Title: PSA: Final Fantasy 14 Is Out Now On Nintendo Switch 2 But You Don’t Have To Buy It To Play Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:30:56 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/final-fantasy-14-free-trial-nintendo-switch-2-2000721658 Hope you have that meme memorized because it's relevant again; something something free trial something something

Title: Game Of Thrones Author George R. R. Martin Shares A Very Sad Note Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:45:10 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-author-george-r-r-martin-shares-a-very-sad-note-2000721660 The writer provided an intimate update on his life

Title: Electronic Arts Officially Belongs To Saudi Arabia, Private Equity, And Jared Kushner Now Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:19:04 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/electronic-arts-officially-belongs-saudi-arabia-jared-kushner-now-2000721666 With the closing of the market today comes the second-biggest acquisition in gaming history

Title: New Baldur’s Gate 3 Player Stats Prove You’re All Knife-Happy Bard Murderers Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:15:59 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/baldurs-gate-3-player-stats-alfira-murderers-dark-urge-2000721639 I want everyone involved brought up on charges

Title: I (18F) Have A Giant Wolf (???M) Following Me Around And Scaring Me For Fun Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:45:50 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/beast-of-reincarnation-koo-dog-wolf-teleport-abilities-2000721649 Beast of Reincarnation’s Koo is just trying to be included and then he smoke-bombs your ass

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: EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:27:24 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-has-officially-been-sold-and-what-comes-next-could-be-painful/ The blockbuster buyout of Electronic Arts has been completed, with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund taking ownership of the gaming giant in the biggest leveraged buyout (LBO) in the history of commerce. The $55 billion deal includes billions in debt for EA, which has prompted fears of massive cost-cutting with projected layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. Nothing has been confirmed as of yet, however. "This moment recognizes the extraordinary people whose creativity, ambition, and passion have made EA one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies," said EA CEO Andrew Wilson in the official announcement. "We're entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition. Together, we'll invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day." "Entertainment and sports are key areas of strategic focus for PIF, and are among the fastest growing and evolving sectors around the world," added PIF Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments Turqi Alnowaiser. "Together, the Consortium is uniquely positioned to be a long-term partner to EA's management team in driving sustained growth and innovation for EA and the industry." The PIF is buying EA alongside Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner's private equity firm Affinity Partners and investment company Silver Lake. The company's co-CEO, Egon Durban, was previously on the board of directors at the gaming company Unity. EA has gone private. EA announced the buyout back in September 2025, but it didn't close until today, August 4, due to the regulatory approval process. It was due to close earlier, but after Europe approved it in July, that set the stage for it to finally do so. PIF previously had a 9.9% stake in EA, and that's getting rolled into this deal. EA stockholders will get $210/share as part of the buyout, which represents a tidy 25% premium over the company's stock price on the last full day before the deal came to light and subsequently sent the price soaring. Now that the deal is done, EA is being removed from the public stock market. And with that, we'll have much less insight into how EA is operating from a financial perspective. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain CEO of the company, but it remains to be seen how long he may stick around. He became CEO in 2013 and has overseen a period of massive growth for EA, as the stock was trading around $27 when he became CEO. His remuneration has grown as well, with the latest company filings revealing Wilson was paid $38 million in total compensation in the previous fiscal year. In that same year, EA laid off many developers, including people who worked on the successful FPS Battlefield 6. Concerns Developers at BioWare said they feared that the RPG studio could be one of the first EA-owned companies to see cuts under the new ownership. BioWare is known, in part, for making pro-diversity games featuring inclusive storytelling and characters. Longtime BioWare writer Patrick Weekes, who was laid off in 2025, speculated that EA’s new owners, including the PIF, might want to avoid “gay stuff” and politics that the PIF’s leadership does not agree with. Developers working on The Sims have expressed ongoing concerns as well. Additionally, cosplayers raided EA’s California headquarters in protest of the deal. EA's $55 billion sale is not the biggest-ever gaming acquisition, as that record belongs to Microsoft, which paid $75.4 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard. The PIF already bought the mobile and social gaming giant Scopely (Monopoly Go) and Niantic's gaming division, including Pokemon Go, so this is just the latest massive move for the Kingdom. Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis said EA may look to “cut excess spending and rationalize the company’s workforce” to help bring in more money to address the debt. A report from Financial Times said EA might look to further bolster AI tools and technologies to help cut development costs and drive profitability. To be sure, EA had said it was already doing this, as are other companies who are embracing AI in an attempt to reduce costs. Mat Piscatella of Circana told GI.biz no one can say for sure what happens next for EA, but history may not be on EA’s side. “Leveraged buyouts have a certain history that generally hasn’t been great for the acquired companies,” he said. EA's final earnings report EA's latest earnings report, released on August 3, showed gains for revenue and profit in the April-June quarter. The company's net bookings of $1.35 billion increased $51 million year-over-year, but came in below analyst estimates. EA said increased sales of extra content for Apex Legends helped with the increase in bookings, as did full game and microtransaction sales for Battlefield 6. However, these gains were partially offset by lower sales of Split Fiction, which released during the same quarter the previous year. EA's earnings reports will no longer be made public now that the company has gone private. Some experts and industry veterans believe EA going private, and no longer needing to answer to public stakeholders, will lead to some benefits. Fiona Sperry was the top boss at EA’s Criterion Games and is now the CEO of Three Fields Entertainment. She said in an interview with GI.biz that, “I’d be really excited about the opportunity that going private would entail.” Publicly traded companies answer to their shareholders and are known to push games out the door to meet a quarterly earnings deadline. In a private setup, a company like EA could–in theory–change how it releases games. “However experienced you are, the reality of game development means that you’re often having to compromise your game to hit a date–a date you most often had to commit to long before you’ve finalized the design,” she said. “You have to design to the date rather than the other way round. And it’s really hard to do that when you’re trying to innovate.” “EA has amazing creative teams and hopefully this will give them the chance to really utilise that creativity and take some risks. Don’t get me wrong–dates are important for focusing everyone–but sometimes you just need more time,” she added. Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis said EA going private means the company is no longer beholden to the market at large and subject to everything that comes with being a publicly traded company. This, in turn, could allow EA to focus less on meeting quarterly financial targets and more on “long-term strategies and investments.” Of course, the investor consortium acquiring EA will surely have its own performance targets and demands that EA meets–not to mention the aforementioned debt to address–though the setup won’t be the same as when a company is available on the open market.

Title: Riftbound Directors Says Game Used To Be A Lot Like Magic: The Gathering–Until Players Rejected It Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:56:48 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/riftbound-directors-says-game-used-to-be-a-lot-like-magic-the-gathering-until-players-rejected-it/ In recent years, the trading card game (TCG) environment has seen a boom of new games entering the market. There are still genre mainstays, like Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, which continue to receive support and feature a thriving secondhand market. However, new original IP TCGs like Flesh and Blood and Sorcery are making rounds at the local game store level and beyond. But licensed IP TCGs, like One Piece and the upcoming Cyberpunk TCG, have also taken the tabletop world by storm. Riftbound, the League of Legends trading card game, is no exception. After releasing late last year (at least in English), Riot Games' popular TCG has developed quite a large fanbase, leading to a massive presence at Gen Con in Indianapolis. GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell was present during the show, and got the chance to sit down with Riftbound game director Dave Guskin, who explained that the Riftbound team is much smaller than you'd think. With such a small team, you have to wonder what other games the team looked to for guidance. Resource systems, which are costs you'll typically pay to play or activate cards, are present in most TCGs. Guskin, who worked previously as a designer on Magic: The Gathering (and is also a big fan of the game), took inspiration from that game's mana system. "[I'm] a big fan of Magic's [mana system]," he explains. "I actually thought, 'Okay, we're going to start with the resources in the deck. That's the appropriate amount of variance for game variety.' We tried it with players and they completely rejected it. They were like, 'This is horrible. I don't want to not play this game.'" "So then I was like, 'Well, I'm not the right person to design this resource system,'" Guskin continued. "I recruited my two designers, Dave and Jon, who had joined shortly after the start, [and said], 'You've got to find a better resource system.' They tried like 10 or 12 different systems. Then they found one they liked, brought it to me, and were like, 'Okay, you're going to hate this,'" referring to Riftbound's Rune resource system. "[They told me,] 'So what you do is you get rid of your own resources,'" Guskin explained. "And I was like, 'I hate it'. They're like, 'No, no, you've got to play it.' And as you saw, when you actually play it, you're like, 'Wow, this is actually pretty cool.' So that was all them--they were amazing at making that system. And now it's one of the things that TCG players of other games say they like the most about Riftbound." In Riftbound, Runes operate similarly to Magic's lands in that you'll "tap" them (or exhaust, in this case) to pay a cards cost. But cards in Riftbound will often have two costs: Power and Energy. The Energy cost is represented by the top-most, colorless number in the upper left corner of a card, while the Power cost--which is also locationed in the upper left corner of the card but below Energy--is tied to one of Riftbound's six Domains (think Magic's colors). To pay a Power cost, you have to recycle a Rune of that Domain, which means placing it on the bottom of your 12-card Rune deck, referencing the two designers' "get rid of your own resources" pitch to Guskin. Riftbound is nearing its one year mark since its English release, with its fourth expansion Vendetta having recently hit store shelves. This week also marks the game's biannual State of the Game updates, which details changes coming to organized play, upcoming products, and next year's roadmap.

Title: Mistfall Hunter Has Made Me A Believer In Extraction Games Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:41:44 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mistfall-hunter-has-made-me-a-believer-in-extraction-games/ Mistfall Hunter is a fascinating mix of games. On the one hand, it’s a dark fantasy action-RPG with some deep class-building and light souls-like mechanics. On the other, it’s a PvEvP third-person battle royale that sits firmly in the extraction shooter genre. Typically, I’d avoid the latter kind of game, as my low vision makes shooters difficult for me to play, but for some reason, I just can’t get enough of developer Bellring Games’ take on the extraction shooter. In fact, Mistfall Hunter is changing my mind on the genre as a whole. Mistfall Hunter is taking the internet by storm, with a concurrent player count surpassing 40,000 on Steam after its July 29 launch. Its formula is familiar to anyone with any experience in the extraction genre. You drop into a world, kill some baddies, and hunt for loot, while other players hunt for you. Your goal is to get out before you're stuffed into a grave and your booty is plundered. It’s a recognizable gameplay loop, but what makes this game so compelling is how it turns the extraction shooter into an extraction brawler. Instead of long-ranged firefights with pistols and rifles, you enter a dark fantasy setting filled with Lovecraftian horrors and skeletal jerks, and are forced to do battle with swords and shields. Sure, you can still engage in ranged combat with the archer and sorcerer classes, but Mistfall Hunter is at its best when you’re fighting in tight spaces with leather and steel.  The mechanics, reminiscent of souls-likes such as Elden Ring and Lords of the Fallen, bring a melee-focused intensity that demands careful positioning and considered character specialization: elements that you don’t often see in other extraction games like Arc Raiders and Escape from Tarkov. And because there are characters to interact with and quests to complete as you embark on your journey, either solo or in a group of three, there is more story progression alongside the loot-collecting.  It’s giving single-player action-RPG with a multiplayer environment as the backdrop, and I love it. More Than Another Extraction Game I've always wanted to enjoy extraction shooters. I’m enamored by the frenetic combat and frightful extraction of the genre, and I’m just a sucker for some good loot, too. But my low vision--brought on by a rare eye condition called keratoconus means terrible depth of field and even worse perception. I often end up filled with bullets before I even see who shot me--especially in multiplayer shooters. This is why I don’t play the likes of Call of Duty games anymore; I just can’t compete with the sweaters in those lobbies.  And so, despite being interested in games like Hunt: Showdown or Marathon, I skip them, and games like them, because of my horrible aim and the toxicity players express in voice chat when you “suck” at a game. Mistfall Hunter, however, actually gives me the opportunity to compete in a competitive environment because it doesn’t rely on pixel-perfect shooting accuracy. It's an extraction brawler that puts a greater emphasis on close-quarters encounters, and since I'm the type of girl who has beaten many hardcore single-player RPGs over the years (such as Lies of P and Nioh 3), I trust my ability to swing a sword far more than my skill with shooting a gun. You have to face me one-on-one. And one-on-one, I stand a chance.  That’s what I love most about the game. Someone as blind as me can be a threat with a big sword. I’m like that fictional blind samurai Zatoichi, or even that Sengoku-era swordsman Toda Seigen. Hell, thinking about swinging a sword while blind is reminiscent of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’s Chirrut Îmwe, and honestly, who doesn’t like a badass martial artist who’s whooping your ass with little to no eyesight? When An Entire Genre Finally Clicks As I play more Mistfall Hunter, trying to level up my Withered Knight to the max so I can unlock every ability and become a true terror on the battlefield, I find my curiosity surrounding the extraction genre reignited. There have been myriad other extraction games that have launched since Escape from Tarkov put the genre on the map with an extended closed beta in 2017. Arena Breakout: Infinite, Dark and Darker, Delta Force, The Mound: Omen of Cthulu, and so many more have caught my eye in recent years, but most--if not all--of these games are first-person shooters. Maybe I’ll still give them a shot, despite knowing just how bad my aim is and how awful players will be. Mistfall Hunter has truly made me reconsider my relationship with an extraction game, as well as my thoughts on what an extraction game could be. Like, what if there were an extraction mecha game where you pilot a gundam-esque robot, embarking on scavenger missions for parts while battling against crazed AI, rebel pilots, and other players? Armored Core 6: Fires Of Rubicon but an extraction game. Maybe there could be an extraction racer that demands you be the first one to reach the withdrawal point before an EMP immobilizes your car and some deadly mist suffocates you in the driver's seat, kind of like Pacific Drive. Or maybe--and hear me out--someone builds an extraction cooking game. Collect the ingredients, cook the dish, and serve it to patrons with the quickness so that you can clock out before your competitors? I’m just spitballing, but Mistfall Hunter’s unique spin on the extraction genre creates room for other forms of experimentation. I think the potential is endless, and I can’t wait to see what other developers end up doing now that Bellring Games has introduced the extraction brawler as a subgenre to the larger extraction game formula. For now, I’ll just keep swinging my big sword with my low vision as I collect tons of loot and search for an exit. Maybe I’m hitting the air in the process, but know that I’m definitely coming for you.

Title: How To Cancel PlayStation Plus Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:17:29 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-to-cancel-playstation-plus/ Life is expensive these days. If you're looking to cut back on spending and want to do away with your PlayStation Plus membership, it's very easy to do so. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to cancel PlayStation Plus, just like there are numerous reasons for cancelling Xbox Game Pass. Below you can find instructions on how to cancel PlayStation Plus, as shared by PlayStation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiwBu7M023s How to cancel PlayStation Plus from the internet Sign in to Account Management. Select Subscription from the menu on the left of the screen.  Select Cancel Subscription next to PlayStation Plus. How to cancel PlayStation Plus from your PS5 Go to Settings > Users and Accounts. Select Account > Payment and Subscriptions > Subscriptions > PlayStation Plus. Select Cancel Subscription. How to cancel PlayStation Plus from your PS4 Go to PlayStation Plus > Manage Membership > Subscription. Select Cancel Subscription. When you cancel PlayStation Plus, you'll retain member benefits until the end of the current billing cycle. However, after that, you'll lose access to the service's numerous perks including monthly games, online multiplayer, and online storage support, among other things. August brings with it some pretty great additions to PlayStation Plus, including the critical darling Big Walk--which we called one of the best co-op games of all time--along with Dying Light 2 and Signalis. Sony recently upset gamers by announcing that it will stop supporting physical game discs starting in January 2028. The data clearly shows that digital adoption is rising, but plenty of people still love physical discs. Sony continues to sell many millions of physical game discs annually, but experts believe Sony wants to exert more power and control over users and is ushering in an all-digital future on PlayStation leading into the PS6 era.

Title: Turns Out, The Team Behind Riftbound Is Shockingly Small Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:15:41 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/turns-out-the-team-behind-riftbound-is-shockingly-small/ During last week's Gen Con, Riftbound, the League of Legends trading card game (TCG), boasted a massive presence. Fans were able to enter two different booths to get their hands on cards and exclusive merchandise, as well as meet some of the talent behind the game's creation and design. GameSpot was onsite for the show, and had the opportunity to interview Riftbound Game Director Dave Guskin, during which we learned that the team behind the popular TCG is significantly smaller that you might think. At the end of our time with Guskin, the longtime designer reflected on how the game isn't even a year old yet (referring to its English release in October of last year), saying, "It's been so wonderful to have the community grow around the game, and see what people love. I always say, our team is quite small compared to the player base. So we rely on that partnership between development and community to figure out what's awesome, what's not, and how to fix it". GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell, who conducted the interview, was intrigued by his mention of the team size. She went on to ask Guskin just how big the team actually is, and if Riftbound's creation was a concentrated effort or a case of a few team members with big ambitions. Gurskin confirmed it was the latter. "A little over two years ago, I want to say it was just me, my boss, and one analyst," Guskin said. "And we were just pitching the game to executives. We were like, 'Just give us a chance.' And they were like, 'Okay, you can have two more people.' So then we made the systems and we tested with players [with just five people]." As development ramped up, Guskin explained that Riot allowed a few more people to join the Riftbound team. Since then, the number has consistently grown, reaching what now feels like "huge growth," according to Guskin. "But it's still like less than 50 people across all functions of Riftbound, which is sort of crazy," he said. "I think we'll keep growing, which is awesome, but we've come at it from a very scrappy place. Like, 'Can make something really awesome for players, do it quickly, and do it without really having to do too much in the way of shooting for the moon, right?'" Guskin continued. "'Let's find something that we know players will love. Let's take stuff from Legends of Runeterra, from other strategy games at Riot, from the people who know how to make League of Legends champions in a different sort of game, and then get that out to players quickly, and then iterate.' So, I feel like it's been pretty crazy". Riftbound recently released its fourth expansion, Vendetta. Its biannual State of the Game updates are also continuing to roll out until August 5, in which they've laid out changes coming to the game's rules and card templates, its roadmap for 2027, and more.

Title: Marvel Tōkon Fighting Souls release time in your time zone Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 21:21:15 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/marvel-tokon-fighting-souls-release-time-when-edt-pdt/ Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Soulsis a four-vs-four tag-team fighter that will be released on Thursday, Aug. 6.

Title: Baldur's Gate 3 devs share more wild statistics, like what NPCs died the most Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:44:27 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/baldurs-gate-3-third-anniversary-statistics-npc-murder/ Baldur's Gate 3 just turned three years old, and developer Larian Studios celebrated by sharing a new batch of player statistics on social media. While none are as outrageous as last year's batch, when we learned 250,000 players gave Withers big naturals, they still offer interesting insights into player behavior, like how often Alfira winds up dead. Poor bard!

Title: EA's deal to go private under Saudi Arabia is officially complete Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:28:48 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/ea-owned-saudi-arabia-public-investment-fund-private-equity/ Electronic Arts is no longer a publicly traded company. The Madden maker was just purchased in a joint private equity deal by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake. The all-cash transaction is valued at $55 billion. EA announced the completion of the deal on Tuesday.

Title: Steam meme game made in days almost turns teen into a millionaire Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:10:29 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/steam-teen-meme-game-200-price-max-money-michael-major-dev/ Eighteen-year-old Michael Major wasn't expecting his silly game idea to blow up on Steam earlier this year. He had already published a variation of the same concept a couple of days prior, and that title didn't really find an audience. But when Major logged in to see how his new PC game was doing, he couldn't believe the numbers on his screen.

Title: 'Grand Theft Auto 6' Is to Blame for 'Danganronpa 2x2's Delay, but Not for the Reason You Think Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 19:16:44 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/danganronpa-2x2-writer-delayed-game-to-play-grand-theft-auto-6/ In the lead-up to Grand Theft Auto 6's long-awaited release this November, the rest of the games industry is getting out of the way as much as possible. The number of games delayed or moved away from a November release date continues to grow. Danganronpa 2x2 is one such game, and its developers are the first to admit that Grand Theft Auto 6 played a part in that decision.

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

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

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

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

Title: Joyride Through July With 12 Games Coming to GeForce NOW Date: Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:23 +0000 Link: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-july-2026-games-list/ Summer is heating up — and GeForce NOW is taking players along for the ride. Start the month with Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, bringing a galaxy far, far away to the iconic board-game franchise, alongside 12 new games joining the cloud this month.  Plus, don’t let the sun set on the biggest GeForce NOW savings of the year. Level up for less before the deals disappear. Light Side, Dark Side, Cloud Side  The Force is strong with this one. Rule the board, you must. Choose a side in Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains, the classic property-trading board game reimagined with legendary characters, locations and rivalries from across the Star Wars universe. Play as iconic heroes or infamous villains — each with unique abilities — to assemble a team and experience cinematic moments while competing with family and friends across locations from every era of the saga. Every roll of the dice brings new opportunities to build an empire and claim victory. GeForce NOW makes it easy to take the battle between the light and dark sides across nearly any device. Jump into a match on a low-powered PC, Mac, phone, TV, tablet or handheld device and keep the fun going across the galaxy. Check out what’s available this week: Monopoly: Star Wars Heroes vs. Villains (New release on Steam and Ubisoft, available June 30) Meccha Chameleon (Steam) And look forward to the games coming throughout the month: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced (New release on Steam and Ubisoft Connect, available July 9) Denshattack! (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 15) The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu (New release on Steam, available July 15) Heave Ho 2 (New release on Steam, available July 16) Fogpiercer (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 17) ZeroSpace (New release on Steam, available July 20) The Planet Crafter (New release on Xbox, Available on Game Pass July 21) Carnival Hunt (New release on Steam, available July 23) The Ranchers (New release on Steam, available July 30) Corsair Cove (New release on Steam and Xbox, available on Game Pass July 31) Juicy Extras From June In addition to the 18 games announced last month, 10 more came to the cloud.  Deer & Boy (Steam) DOOM Eternal (Epic Games Store) Embers of the Uncrowned Demo (Steam) EMPULSE (Steam) The Elder Scrolls Online (Xbox, available on Game Pass) NBA THE RUN (Steam) SAND: Raiders of Sophie (Steam) Voidling Bound (Steam) Witchspire (Steam) World of Tanks: HEAT (Wargaming) Last Call for Cloud Summer Savings The clock is ticking. Get gaming at the best price of the year. The final days of the GeForce NOW Summer Sale are here. Before the savings disappear, gamers can save $35 on a 12-month Performance membership or $70 on a 12-month Ultimate membership — unlocking GeForce RTX-powered gaming in the cloud across devices they already own. The Performance membership delivers smooth, high-quality gaming with RTX-powered servers, making it easy to jump into favorite titles across PCs, Macs, phones, handhelds and TVs. The Ultimate membership takes cloud gaming to the max with RTX 4080‑ or 5080‑class performance. Experience cinematic visuals, ultralow latency and responsive gameplay powered by technologies like NVIDIA DLSS, ray tracing and NVIDIA Reflex — all without the cost of a new gaming rig. Hear directly from the GeForce NOW Community. One GeForce NOW member recently called the Summer Sale “quite significant” after realizing the savings were even larger than expected in their local currency. By locking in a year of Ultimate, they calculated their monthly cost dropped from roughly 29 CAD to 17 CAD – showcasing how GeForce NOW continues to help gamers around the world enjoy the games they love, wherever they choose to play. Plus, check out this spreadsheet, made by a community member, featuring discounted games streaming on GeForce NOW  and build out a bigger library at the best bargains during the Steam Summer Sale. What are you planning to play this weekend? Let us know on X or in the comments below.

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Title: Almost 10,000 people have played Baldur's Gate 3 in a portrait aspect ratio, so join me in figuring out why they'd commit such sacrilege Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:31:26 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/almost-10000-people-have-played-baldurs-gate-3-in-a-portrait-aspect-ratio-so-join-me-in-figuring-out-why-theyd-commit-such-sacrilege The amount of time I spend thinking about aspect ratios would potentially be a cause for concern if it wasn't, admittedly, an unquestionably dull thing to think about for most people. Yet I continue to do so as the way we choose to frame any kind of image is an important one, as there are all manner of connotations to such a choice. In video games, we're even sometimes able to make that choice thanks to the power of the fabled "options menu." As it turns out, 9008 people made the choice to play Baldur's Gate 3 in 9:16, i.e. in portrait mode, and I would so desperately love to talk to each and every one of them about this decision. Read more

Title: The demo for 500 FINGER FILLET taught me that none of you should let me anywhere near a kitchen knife, also can someone call a doctor Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:12:32 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/the-demo-for-500-finger-fillet-taught-me-that-none-of-you-should-let-me-anywhere-near-a-kitchen-knife-also-can-someone-call-a-doctor I have learned something about myself today: I shouldn't be allowed near kitchen utensils. This is a problem because I am the cook of the house, and yet my time with the demo for 500 FINGER FILLET proves most unanimously that I am going to cut one, maybe more, of my fingers off. It feels like an inevitability, one I can't escape from, because I did in fact cut off almost every single finger on my left hand in 500 FINGER FILLET, an incredibly stressful roguelite where you only need to click your left mouse button. Read more

Title: This Game Costs 200 Dollars is a game that really does cost $200, doesn't look very good, and almost made its dev $1.3 million Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:15:52 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/this-game-costs-200-dollars-is-a-game-that-really-does-cost-200-doesnt-look-very-good-and-almost-made-its-dev-13-million I do not have $200 to spare on one single video game right now. In this economy, spending such an obscene amount of dough on one game would be tantamount to throwing it down the drain, it would position me as a bourgeois elite who cares not for their fellow persons, it would label me as someone so silly that they should never be trusted with anything ever again. The funniest punchline to this would be that I did in fact spend $200 on a video game, specifically a video game called This Game Costs 200 Dollars, but I didn't do that because [see my opening comment]. Instead, I will tell you about how this game almost made its developer $1.3 million. Read more

Title: Sci-fi MMO Cinder City is getting a pre-alpha playtest later this month so you can put its RAM hogging requirements to the test Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:23:04 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sci-fi-mmo-cinder-city-is-getting-a-pre-alpha-playtest-later-this-month-so-you-can-put-its-ram-hogging-requirements-to-the-test I haven't the foggiest idea whether Cinder City will be any good or not. Visually, if you showed it to me without a logo or any form of identifying information, I'm not even sure I could distinguish it from any other sci-fi shooter. But the shooting looks PS3 as hell, with slightly awkward movements made moreso by the realistic look, and a futuristic HUD that seems like it's meant to be diegetic. How it actually feels is another question, but one that some of us can soon answer, as sign ups for a playtest are now open. Read more

Title: Is 8GB VRAM enough for a graphics card in 2026? Yes, but GPU makers should still try harder Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:07:03 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/is-8gb-vram-enough-for-a-graphics-card-in-2026-yes-but-gpu-makers-should-still-try-harder The amount of memory a PC needs is a matter that's divided PC owners since before the days of DDR1. Different apps, games, and in-game settings all have different demands, so what works for one rig can be quite different to what works for another. In 2026, with component prices so stratospherically high - Nvidia and AMD are both cranking theirs up still - what truly constitutes a need is up for even further debate. There’s no better example of this argument than around VRAM, or video RAM. While a - shall we say enthusiastic - school of thought has developed around 8GB becoming insufficient for modern demands, that's done little to change the hardware makeup of low-end and mid-range graphics cards that are going on sale. Nor has it apparently convinced many players to upgrade. Indeed, the majority of Steam users still play on GPUs with 8GB VRAM or less. Read more