Title: Id Software Dev Says Xbox Doesn’t ‘Understand Art’ And That After Layoffs It Is ‘Impossible’ To Make Big Games Like Doom: The Dark Ages Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:29:07 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/id-software-dev-says-xbox-doesnt-understand-art-and-that-after-layoffs-it-is-impossible-to-make-big-games-like-doom-the-dark-ages-2000722563 id Software vet Chris Hays says entire departments have been 'gutted'

Title: Everything We Know About Haunted Chocolatier, The Stardew Valley Creator’s Next Game Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:10:42 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/haunted-chocolatier-everything-we-know-about-the-stardew-valley-creators-next-game-2000722445 Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

Title: 10 Things We Still Don’t Know About GTA 6 That Could Be Revealed In Netflix’s Extended Look Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:34:17 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/10-things-we-still-dont-know-about-gta-6-that-could-be-revealed-in-netflixs-extended-look-2000722519 How will guns work in GTA 6? Will the game run at 60FPS? Will these questions be answered in the upcoming reveal?

Title: Google AI Somehow Leaked A Game Dev’s Content Plans Hidden Inside Their ‘Own Google Docs’ Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:15:20 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/google-ai-somehow-leaked-a-game-devs-content-plans-hidden-inside-their-own-google-docs-2000722497 The indie dev behind a small Steam game was baffled to learn that Google AI somehow knew private info about their game they hadn't shared online

Title: Texas Man Who Can’t Access His ‘Motherf*cking Anime’ Now Facing Prison After Allegedly Threatening Local Officials Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:45:11 +0000 Link: https://kotaku.com/anime-texas-age-verification-bill-crunchyroll-pornhub-dps-2000722510 The unhinged rant to the governor's office threatened to stab 'every goddam one of you bitches'

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: The Best Otome Games To Play That Aren’t Love And Deepspace Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:07:39 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-otome-games-to-play-that-arent-love-and-deepspace/ Otome has a long history, as vibrant and complex as any other video game subgenre. For decades, most of that history has been obscured in North America. The good news is now is the best possible time to get into Otome. The massive success of Love and Deepspace has more than proven that there is a huge audience for games focused on romances with men, and more of these games get translated (and made in English) than ever before. And, should you get interested in retro offerings, there are now fan translations aplenty, making it significantly easier to play through many of the genre's best offerings. For the purposes of this list though, we'll focus on games that are commercially available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and/or mobile with official English translations. If Love and Deepspace’s controversies have turned you off, or you just want to get away from its microtransactions, this list will give you plenty of alternatives to choose from. Mystic Messenger You could describe this as the original Love In Deepspace, in that it borrows an Otome structure and packages it into a free-to-play mobile game. But where Love in Deepspace is a sci-fi epic with a massive budget, Mystic Messenger is a charmingly low-rent game focused around texting. The game operates in real-time, which means it can slot into your regular phone use and might be a bit less of a concentrated time-sink than the other Otome games on this list. In fact, Mystic Messenger is designed around a phone's unique properties and assets. It's cutesy, joyful, and intimate in the way only texting a crush can be. Taisho X Alice As you might guess from the title, Taisho X Alice is an Alice in Wonderland riff, but the population of its looking-glass world are a bevy of gender-swapped princes, like Cinderella and Red Riding Hood, who vie for your affections. But don't let its lush art fool you. This is also one of a few Otome on this list that trade in darker themes. If you are looking for something with all the bittersweet edge of a fairy tale, Taisho X Alice is preparing a tea party just for you. Even If Tempest Look, Otome is full of nice boys. There's nothing wrong with that. But what if you want something darker, edgier, more complex? Chilled black coffee, instead of a sugary sweet latte? Even If Tempest opens with its protagonist burned at the stake and dives further into witch trials and criminal investigations. Its romantic interests are princes and inquisitors, people with relentless power over the protagonist, and some of them prove to be monstrous in more literal ways. It's an Otome with real edge and an ornate, gothic vibe to match. Collar X Malice Speaking of mysteries, Collar X Malice drops the Otome into a supernatural police procedural. After being attacked and chained with a poison collar, the protagonist becomes embroiled with a group of ex-police officers trying to solve related cases. Romance does take a back seat here, but if you enjoy visual novels like Dangonronpa, Ace Attorney, or Of The Devil, and wish those games were way more focused on interacting with cutie anime boys, Collar X Malice may be just the ticket. Variable Barricade With a premise befitting musical theater and romance novel alike, Variable Barricade is one of the sillier entries on this list. Protagonist Hibari is the lone heir of a massive fortune, but her grandfather wants her to get married and so moves her into a luxurious mansion with four eligible bachelors. The game-show-like theming and bright, cartoonish art gives this the feel of a zany romantic comedy. Obscura I wanted to include at least one English Otome, a subgenre worthy of its own dedicated attention. Otome-inspired games developed in North America or Europe tend to soften Otome's genre conventions. For example, while every one of Obscura's romantic interests is masculine, you can select the protagonist's gender at the start. But the game's interests are clearly aligned with several others on this list. Obscura is set in a black market, where masked visitors trade and sell what cannot be bought anywhere else. Obscura's men all have interests of their own and navigating their desires, as well as yours, is where the game's drama is. With every mask comes an ulterior motive. Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds Hakuoki is an example of historical fiction Otome, set in Kyoto during the waning days of the Edo era. This is an expansive one, with 12 bachelors to court and 30 endings, which fits its monumental historical scale. Any direct comparison to novels or film is a little reductive. However, if you like your romance to be grand and convoluted, full of political intrigue and sword fights, a la Outlander, Hakuoki will more than fit the bill. If you still can't get enough, this one has a sequel, Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms. Cafe Enchante This list has tended a little darker, emphasizing the genre's forays into mystery and drama. But there's plenty of cozy escapism in Otome, too. Cafe Enchante follows, well, a mystical cafe that is a crossroads between worlds. You can court angels, demons, firebenders, and even the Men-In-Black-esque bureaucrats who monitor the cafe, all while serving up delicious looking coffee and food. If you've enjoyed visual novels like Coffee Talk or VA-11 Hall-A, or cozy games like Stardew Valley or Tiny Bookshop, this could be right up your alley. Bustafellows Like Collar X Malice, Bustafellows is mystery-flavored Otome, with a bevy of "dangerous" men all trying to solve a mystery together. But where Collar has a hard criminal edge, Bustafellows is noirish and exaggerated. The courtable boys include a crooked lawyer, two underground surgeons, and a hacker--the cream of the crop of the criminal underworld. The protagonist's supernatural powers give its otherwise grounded mystery a fun, time-traveling flair. Bustafellows has two follow-ups; one is already out and another is on the way. Jack Jeanne If there is any game on this list I would recommend to anyone, regardless of their personal interest in visual novels or Otome, Jack Jeanne would be it. It follows Kisa Tachibana, whose only dream is to enter the all-boys theater school Univeil. A chance encounter with the school's principal lets her dream come true, but only if she can keep her true gender a secret and win the school's highest performing honor at the end of the year. Jack Jeanne stands out for a few reasons. For one, Jack Jeanne's boys make up a robust ensemble cast, all of whom must work together to put on the game's many performances. This gives it the sometimes-buoyant, sometimes-heartbreaking energy of the best sports anime. The art, from Tokyo Ghoul creator Sui Ishida, is verdant and cutting. Some light "raising" mechanics a la Umamusume or Princess Simulator and a surprisingly sharp pair of rhythm minigames round out a robust and heartfelt visual novel.

Title: I Replaced All My Consoles & PC With A Steam Machine For A Month Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:00:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/videos/i-replaced-all-my-consoles-pc-with-a-steam-machine-for-a-month/ Can the Steam Machine truly become my all in one solution for gaming?

Title: THQ Nordic Showcase 2026: All The News, Trailers, And Reveals Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:30:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/thq-nordic-showcase-2026-all-the-news-trailers-and-reveals/ Since the Not-E3 blitz of summer gaming showcases, things have been relatively quiet since then. Amidst that break, THQ Nordic dropped a new showcase full of trailers to show what the publisher has on the way from its various studios. While it wasn't focused on big-name games like the ones you'd find in dedicated Xbox and PlayStation showcases, THQ Nordic instead has titles in very specific niche genres and IP. https://youtu.be/ToLh5Ruefxk Several of them are already available via early access or are already out and have post-launch plans in place, so if you're a fan of games that scratch a very specific itch for interactive entertainment, then you'll want to check out the list below of all the announcements. Let's Sing 2027 and Let’s Sing ABBA Revealed in the preshow, Let's Sing 2027 is shaping up to conquer the karaoke video game space. This year's installment features 35 songs from artists such as Ariana Grande and Chappell Roan, and you can join in on singing radio-friendly love songs with or without the original vocals. On top of that, an ABBA pack is also coming to the game on November 3, just in time for the 50th anniversary of Dancing Queen. It includes 32 tracks that your great-grandparents will appreciate, from Waterloo to Mamma Mia. Don't be surprised if they tell you to "gimme gimme gimme" the microphone, Fernando. Pinball FX Another preshow video, Zen Studios showed off its collection of Pinball FX tables that it has assembled over the years. The studio has locked down an impressive number of IP for the game, ranging from Peanuts to Star Wars, and if you're looking for some pinball fun, you can find the game on just about every PC and console. Reanimal: The Prisoner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M05D1Ynuxfg New DLC is on the way for Reanimal in the form of The Prisoner. While it sadly isn't a crossover with the groovy counter-culture '60s TV show that starred Patrick McGoohan, fans of the Little Nightmares-inspired game can look forward to new environmental puzzles and challenges set within a battle-scarred landscape. You can grab it right now. Expeditions: Samurai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ophpG_hgKns Developer Campfire Cabal dropped a new trailer for Expeditions: Samurai, its upcoming tactical turn-based-combat game set in feudal Japan. Now out in early access on PC, the developer says that the game will receive three major updates while it works on fine-tuning the experience for players, and it'll be focusing on polishing gameplay balance, exploration, stealth, combat, and more. Titan Quest 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pred8p-zN_Q&pp=0gcJCcQLAYcqIYzv Now that The Odyssey is the hot new thing in cinemas, it might be the perfect time to check out how the Greek-inspired ARPG Titan Quest 2 is shaping up. Still in early access, today's trailer for the game showed off gameplay for the new Spirit Mastery skills that players can wield in combat. Built around mastering the powers of the Underworld, these powers will allow you to manipulate the forces of life and death to summon spirits and cast spells. Call to Arms: Panzer Elite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYzv5ll7GUE World of Tanks doesn't have a monopoly on armored fighting vehicles, as Call to Arms: Panzer Elite also offers a pretty good spin on the lumbering war machines. A new update is now out for the game on PC, adding two new missions and two new tanks in the form of the M18 Hellcat and the M24 Chaffee.  Way of the Hunter 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0hkJ6naYQ4 Oh deer, local wildlife has no idea what's in store for it when Way of the Hunter 2 launches on September 29 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The Eternal Life of Goldman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz6dr8xrU5Y The Eternal Life of Goldman continues to look impressive with every new trailer, and this latest look at the game went behind the scenes of its beautiful handcrafted art, boss fights, and level design. It still doesn't have a release date, but The Eternal Life of Goldman is coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The Guild: Europa 1410 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0nBzCb2zeg Do you think that you have what it takes to keep the local peasants under control and establish a mighty kingdom during medieval times? Then you'll want to check out The Guild: Europa 1410 and see just how long your dynasty will last while you juggle your responsibilities as a noble in this feudal management game. You can choose to make your fortune through legitimate means or through some less-than-legal methods, and the game will be hitting early access in September. Wreckfest 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rALY2BE-eI Wreckfest 2 has grown throughout its early-access journey, and this new trailer was essentially a sizzle reel for the destruction derby racing game. Gothic 1 Remake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFQ8EMaV_M4&pp=0gcJCcQLAYcqIYzv Gothic 1 Remake launched earlier this year, and developer Alkimia Interactive outlined its post-launch plans for the game. This will include various updates and new features like photo mode, mod support, alternative progression, and more. Gothic Classic Trilogy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqnfudVwoHI In case that's not enough Gothic for you, then you can look forward to playing through the original trilogy of games on console soon. Gothic Classic is now available, Gothic 2: Complete Classic launches on September 29, and Gothic 3 Classic will launch on November 24.   Gothic: A Shadow's Quest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEb5i_lZj7w Rounding out the Gothic announcements was the reveal of Gothic: A Shadow's Quest, which will launch through the tabletop crowdfunding platform Gamefound on September 30. Upcoming Games on Nintendo Switch compilation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZi-I_5TWFA Finishing up the livestream was a quick reminder that several THQ Nordic games like Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Sacred 2 Remaster, SpongeBob SquarePants: Titans of the Tide, and the Destroy All Humans 2 Remakes are available for--or coming to--Switch consoles.

Title: AI Tools Aren’t Going To Replace Anyone, Says GTA 6 Publisher Boss Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 18:35:00 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ai-tools-arent-going-to-replace-anyone-says-gta-6-publisher-boss/ During the latest investment call for Grand Theft Auto 6's parent company, Take-Two Interactive, CEO Strauss Zelnick weighed in on the future of AI in game development. While Zelnick acknowledges that even his company will utilize AI, he reiterated his belief that the emerging technology won't replace anyone. "Those [AI] tools are not going to replace anyone," said Zelnick. He also expanded on the company's approach, which he characterized as focusing on creating entertainment rather leading with technology. "The first of our core pillars is creativity," noted Zelnick. "And we have 13,000 colleagues around the world, the vast majority of whom are people who are creative every day. We believe the technology can enhance their creativity, but we do not believe it can or should replace their creativity." Zelnick added that he doesn't believe that using AI will significantly lower the price of development, but he argued that it could "meaningfully increase the quality" of the games. The CEO has made similar remarks in the past. During a 2025 investor call, Zelnick said that Take-Two won't use AI as an excuse to lay off its employees. In addition to his latest AI missives, Zelnick assured Take-Two investors that GTA 6 hasn't been delayed from its launch for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, Unsurprisingly, Zelnick is predicting that GTA 6 will carry the company through a very profitable fiscal year. He also claimed that GTA 6 preorders are "unprecedented," and it may be the most in-demand game that the industry has ever seen.

Title: MLB The Show 26 Celebrates The Trade Deadline’s Biggest Villain Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:00:43 +0000 Link: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mlb-the-show-26-celebrates-the-trade-deadlines-biggest-villain/ Tarik Skubal has been one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball over the last few years, winning two consecutive Cy Young Awards as a member of the Detroit Tigers. But the Tigers have been having a rough season, and the team dealt Skubal to the Dodgers at the trade deadline this past weekend. Now, MLB The Show 26 is celebrating Skubal's move to Los Angeles with a special Diamond Dynasty card, so everyone can play as the biggest villain in baseball. Coming later today around noon PT / 3 PM ET, the New Threads Trade Deadline program contains a 99-rated Tarik Skubal. The other players and their ratings are as follows: Jo Adell (99) Taylor Ward (98) Arjun Nimmala (98) Ryan Zeferjahn (97) Luke Weaver (97) Luis Castillo (97) Liam Hicks (97) Daulton Varsho (97) AJ Minter (97) Skubal is one of two 99-rated cards in the bunch (though the extra booster packs contain a few more), and his real-life counterpart joins a team that already had the absolute best starting rotation in all of baseball. It makes the Dodgers even more of a ridiculously stacked team, and Skubal said he has no sympathy for people who blame the Dodgers for buying the best team every year. That being said, the Dodgers have been on a very rough stretch since the trade, so perhaps some form of karma is rebalancing the scales. Skubal better enjoy the next few months of playing in his Dodgers uniform, because there's a pretty good chance he's not going to get to do it again until 2028. The CBA between the players and the league is set to expire, and a proposed salary cap is the biggest sticking point.

Title: 31 Years Later, One 'Calvin and Hobbes' Line Remains The Greatest Quote In Comic Strip History Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 20:00:12 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/best-calvin-hobbes-quote/ Last New Year's Eve marked the 30th anniversary of the ending of Bill Watterson's seminal newspaper strip Calvin and Hobbes, the impact of which is still being felt throughout Western print media to this day.

Title: 26 Years Later, Attack on Titan's Best Quote Is Still One of the Coldest Quotes in Anime History Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:39:15 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/how-attack-on-titan-turned-its-heros-battle-cry-into-a-villains-manifesto/ From his first introduction, Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan is not your typical wide-eyed, optimistic shonen protagonist. While characters like Goku from Dragon Ball or the titular Naruto chase dreams of greatness and recognition, Eren is consumed by an all-consuming rage against a world that has caged him. He is loud, stubborn, impulsive, and violently uncompromising. Above all, Eren wants to tear apart the system that made survival feel impossible in the first place.

Title: How to solve the microphone puzzle in Big Walk Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:26:53 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/big-walk-microphone-puzzle-how-to-solve-walkthrough/ The microphone puzzle in Big Walkwill put your hearing (and your audio devices) to the test.

Title: Fields of Mistria romance and best gifts list Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:19:04 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/fields-of-mistria-guides/443158/romance-marriage-candidates-characters-best-gifts/ In Fields of Mistria, there are quite a few romanceable characters that you can woo by giving gifts to. You’ll run into these characters in your day-to-day and those wanting to rush to that romance will need to know exactly what to give them.

Title: Pokemon Pokopia's Bubbly Basin DLC is great, but Palworld does one thing better Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:09:55 GMT Link: https://www.polygon.com/pokopia-bubbly-basin-dlc-popplio-temple-construction/ I like Pokémon Pokopia's Bubbly Basin as a whole. The marine aesthetic is lovely. Post-apocalypse Cerulean City hit me in the feels, water types have always been my favorite Pokemon, and they're very much in the spotlight now. And the vibes are just immaculate down here. You know what I don't like? Slamming the brakes on progress when Popplio asks me to build them a temple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Title: Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites – Everything you need to know Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:00:48 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/ghost-recon-wildlands-last-rites-everything-you-need-to-know/ Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites is a major free update out now on PS4 and PS5. It revitalizes the game with new content, including a thrilling linear story mission, gameplay customization features, 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro, and more. To learn more about what you can expect, we spoke with Ubisoft Bordeaux’s Creative Director Olivier Leonardi and Live Strategy & Analytics Director Yossef Benzeghadi in a new interview. Play Video Wildlands launched nearly a decade ago. What can you tell us about the community still engaging with the game? Yossef Benzeghadi: Wildlands is a beloved gem within the Ghost Recon community, and taking down the Santa Blanca Cartel is fondly remembered. Either Solo or up to four players co-op, it’s a unique blend of open world and a fun immersive tactical military third person shooter that really stood the test of time. Back in the day, I was part of the Wildlands live team, and we really took the time to picture all the gameplay behaviors, player profiles, and playstyles we could see emerging in the game from the whole community. It acted as our golden compass throughout postlaunch. It led to the release of various fan-favorite content, still available today of course, such as our challenging Ghost Mode, or multiple Clancy-verse missions featuring Splinter Cell or Rainbow Six Siege. There was one key element that really stuck to me to this day – a group we initially called “Sandbox Players.” To be honest, at first, we did not really understand what the heck they were doing in our Bolivian Wildlands. Digging more, and more, notably thanks to community interviews and data-informed playtests, it finally clicked: they were role playing, ranging from cooperative mil-sim to simply adding extra optional layers of challenges on top of the game just for fun, taking hours to complete one mission perfectly. We had tons of players leveraging everything the game had to offer to transcend their gameplay experience to the next level. The level of customization and the overall freedom of choice the game offers were praised all around and for us that’s one of the main reasons players are still engaging with Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands today. With Last Rites, we are following up on that legacy, and there’s never been a better time to jump in. First, break down the features you’re adding in Last Rites, and why you added them. Yossef: First, and by popular demand, we are very happy to confirm 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and PS5 Pro. To allow even more flexibility for role play fans and to bring more accessibility and freedom of choice to everyone, we are also adding various new settings to experiment with. With our new Ghost Parameters in the game’s Options menu, you can enable instant death or limitless revives, choose to have one or two primary weapons, and decide whether you keep remaining unused ammo when reloading or not. With our new World and Session Settings in the game’s Lobby page, you control the world itself. From the weather and time of day to alarms and jammers and even the rate of enemy patrols, you can craft your very own experience. You can even enable friendly fire in co-op, either to enhance realism, or allow some light PvP role play scenarios with your friends should you want to. We are also expanding existing categories from the Options menu with increased player agency. HUD and UI are more customizable than ever, and our new Difficulty settings now allow players to deep dive and tweak various elements such as Enemy Perception, Endurance, Vehicle Breakability and much more. Then, there’s Last Rites itself. It’s a brand-new story-driven mission you can jump into right away. Set in a darker, more oppressive Bolivia, the Ghosts enter a region controlled by Los Penitentes, a new fanatical cult united by faith, sacrifice, and violent justice. Coming from all walks of life, its members turn the environment into a constant threat, drawing the Ghosts into a tense narrative of betrayal and moral ambiguity. They are led by an enigmatic new foe, La Llorona. In addition, we’ve added tons of customization for your Ghost character and teammates, and many weapons and equipment have been unlocked for free, including previously unreleased camos and unobtainable challenge rewards. All Ghost War PvP classes can now be unlocked for free in the in-game store alongside many other items. And yes, we are adding some new Character Smith items to celebrate Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 25th Anniversary, with a mysterious Operator Skin you unlock by completing Last Rites. A special thanks to the talented team at Ubisoft Bordeaux who made it all possible. Finally, PlayStation Plus members can get their hands on a brand-new exclusive Iconic Skin of La Llorona, unlock the powerful P416 Micteca, and embrace their presidential chic with the new 4-SHUR Blue Leader Sunglasses.  Last Rites has been created in part due to that community feedback. How did you actually gather and prioritize that? Olivier Leonardi: We met our community leaders and had a very open conversation with them. The goal was to turn raw community feedback into actionable insights that improved player experience while supporting the game’s core principles. We did so across multiple channels, structured it into themes, and prioritized based on player impact, intensity, and alignment with several player profiles. We know that a large part of our community are avid role players, so we crafted some of the features around their requests. Yossef: Working on Last Rites was quite an archaeological ride. Very early on the project, we broadly shared all insights and knowledge we gathered on Ghost Recon Wildlands during its postlaunch at the time, which was extremely valuable for the team. It served as a mirror to reflect on what we could do and explore on Last Rites, a vision which we fine-tuned over time thanks to those precious community discussions we had that Olivier mentioned. Notice we have been talking a lot about role play so far; this is the prime example of something we would have loved to explore further back in the day and are very happy we could prioritize now. At the same time, and for the same reasons, we know a lot of our players just love well-crafted and story-driven missions, and that’s why we are also delivering on that front with Last Rites. Talk to us about the new story content – Where did La Llorona come from, conceptually? Olivier: La Llorona has become an untouchable icon, a resurrected arbiter of justice, revered by the Bolivian people almost as a saint. Gathering devoted followers to her cause, she compels them to wear masks, erasing their individuality and demanding absolute obedience. These disciples, known as Los Penitentes, act as the ruthless executors of her will, delivering merciless retribution to anyone connected to the events that sealed her fate. We wanted this new antagonist to be quite dark and complex, but also someone that was deeply wounded, betrayed by the people she loved and trusted. La Llorona survived, but survival came at a cost. The betrayal destroyed her sense of belonging, leaving her suspended between who she was and what she’s becoming. Her vengeance isn’t just directed outward; it’s a way to reclaim control, to make sense of that pain, after what she experienced. She becomes a force of raw justice and destruction. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image The mission is described as “unsettling” and the narrative shifts as players progress. How far did you push the tone, and why did you want to go darker this time? Olivier: We wanted to introduce this new mission as a very standard incursion, putting players back into Nomad’s boots, leading the Ghosts to do what they do very efficiently, but things quickly turn into something else; the familiar Bolivian environment becomes weird and the Ghosts start witnessing the wrath of La Llorona, aiming at anyone who might be accountable for what happened to her, especially the corrupt Bolivian government and its armed wing: Unidad. The more the Ghosts advance in her territory, the more they discover her twisted personality and how devoted her disciples are. Through different documents and audio recordings scattered across the world, players will be able to discover more about her goals and what she represents for the Bolivian people. Predator content returns with this update. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image What do you hope players take away from Last Rites – is there a single experience or moment you’re most proud of? Olivier: I think the moment at Varga’s villa, the reveal of La Llorona with her weeping widow mask, the confrontation with her Los Penitentes cultists, and what Nomad discovers there is both a strong gameplay and story moment. That changes everything for Nomad, and he’s confronting Emily Price, his CIA handler, trying to understand what causes this brutal transformation. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image New to the game?  Play Ghost Recon Wildlands with Ubisoft+ Classics, available as a standalone subscription, and included for PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium members. Ghost Recon Wildlands Standard and Definitive Editions are also available for purchase at PlayStation Store.  The new Definitive Edition includes the base game, the Season Pass, and the Year 2 Pass, alongside 4 additional content packs: Quick Start, Deluxe, Nightfall Protocol, and Cold Eye. For current owners, a Definitive Edition Upgrade is also available.

Title: Onimusha: Way of the Sword opens up in the final preview Date: Thu, 06 Aug 2026 15:00:47 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/06/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-opens-up-in-the-final-preview/ At the outset of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Miyamoto Musashi is fixated on freeing himself from the Oni Gauntlet. This mystical artifact, through a strange twist of fate, has become bound to our hero. But the stubborn young samurai doesn’t want the gauntlet’s powers. Musashi’s sole desire is to prove himself by his hands alone. However, as the journey unfolds, Musashi’s views gradually shift and expand. He begins to embrace the path he’s found himself on, becoming more open to his new place in the world. Play Video The action game starts to open up after the early moments. Missions with tighter scopes flow into a wider location that offers new challenges to overcome and more room to explore our growing arsenal of abilities. This final gameplay preview picks up right where the Onimusha: Way of the Sword Demo leaves off. After Musashi duels rival swordsman Sasaki Ganryu on the stage of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, he’s transported to an otherworldly dimension, the “Oni Refuge.” It’s a surreal landscape where gravity is a suggestion. Islands float in the sky, and we conjure ruins from thin air. Then the Genma barge in. Invading from the depths of hell, these demons clash with the sacred scenery, but they’ll soon meet Musashi’s blade. We swiftly cut them to shreds. When our katana connects with Genma, they’re carved apart at the angles our sword travels through their twisted forms. We call it dynamic dismemberment. This system splits them in two across the torso, hacks them from head to toe, and… well, you get the picture. Before long, Musashi plucks an Oni Bow from the wreckage of this realm. Finally, we can return fire against Genma archers. The bow also allows us to solve environmental puzzles that require range. Our arrows can trigger traps, too. Eventually, they’ll even come in handy during a duel, severing a boss from its power source, once Musashi returns to Kyoto. After excising the Genma from the Oni Refuge, the clouds of Malice looming above Kyoto begin to lift. Yet darkness still lingers here. Our next stop in Japan’s ancient capital is Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple. It’s one of many real-life locations in the game. Legends say it exists at the crossroads between our world and the gates of hell. For Musashi and his allies, this sanctuary becomes home. It’s their base of operations in the fight to save the city. Kyoto is a vast location far larger than anywhere we’ve seen in the game. However, our ability to wander and explore its streets has bounds at the moment. Hellish structures erupt from the earth and a toxic fog sweeps through town, forming blockades that imprison any locals who haven’t yet fled the demonic corruption. Our quest to liberate Kyoto begins by sealing rifts where Genma manifest in our dimension. These creatures spawn in all shapes and sizes, but Musashi slays them and absorbs their souls all the same. We’ll make use of these. Alongside treasures we discover, souls help us upgrade gear and unlock new abilities to face what awaits on the path ahead. This trail eventually leads to Kiyomizu-zaka slope, a pilgrim road that climbs up the hillside to the temple where we started this journey. Here lies the key to unlocking much of Kyoto. But to even enter this place we must first face some truly formidable foes. Back in the Oni Refuge, we had a run-in with Daidara, a towering Genma with a hulking frame and bottomless appetite. The gluttonous giant’s hunger even extends to devouring our hard-earned souls. We’re forced to make tactical decisions in the heat of battle about when to absorb souls, or risk losing them to Daidara’s ravenous maw. This isn’t the only Genma after something of ours. Another offers to free Musashi from his gauntlet… at the cost of his entire arm. Our hero considers this deal, if only for a moment. Though Musashi has warmed up to his Oni Gauntlet, he still hopes to remove it. It’s a wish Rasho-gan is only too glad to grant. This multi-armed monster has been posing as a deity at Yasui Konpiragu Shrine. Here, he fulfills worshipers’ desires in the worst possible ways. Constructed from the body parts of his victims (like the leg of a man who longed to be rid of knee pain), Rasho-gan wields his extra limbs to throw everything he has at us, including uprooting trees, boulders, and even entire buildings to crush Musashi. Escaping Rasho-gan’s clutches with our lives drives us to make full use of the game’s deep arsenal of combat techniques. For our efforts, the shrine guardians reward us with Oni Strength. Musashi accepts this new power, and we can now tear down the demonic barriers around Kyoto. Now it’s time to take down the source of the toxic fog choking the city. This life-sapping mist emerges from eerie plants, and it clears when we chop them down. However, Byakue stands in the way of our gardening. Before we can fell the final tree, this animalistic Genma charges in. As we brawl, the brute gets coated in its own blood and grows wilder. Skill alone may allow Musashi to outlast this creature, but another strategy proves wise. Delivering fewer but more devastating blows soon tames the beast. After completing the mission, the evil haze over much of Kyoto clears. The townsfolk come out and rejoice. Now, more of the city is open for us to explore. This is just the start of our action-packed adventure. It’s one that players can look forward to experiencing for themselves when Onimusha: Way of the Sword launches for PlayStation 5 on September 4. Pre-orders for the game are available now at PlayStation Store.

Title: The Power of Motherhood Amid Chaos – 1998: The Toll Keeper Story Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2026 03:53:23 +0000 Link: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/08/04/20260805-toll/ In Indonesia, there is a saying that perfectly captures the core concept of our game, 1998: The Toll Keeper Story—”A mother’s love knows no bounds, spanning across all time.” This beautiful sentiment slowly but surely transforms into a harsh reality when that very maternal instinct is tested against a backdrop of escalating, threatening chaos. This is Dewi’s story. While deeply inspired by our own homeland’s history, the events of 1998 in Indonesia, where a severe monetary crisis triggered widespread social unrest that victimized innocent groups, remain tragic yet universally relevant today. It often feels as though the world refuses to learn from the mistakes of the past. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Dewi, alongside other characters like Heru and Sinta, does not stand there to fight a massive tide that is far beyond her control. Day after day, from inside the toll booth she operates, she witnesses the raw human struggle for survival, all while fighting tooth and nail to keep her own baby safe and healthy. This entire conflict unfolds through a document and currency-checking mechanic that will feel instantly familiar to fans of Papers, Please. Amidst the routine, Dewi’s toll booth becomes a sanctuary where affected citizens air their grievances, regardless of whether they support or oppose the government of that era. The choices Dewi makes will ultimately shape the conclusion of her story. Without ever intending to romanticize the tragedy that inspired it, this narrative will be brought to life through hand-drawn cutscenes, rendered in the GameChanger Studio’s signature art style. A diary at the end of each day will also serve as a space to reflect on the deep anxieties Dewi faces, both as a woman and as a mother. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image With the features offered by the PlayStation 5, we are confident we can make Dewi’s journey even more immersive. The answer to this ambition lies in the Haptic Feedback technology, which will adapt uniquely to the various types of vehicles passing through Dewi’s booth. These vibrations will serve not only as vital gameplay clues but also as a physical representation of the earth-shattering challenges Dewi must endure while navigating her pregnancy. We hope that the emotions and message we wish to convey through Dewi’s journey in 1998: The Toll Keeper Story will leave a lasting, profound impression on you when you experience it on the PlayStation 5. View and download image Download the image close Close Download this image Trailer link: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4YT-R7l6wM Store link: https://store.playstation.com/en-id/concept/10018178/

Title: Space News Network is No Man's Sky but you're a roving journalist, blasting bandits while trying to keep your subscribers happy Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:02:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/space-news-network-is-no-mans-sky-but-youre-a-roving-journalist-blasting-bandits-while-trying-to-keep-your-subscribers-happy Yet again, friends, I am escaping to the one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism. They have need of journalists up there, no matter what that dafty Musk might prefer. Or so I understand from Space News Network - a No Man's Sky-esque exploration game in which you play a starpilot reporter, rocketing between strange new worlds in search of the next scoop. You'll brave pirate blockades, descend through the atmosphere and tangle with unidentified fauna, all in the name of such Pulitzer Prize-baiting bulletins as "Cisiom: it's glowy, it's blue. Is it safe to touch?" Read more

Title: "Machines that weren't game machines before will become game machines": Take-Two CEO predicts that streaming will help fix the industry's hardware pricing problem Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 15:17:48 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/machines-that-werent-game-machines-before-will-become-game-machines-take-two-ceo-predicts-that-streaming-will-help-fix-the-industrys-hardware-pricing-problem Gaming hardware costs an absolute megaton, right now, but don't you worry, says Strass Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar parent company Take-Two Interactive – we'll soon be playing all our games via streaming services anyway. Speaking during the company's latest investor call, Strauss suggested that the games industry will "be in commercial streaming mode within three years" - that's to say, people will be accustomed to streaming live gameplay from potent central computers over low latency connections, and all of this RAMnarök stuff will be a thing of the past. Haha, look at you gawping! You are thinking a word in your head, and it rhymes with "Nadia". Read more

Title: "Ideas like this usually just die": Inside generative AI’s effect on modding, and how host sites struggle to maintain transparency Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:19:46 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/ideas-like-this-usually-just-die-inside-generative-ais-effect-on-modding-and-how-host-sites-struggle-to-maintain-transparency I’ve been scrolling through Nexus Mods near enough every weekday morning for three or four years now. On a good day, I might spot a couple of new mods potentially worth writing news about and a couple, usually Skyrim player homes, I might fancy checking out in my free time. Historically, browsing for mods was largely just a matter of gauging which looked complex or unique enough to be worth investigating further, and making sure nothing about them appeared offensive or otherwise dodgy. Usually, new quests, new mechanics, or substantial overhauls which can turn a game on its head got the nod. Then, a few years ago, AI-generated voices started popping up in the former. Skyrim, being the most actively modded game, was ground zero. Read more

Title: "Credible military storytelling": Ubisoft announce playtests for new Ghost Recon game alongside a sizeable Wildlands update and a Future Soldier giveaway Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:15:00 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/credible-military-storytelling-ubisoft-announce-playtests-for-new-ghost-recon-game-alongside-a-sizeable-wildlands-update-and-a-future-soldier-giveaway Much like the CIA spreading misinformation ahead of a cheeky little regime change, Ubisoft have begun talking about their next proper Ghost Recon game. According to live producer Irina-Gabriela Popa, it'll be "a fun, fresh experience that stays true to everything that defines Ghost Recon – tactical action, large scale operations, credible military storytelling and, of course, the Ghost Unit.” Read more

Title: Co-op climber Peak finally reaches the summit, with its last major update bringing two foreboding new biomes next week Date: Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:44:12 +0000 Link: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/co-op-climber-peak-finally-reaches-the-summit-with-its-last-major-update-bringing-two-foreboding-new-biomes-next-week Just over a year of post-launch additions for climbing with your mates game Peak will end with one last update next week. In what's called the Final Ascent, devs Aggro Crab and Landfall are wheeling out two spooky new biomes as a challenge to round out the scaling of rugged landscapes. Read more