across nearly the full GeForce NOW library, spanning both Ready-to-Play and Install-to-Play titles. One Gaijin Login to Rule Them All Less typing, more tanking. Gaijin account linking is now cleared for takeoff on GeForce NOW, making it easier to jump straight into battle without extra logins. With Gaijin single sign-on, one quick sign-in connects a Gaijin.net account to the cloud, so supported titles are ready to launch with fewer clicks and no password juggling. Just head to the GeForce NOW app on PC or Mac, dive into the settings and log in under “Connections.” Once linked, supported Gaijin games on GeForce NOW — like the combined-arms chaos of War Thunder — are ready to stream without logging in each time. It’s the same library-first, platform-linking magic members already enjoy with Xbox, Ubisoft Connect and more, now extended to Gaijin so existing PC accounts work seamlessly across devices. Groovy New Games Groove or go down. Dead as Disco from Brain Jar Games drops players into a neon-soaked fever dream where every punch, dodge and takedown hits on the beat. This rhythm-infused brawler blends stylish combat with pulsing tracks, turning each fight into a dance floor showdown. Chain combos, stay in sync and keep the groove alive as the chaos escalates. Now available to stream on GeForce NOW, it’s all about timing, flair and fighting like the music never stops In addition, members can look for the following games, all ready to play on GeForce RTX 5080-power for Ultimate members: Dead as Disco (New release on Steam, May 5) HUNTDOWN: OVERTIME (New release on Steam, May 7) Nuclear Option (Steam) Sintopia (Steam) Kiln (Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass) Hotel Architect (Steam) PowerWash Simulator 2 (Xbox, available on Game Pass) What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below. What has been your most-played game so far this year? — NVIDIA GeForce NOW (@NVIDIAGFN) May 5, 2026

Title: (For Southeast Asia) PlayStation Store: May 2026’s top downloads Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:03:49 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/05/20260605-top/ It’s time to see which PS5, PS4, PS VR2, and free-to-play games topped last month’s download charts. In May, Mr. Bond does it again as 007 First Light topped the Asia charts for PS5,  while NTE: Neverness to Everness topped Asia’s Free to Play charts.  Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? PS5 Games AsiaUS/Canada007 First Light007 First LightNBA 2K26LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightResident Evil 4NBA 2K26Forza Horizon 5MLB The Show 26PRAGMATAGrand Theft Auto VDevil May Cry 5 Special EditionMinecraftGhost of YōteiCall of Duty: Black Ops 7Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered FateInvincible VSIt Takes TwoSarosGrand Theft Auto VCrimson DesertCrimson DesertForza Horizon 5Gran Turismo 7Mortal Kombat 1FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTHEA Sports Madden NFL 26The Witcher 3: Wild HuntMixtapeSplit FictionGhost of YōteiLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightMortal Kombat 11Hogwarts LegacyContent WarningResident Evil RequiemPragmataResident Evil VillageDirective 8020Diablo IVSea of Thieves *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games AsiaUS/CanadaRed Dead Redemption 2Star Wars Battlefront IIDevil May Cry 5Red Dead Redemption 2Devil May Cry HD CollectionDevil May Cry HD CollectionACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWNBatman: Arkham KnightA Way OutGang BeastsSEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICECall of Duty: Black Ops IIIOvercooked! 2Mortal Kombat XTEKKEN 7MinecraftShadow of the Tomb Raider: Definitive EditionDying LightGod of WarDevil May Cry 4Resident Evil 6The ForestMONSTER HUNTER: WORLDGrand Theft Auto VNBA 2K26A Way OutGod of War III RemasteredOvercooked 2Devil May Cry 4Resident Evil 6Batman: Arkham KnightCastle Crashers RemasteredNeed for Speed HeatGod of WarMinecraft DungeonsNBA 2K26Assassin’s Creed OdysseyFor HonorUNCHARTED: The Nathan Drake Collection PlayStation HitsResident Evil 5 *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR2 Games* AsiaUS/CanadaHorizon Call of the MountainI Am CatBeat SaberAlien: Rogue Incursion VRAlien: Rogue Incursion VRStar Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced EditionMaestroBeat SaberKayak VR: MirageCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionArizona Sunshine 2Job SimulatorCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionArizona Sunshine 2Little Nightmares VR: Altered EchoesAmong Us 3D: VRMetro AwakeningMoss VRCrossfire: Sierra SquadZero Caliber VR *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) AsiaUS/CanadaNTE: Neverness to EvernessFortniteRobloxRobloxWhere Winds Meet (F2P)NTE: Neverness to EvernesseFootballCall of Duty: WarzoneDelta Force (F2P)Marvel RivalsAsphalt LegendsApex LegendsPUBG: BATTLEGROUNDSTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessGenshin ImpactRocket LeagueWuthering WavesAsphalt LegendsFortniteFall Guys

Title: Hands-on report — Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:30:03 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/04/hands-on-report-ace-combat-8-wings-of-theve/ Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve begins with a losing war. After a lightning strike by the Republic of Sotoa, the armed forces of the Federation of Central Usea are struggling to survive — and as an FCU fighter pilot, you’re joining the remnants of a military that’s barely holding on. After playing through several of the campaign missions in Ace Combat 8, I got a sense of how developer Project Aces is telling its story of a desperate aircraft carrier crew trying to keep the battle going, and how you’ll rise to become a hotshot fighter ace, and a source of hope, for the embattled FCU. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The story of a war “hero” A propaganda campaign is at the center of Ace Combat 8’s story. When you first arrive aboard the aircraft carrier Endurance, you’re introduced to the plan to keep the FCU going: a social media blitz focused on a legendary pilot known as the Wings of Theve, named for the FCU’s capital city. But in truth, the Wings is just Rex, an amiable but ordinary pilot whose job is to serve as a figurehead and whose exploits are greatly exaggerated. His true orders are to make an appearance in every engagement, and then run away and stay alive. You join Rex as his navigator, but things don’t go well during that first mission; you’re shot down by enemy aces, and Rex is killed. But after you’re rescued, to keep the lie alive, you’re tasked with taking on the “Rex” callsign and playing the role of the Wings of Theve. Ace Combat 8 conveys all this story through immersive, first-person cinematics that are a new choice for the series — one that Brand Manager Kazutoki Kono said was inspired by the team’s work on the PlayStation VR modes in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The perspective adds a lot of emotional weight to Ace Combat 8, capturing the sense of struggle aboard the Endurance and the pressure of carrying the war’s morale on your back and commanding Joker Flight, Rex’s four-fighter team. Becoming a fighter ace Though your job as the Wings of Theve is initially just to stay alive, your presence and skills quickly change the tone for Joker Flight. When enemy fighters show up on your first mission, you quickly prove that the Wings of Theve can be more than just an inspiring ghost story. The Ace Combat series does a good job of keeping complex flight controls simple and easy to learn, so it doesn’t feel like you need flight sim-level knowledge to become a top gun. Fans of Ace Combat 7 will be right at home with Ace Combat 8, which maintains the experience from the 2019 game, but with some new bells and whistles thanks to the PS5 Dual Sense controller. Resistance in the haptic triggers adds intensity to accelerating with R2, decelerating with L2, and executing high-G turns by holding both, telegraphing through your hands how powerful your aircraft really is. Whether attacking other planes in the air or strafing targets on the ground, your goal is often to keep enemies in your sights long enough to lock on and fire missiles or special weapons with Circle or your machine gun with X. You can quickly swap lock-ons with Triangle to find new targets and swap weapons with Square. The controls are easy to pick up, but there’s complexity in flying your plane, and you’re going to need to build your skills to survive some of Ace Combat 8’s later sorties. Project Aces has very much avoided fixing anything that isn’t broken when it comes to gameplay, with battles feeling fast and chaotic as you dodge incoming missiles and try to line up your guns against enemy planes. With your comrades at your wing, you can also issue orders with the directional buttons, sending them to attack a specific target, allowing them to scatter and engage at will, calling them back to cover you, or telling them to switch to any special weapons you’ve equipped them with and go on the attack. At some points, you can also make story decisions about how the team will proceed. During one mission I played, you engage an enemy squadron filled with friends of Rex’s wingman, Professor. He asks you to avoid killing the pilots as you shoot them down, and you can choose whether to agree to that request. It doesn’t seem that your decisions will greatly alter how the story plays out, but Kono said choices like this, as well as how well you fare when you’re tasked with defending allied forces such as naval ships, can affect which characters survive into future missions and story beats. A series of desperate battles Ace Combat 8 shines in conveying the stakes of the war you’re fighting as your successes cause the legend of the Wings of Theve to grow — along with the hopes and expectations of your fellow soldiers. In one mission I previewed, the ragtag FCU forces work to take down a ridiculously huge, incredibly dangerous Land Battleship. The ship, which is basically a navy destroyer combined with a tank, is nearly indestructible, and the FCU plans to use trucks loaded with bombs to try to take out its treads. Your mission is first to protect the trucks, then attack the treads. Even on Ace Combat 8’s normal difficulty, the mission was tough — the Land Battleship is decked out with powerful rail guns, as well as anti-aircraft cannons and deployable drones. The fight takes place in a massive city center, so you not only have to dodge all sorts of incoming fire, but do your best not to crash into the buildings as well. The only hope to defeat the land battleship is for the FCU to demolish skyscrapers in the ship’s path, slowing it down and eventually trapping it. The mission really ratchets up the scale of the war and channels the emotions felt by the FCU’s forces. Radio chatter is nothing new to Ace Combat 8, but in all the missions I played, that chatter captures the chaotic and often desperate tone of the moment, as commanders, officers, soldiers on the ground, and your wingmen all fill the airwaves, issuing orders and reacting to what’s happening. As we arced around the land battleship, fighting interceptors and protecting the trucks, Ace Combat 8 not only used the chatter to convey critical mission info in the moment, it sold the story of frightened soldiers doing everything they can to stop an overwhelming force as they fought for their home. It’s that storytelling, coupled with fast-paced battles and memorable characters, that make grabbing the stick in Ace Combat 8 an exciting prospect. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve hits PlayStation 5 on October 2.

Title: PlayStation Store: May 2026’s top downloads Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:00:28 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/03/playstation-store-may-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 May, Mr. Bond did it again as 007 First Light topped the US and EU charts, while newcomer I Am Cat dominated the PS VR2 charts. Check out the full listings below. What titles are you playing this month? PS5 Games US/CanadaEU007 First Light007 First LightLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightLEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightNBA 2K26Grand Theft Auto VMLB The Show 26MinecraftGrand Theft Auto VNBA 2K26MinecraftForza Horizon 5Call of Duty: Black Ops 7Call of Duty: Black Ops 7Invincible VSCrimson DesertSarosMixtapeCrimson DesertSea of ThievesForza Horizon 5Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5Mortal Kombat 1Among UsEA Sports Madden NFL 26SarosMixtapeDirective 8020Ghost of YōteiResident Evil RequiemMortal Kombat 11Resident Evil 4Content WarningThe Witcher 3: Wild HuntPragmataStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorDirective 8020EA Sports FC 26Sea of ThievesDevil May Cry 5 Special Edition *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games US/CanadaEUStar Wars Battlefront IIRed Dead Redemption 2Red Dead Redemption 2Star Wars Battlefront IIDevil May Cry HD CollectionDevil May Cry HD CollectionBatman: Arkham KnightGang BeastsGang BeastsBatman: Arkham KnightCall of Duty: Black Ops IIIA Way OutMortal Kombat XHouse FlipperMinecraftThe ForestDying LightMinecraftDevil May Cry 4Grand Theft Auto VThe ForestDying LightGrand Theft Auto VUnravel TwoA Way OutOvercooked 2Overcooked 2The Last of Us RemasteredResident Evil 6Devil May Cry 4Castle Crashers RemasteredGod of WarGod of WarAssassin’s Creed OriginsNBA 2K26DescendersFor HonorUncharted: The Nathan Drake CollectionResident Evil 5Need for Speed Heat *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR2 Games* US/CanadaEUI Am CatI Am CatAlien: Rogue Incursion VRCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionStar Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced EditionAlien: Rogue Incursion VRBeat SaberStar Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge – Enhanced EditionCreed: Rise to Glory – Championship EditionJob SimulatorJob SimulatorBeat SaberArizona Sunshine 2Horizon Call of the MountainAmong Us 3D: VRMoss II VRMoss VRArizona Sunshine 2Zero Caliber VRMetro Awakening *PlayStation Store purchases only. Game upgrades or games bundled with hardware not included Free to Play (PS5 + PS4) US/CanadaEUFortniteFortniteRobloxNTE: Neverness to EvernessNTE: Neverness to EvernessRobloxCall of Duty: WarzoneRocket LeagueMarvel RivalsCall of Duty: WarzoneApex LegendseFootballTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessAsphalt LegendsRocket LeagueTom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege – Free AccessAsphalt LegendsFall GuysFall GuysVALORANT

Title: (For Southeast Asia) Marvel’s Wolverine: new gameplay, story details from State of Play  Date: Wed, 03 Jun 2026 01:58:28 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/02/20260603-marvel/ The wait is over! We have an all-new gameplay video for Marvel’s Wolverine, along with details about our gameplay, characters, and story from the recent State of Play. We’re also excited to announce you can pre-order Marvel’s Wolverine starting today.  But first, dive into our new trailer.  Play Video Setting the stage: our gameplay trailer  Let’s not mince words: Marvel’s Wolverine is a brutal, violent, and action-packed single-player adventure from our team at Insomniac Games, in collaboration with Marvel Games. It cuts deeper than claw combat alone, with an emotionally charged original story centered on a comic book icon: James “Logan” Howlett, aka Wolverine. To set up our Extended Gameplay Trailer, Logan is tailing a group of mutants that have been hunted and captured by the Reavers, a guns-for-hire cybernetic militia. The Reavers have plans to deliver the mutants to their client, Bolivar Trask – a billionaire industrialist driven by a fanatical belief in human superiority. We also introduce another major player in Logan’s journey: Jean Grey, a powerful telekinetic and emergent leader of the captured mutants. View and download image "Jean lifts her right arm in front and left hand up to the side of her face as a bright, purple aura illuminates her hands and eyes. She’s gearing up to use her telekinetic powers." Download “Jean lifts her right arm in front and left hand up to the side of her face as a bright, purple aura illuminates her hands and eyes. She’s gearing up to use her telekinetic powers.” close Close Download this image The situation is dire and help is limited. Mutants live in the shadows fearful of those hunting them, while the rest of society lives unaware of their existence. The only ones potentially capable of protecting their own is Team X, a last-stand mutant task force facing its darkest hour, which Logan rejoins after leaving three years prior. For the mutants, the fight for survival is theirs alone. View and download image "Wolverine angrily slashes his right arm, fist, and claws upward; he’s splitting a Trask grunt’s gun in half. Meanwhile, Jean fights a Reaver on top of a truck just off in the background using her telekinetic powers." Download “Wolverine angrily slashes his right arm, fist, and claws upward; he’s splitting a Trask grunt’s gun in half. Meanwhile, Jean fights a Reaver on top of a truck just off in the background using her telekinetic powers.” close Close Download this image A slice of the action  In his search for the mutants, Logan crosses paths with unsuspecting Reavers. They’re armed to the teeth with advanced technology, equipped with lethal weapons and cybernetic implants. They’re ready for a fight… but so is Wolverine. He can stalk enemies, ambush from above, or shred through them with fast, fluid, and brutal claw attacks.  Drawn in by a frantic plea for help, Logan and Jean are compelled to team up against Trask’s hired guns, and they prove to be more than capable. Logan can carve into foes with special combat moves called “Techniques” such as the Tornado Spin and Bull Rush. Meanwhile, Jean obliterates enemies with her powerful telekinetic abilities, which presents a few opportunities for Critical Strikes. These are devastating finishing moves that Wolverine can execute solo or with other characters; they’re takedown opportunities worth looking out for during a frenzied fight. Every successful attack, parry, and kill will build up Logan’s Rage. This allows for stronger attacks or activating his Healing Factor to survive grievous body damage. If Logan’s Rage is pushed too far, he can unleash Rage Tier 3: a stylized monochromatic explosion of savagery inspired by Marvel Comics’ Black, White, and Blood series.  The overwhelmed Reavers retreat. But Logan can take this fight to go. In one of many set pieces, Wolverine tears through the highway on a motorcycle where he can take out trucks, slash tires, and hurl enemies off the road. He also leaps to different vehicles fighting anything the Reavers throw at him, including powerful Brutes. Bloodied, battered, and on the brink of defeat? Wolverine can channel his rage and kick into Last Stand to activate his Healing Factor; he can live to fight another day and show everyone why he’s the best there is. View and download image "Wolverine lunges forward, claws at the ready, at a Reaver. Both are fighting on top of a truck. The rest of the Reaver convoy surrounds them in the background." Download “Wolverine lunges forward, claws at the ready, at a Reaver. Both are fighting on top of a truck. The rest of the Reaver convoy surrounds them in the background.” close Close Download this image Our accessibility  Additionally, we’re delighted to confirm that Marvel’s Wolverine will feature a comprehensive list of accessibility options at launch. It’s a longstanding part of our development process at Insomniac Games to create features that provide assistance for players with cognitive, visual, auditory, and motor disabilities. You can cut over to our Support website for a detailed list of features coming to Marvel’s Wolverine at launch here. September 15, 2026 is our date. Pre-order today*  Save the date. Marvel’s Wolverine arrives September 15, 2026, on PlayStation 5. You can pre-order now to secure access to these early unlock bonuses and PS Avatars via the PlayStation Store or at participating retailers**. In Thailand, pre-order for disc version will begin on June 4, 2026. Marvel’s Wolverine – Pre-order Bonuses Early Access Suit: Classic Brown Early Access Claws: Reflective Claws 1 Additional Technique Point 4 PS Avatars Unleash your full potential with the Digital Deluxe Edition (SGD 99.90 / MYR 399 / IDR 1,349,000 / THB 2,690 MSRP). This version includes exclusive suits, claws, and more technique points to get you started faster! To note, the suits and claws are purely cosmetic.  Marvel’s Wolverine – Digital Deluxe Edition  Marvel’s Wolverine Digital Game All Pre-Order Bonuses 5 Exclusive Suits Incredible Savage Age of Apocalypse Night Hunt New Leather 5 Exclusive Claws Smooth-Edged Claws Hollow Blade Claws Thick Claws Serrated Spine Claws Tapered Claws 3 Additional Technique Points Not only will you have a variety of looks to choose from, but you’ll also have an assortment of claws to unlock in Marvel’s Wolverine. You can gain access to them in the base game through standard progression, with exclusive items offered only through the Digital Deluxe Edition. But we’ll share more about our suits and claws at a later date. Speaking of which… View and download image "Sabretooth angrily snarls, showing his teeth. He has long blonde hair dangling off the side of his head; fire is behind him as embers fall in the foreground." Download “Sabretooth angrily snarls, showing his teeth. He has long blonde hair dangling off the side of his head; fire is behind him as embers fall in the foreground.” close Close Download this image ** Pre-order is also available for Standard Disc Edition (SGD 89.90 / MYR 299 / IDR 1,169,000 / THB 2,290 / PHP 4,099 / VND 1,799,000). Expect more soon We have several teases closing our trailer too, including more intense battles, suits, enemy factions, and characters…. was that Sabretooth!? There’s plenty left to share about Marvel’s Wolverine on our road to launch, so pre-order today and keep up with @InsomniacGames on social media for future updates. Fortunately, the wait won’t be long… Stay tuned! On behalf of Insomniac Games and our collaborators at PlayStation and Marvel Games… thanks for reading!

Title: State of Play June 2026: all announcements, trailers Date: Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:56:42 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/06/02/state-of-play-june-2026-all-announcements-trailers/ Today’s State of Play packed in over 60 minutes of updates, announcements, and reveals. It opened with a closer look at Marvel’s Wolverine and concluded with the reveal of God of War Laufey. Between those two heavyweights, a barrage of release dates, fresh looks, and surprises. The rest of your 2026 is looking stacked (and action packed!) with Control Resonant, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Silent Hill: Downfall amongst others all confirming launch dates for later this year. And 2027? Shaping up quite nicely as well.  As ever, you can rewatch the show in full below. After that, get the headlines for every game announced during its runtime, watch their full trailers, and discover more about these upcoming titles with deep dives into story, gameplay and more in a selection of dedicated PlayStation Blog articles, written by the games’ creators*.  Play Video Play Video Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve  Bandai Namco’s aerial combat sim takes flight on PS5 October 2 this year. It promises a thrilling campaign and new tactical maneuvers to tackle enemy aircraft and ground targets, as well as encounters against colossal continental transport aircraft and land-based ships. 30 different aircraft, including real-world fighters and fictional models, will be yours to pilot.  Find out more: Meet your squadron and get first details on the game’s different launch editions.  Play Video Bancho The Chef  Find the flavour of becoming a sushi master in Bancho The Chef, cooking sim meets global-trotting RPG in an all-new standalone prequel to Dave the Diver. Cook meals to customer satisfaction to raise restaurant reputations the world over, while learning techniques from each locale’s culinary master. Like the dishes he creates, Bancho isn’t confined to a single flavor of genre: fish, pet cats, take on cooking requests, and more.  Find out more: Mintrocket explains how it’s using PS5 DualSense controller features to make your cooking skills sizzle.  Play Video Control Resonant Control Resonant launches globally on PlayStation 5 September 24. To celebrate, Remedy shares a brand-new Story Trailer, offering a deeper look into a world no longer bound by rules we understand. A Manhattan warped by paranatural forces: its architecture impossible, its realities shifting, its streets stalked by monstrous entities. For Dylan to push deeper into the city, he must master both his evolving abilities and the raw power of his shapeshifting weapon, the Aberrant.  Find out more: The studio discusses how existential threats and complicated pasts collide, as well as the return of Jesse Faden. Play Video Dune Awakening Arrakis awaits. Dune: Awakening, the open world survival game set in one of science fiction’s most iconic universes, is coming to PlayStation 5 on September 22. This definitive version of the game features a brand new single-player mode, a new chapter in its cinematic storyline, and countless more additions, and improvements.  Play Video Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered Break out your calendar and get ready to slice a reminder mark on there. The modern day revival of both Dynasty Warriors 3 and Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends roars onto PS5 later this year on October 1.  Play Video God of War Laufey Experience the next chapter of the legendary God of War franchise – for both new and returning fans. Death was supposed to be the end, but for Laufey (Faye), warrior and wife to Kratos, a new adventure is just beginning. To save the ones she loves, Faye must fight through the afterlife of the gods in a land overflowing with dangerous magic. God of War Laufey is coming to PlayStation 5. Find out more: First gameplay and story details of the next mainline chapter in Santa Monica Studio’s series, coming to PS5. Play Video Marathon Runners, Season 2 is live today, bringing a fresh start where everyone can explore what’s new and chart their path through the season together. Interested in joining them? Marathon’s Open Play Week runs June 2 to June 9, no PlayStation Plus membership required, opening Tau Ceti IV to newcomers and lets them get to grips with the sci-fi shooter’s taut-extraction gameplay and tense, high-stakes PvP and PvE battles.  Play Video MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls delivers numerous announcements in today’s show. Three new characters join the roster: powerful mutant Magneto, archenemy of Spider-Man Green Goblin, and the brutally aggressive and utterly merciless Carnage. Joining Doctor Doom they form the Knights of Doom, who’ll impact events in the game’s Episode Mode.  Find out more: The new characters’ movesets, stage reveal and more detailed by the studio. Play Video Marvel’s Wolverine Insomniac Games shares a brutal, violent, and action-packed look at its upcoming single-player adventure Marvel’s Wolverine. Alongside a closer look at Logan’s ferocious combat techniques, the studio gave us a glimpse at some of the characters who you’ll encounter as part of mutant task force Team X. That includes powerful telekinetic Jean Grey, who Logan teams up with for some devastating takedowns of the cybernetic, mutant-hunting Reavers.  Find out more: Get a closer look at aggressive combat techniques, character reveals, pre-order incentives and more with Insomniac Games in a new PS Blog article as we count down towards the game’s September 15 launch.  Play Video ILL First-person action horror ILL creeps into State of Play for a tantalising, terrifying taste of its grim story, unpredictable monsters, a visceral dismemberment system, and realistic physics, all intent to create an atmosphere of relentless terror. Strap in.  Play Video Kemuri Unseen is a Tokyo-based game studio led by Ikumi Nakamura, and today they unveiled their new project: stylish supernatural adventure Kemuri, which is coming to PS5 in 2027. In the chaotic world of Kemuri City, life and death coexist. Players will confront the paranormal as they explore a sprawling vertical city, traversing rooftops, back alleys, and hidden ruins alone or in online co-op with up to two other players, and form contacts with powerful yokai that’ll unlock new abilities and outfits.  Find out more: Unseen unpack the backstory of its new world, and how its paranormal apparel will work.  Play Video No Rest for the Wicked From Moon Studios, the award-winning creators of Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, comes No Rest for the Wicked. This unique, visceral action-RPG is built for solo players and co-op squads alike, and is set in a hand-crafted world with Souls-like combat. The game hits PS5 this October and features 100+ hours of content, new powerful weapons, new bosses and enemies, new areas to explore, and a completely reimagined class system. Play Video Onimusha: Way of the Sword Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches September 25 on PS5… and a demo of the supernatural sword-fighting adventure is out today! The PS5 demo features around 30 minutes of the early story, and lets you get to grips with the game’s essential techniques such as Parry, Deflect, Issen, Oni Armament, absorbing souls, and more.  Find out more: Capcom breaks down the latest Story trailer and details the game’s different launch editions as pre-orders go live. Play Video Phantom Blade Zero The fast-paced action RPG left us breathless with its State of Play reveal, dropping in to announce that it’ll headline a dedicated State of Play later this summer, which will fully delve into the features, mechanics and story to arm you for its launch on PS5 October 29.  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 PlayStation Plus Several new titles are PlayStation Plus-bound! Firstly, open-world survival game, Runescape: Dragonwilds is coming to PS5 in the future as a day one Game Catalog title, bringing with it a rich fantasy world that you can explore and enjoy alone or with friends.  PlayStation Plus Premium members can enjoy a trio of games over the coming months. Colorful action-rhythm tunes with Gitaroo Man, available later this month, Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy in July, and Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams in August**.  Play Video Rayman Legends Retold  Rayman Legends Retold is a 3D reimagining of the iconic multiplayer platformer, launching on PS5 October 1, bringing new content and narrative twists. Fully voiced characters, expanded soundtrack, new and improved gameplay, with a rich selection of returning levels, a mysterious new realm, and four new musical stages… and of course, up to four players in couch co-op. Find out more: Further details on the reimagining, as well as the different launch editions.  Play Video Silent Hill Townfall Silent Hill: Townfall has a release date: September 24. To mark the moment, the PS5 horror introduces a new character and gameplay trailer in State of Play. In it, we get introduced to Zoe, an inhabitant of St. Amelia who Simon initially connects with over his CRTV device, as well as a terrifying new creature that will stalk him in the darkness of the Otherworld.  Find out more: The game’s creators delve into its PS5 features, as well the different launch editions as pre-orders open.  Play Video Stuntman: Hollywood Speed, pressure, and spectacle collide as you take on iconic moments inspired by TV and movie racing greats as a stunt performer. Each film is split into episodes, and each episode is a unique level with its own vehicle, and specific gameplay twists. From one episode to the next, the environment, pace, objectives, and scenes all change. Every film feels completely fresh, and stylish, precise driving and confident stunt work are rewarded handsomely.  Find out more: Gameplay features and some of the fan-favorite rides you’ll get behind the wheel of are detailed by the game’s creator. Play Video The Lost Wild Survive an island teeming with dinosaurs in this intriguing modern day survival horror title from Great Ape Games, launching 2027 on PS5. Flight, not fight, is key, as each dinosaur has been designed as an animal, not a monster, existing within the world with their own instincts, behaviors, and drives, and you’re forced to navigate a food chain where you no longer sit at the top. Find out more: The studio, including those that worked on Creative Assembly’s Alien: Isolation, dig further into the emergent gameplay systems it’s developing to make every encounter memorable and unique.  Play Video Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis  Crystal Dynamics and co-developer Flying Wild Hog return to Lara’s roots in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis sets foot on PS5 next February 12. To coincide with that release date announcement, Amazon Game Studios presented a whistle stop tour of highlights in the form of a new trailer, including gameplay segments from the iconic Peru Lost Valley, and the return of some familiar faces.   Find out more: Details on how the iconic locations and secrets are being rebuilt, as well as the game’s different launch editions.  Play Video Until Dawn 2 Today we announced an all-new PS5 sequel to the classic horror, developed by Firesprite Games. Until Dawn 2 is a standalone experience, featuring a brand new cast, a whole new world to explore, and gut-wrenching decisions that’ll shape your story. This time a crew of ghost hunters head to an abandoned tropical island for their TV network-funded debut episode. Intrigue and dangers await when it launches next year.  Find out more: The studio speak more about the story, the iconic butterfly effect and the return of the enigmatic Dr Hill, played once again by the fantastic Peter Stormare in a new PS Blog article.  *Release dates may vary by region and are subject to change. *PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup may differ by region. Please check PlayStation Store on release day for more information. 

Title: Is Microsoft's $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal paying off? Xbox boss Asha Sharma says it's "hard to say how to think about those decisions" Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:09:29 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/is-microsofts-69-billion-activision-blizzard-deal-paying-off-xbox-boss-asha-sharma-says-its-hard-to-say-how-to-think-about-those-decisions Just under 1000 days ago, or about two and a half years ago if you measure time like a normal person, Microsoft completed their acquisition of Activision Blizzard following a lengthy legal process. It cost $68.7 billion and meant Xbox's parent company now lorded over the likes of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. Not a small thing for the corporate behemoth to have done, then. Looking back in 2026, was it a shrewd move? Well, amid some bigging up of the series I just mentioned, current Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has said it's "hard to say how to think about those decisions". Read more

Title: Summer Game Fest 2026 livestream: Join our liveblog for all the main show and Day of the Devs announcements Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:55:19 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sgf-2026-livestream Our annual Summer Game Fest liveblog returns this evening, June 5th, for another up-to-the-minute updatening of all the news, trailers, and announcements unveiled during the Summer of Geoff’s main showcase. And, since it follows straight after, we’re sticking around for the indie-focused Day of the Devs. That’s - hang on - two liveblogs in one. Unprecedented, except for those times we did it before. Read more

Title: Gothic's remake is out today, adding new detail and awfulness to the 2001 RPG's bustling prison world Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:50:33 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/gothics-remake-is-out-today-adding-new-detail-and-awfulness-to-the-2001-rpgs-bustling-prison-world Hey you! You're finally awake – oh, hang on, I'm thinking of the other fantasy yarn in which you start out as a shackled prisoner. Today is release day for Alkimia Interactive and THQ Nordic's remake of Gothic, the 2001 first-person RPG from Piranha Bytes. It'll be live on Steam in a matter of hours, with a demo still available as of writing. While much plumped up with expanded questlines, more NPC routines, new traversal abilities and "modernized" combat, it's still broadly the same tale of a bunch of convicts trapped beneath a magic dome, quarrying ore to sell to a king who is waging an endless war against the orcs. That's the king in the intro cinematic, below, looking down at the orc's head in his fist like he can't quite remember how it got there. How long has he been carrying that head? Did he confuse it with his coffee mug at breakfast? Read more

Title: The Steam Machine and Steam Frame are shipping this summer, Valve confirm as the pair join the Verified program Date: Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:54:27 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-machine-and-steam-frame-shipping-this-summer-valve-confirm It's coming home. It's coming to your home (provided you've got the money and desire to buy it). The Steam Machine is coming to homes this summer, Valve have confirmed as they've added both the Machine and Steam Frame to their verified doodads program. Previously ushed back by ongoing RAM shortages, the pair are now following in the footsteps of the already released Steam Controller. Read more

Title: Lexispell is Balatro for people that love spelling bees and hate gambling Date: Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:54:53 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lexispell-is-balatro-for-people-that-love-spelling-bees-and-hate-gambling Game gets popular, games gets clones, that's just how the cookie crumbles. Vampire Survivors, Buckshot Roulette, Lethal Company; as soon as those games blew up, derivatives were a guarantee. This is true of Balatro too of course, a game which has produced so many clones that wildly swing between dealing with gambling in a tactful manner and outright just saying that it's good, actually. So how about a Balatro-like that forgoes the gambling, and asks you to whip out a dictionary instead? Read more