As we enter the second to last week of the year, we're entering one of the slowest periods of the year when it comes to new game releases. This week's major release is an Unreal Engine 5 first person shooter, of sorts. As for what else is coming out this month, there's a truly eclectic mix of games, ranging from being an engineer to building a penguin empire (yes, you read that correctly). Then we have yet another zombie survival game, a game where you get to play dictator and finally you have the chance to dive down the abyss old school style.

Railbreak / This week's major release / Friday 22 December
How do our heroes detox after a stressful week of surviving a zombie apocalypse? The stars of Dead Drop Studios' upcoming Outbreak: Shades of Horror, Lydia and Hank, enjoy an entertaining night out to test a hot new arcade game! What's better than slaughtering zombies day in and day out? Laying waste to bright pink ones with heavy artillery, of course!

As we enter the second full week of December, it's pretty clear that we don't have any more AAA releases to look forward to this year, but at the same time, it doesn't mean that there aren't any interesting game releases. This week's biggest release is a colony sim type game which we covered in the news a few months ago. The rest of this week's releases involves robot detectives, gates to other worlds, prisoners that can't die, mechs and a touch of paranoia.

Pioneers of Pagonia / This week's major release / Wednesday 13 December
In a world of countless islands populated with scattered tribes, you travel and lead your people as a visionary to forge alliances with the inhabitants, after helping each other and gaining their trust. Send out your pioneers to discover untouched soil, find hidden resources and explore secret places.

Rockstar Games has officially released a Grand Theft Auto 6 (or VI) trailer that brings together millions of GTA series fans. However, the game will remain exclusive for gaming consoles at launch. On the landing page for GTA 6, there is a note that says, "Grand Theft Auto VI heads to the state of Leonida, home to the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond in the biggest, most immersive evolution of the Grand Theft Auto series yet. Coming 2025 to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S." While the first trailer showed this, we now have written confirmation that GTA 6 is a console exclusive at launch, whenever it happens in 2025.

If long-time GTA gamers remember, the situation was very much the same with the launch of the fifth installment in the GTA series, GTA V, which got a PC port almost two years after the initial release. The GTA V was released in September 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles and got an upgrade to a new console cycle in November 2014 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Only in April 2015 was the game released for Windows-based PCs, as Rockstar took its time to polish the port and make it work with PC gamers' various hardware choices. While we hope to avoid seeing such a big cadence from console to PC port, it will surely take Rockstar some extra time to make a PC version run smoothly.

Best-selling gaming headset and accessory maker Turtle Beach Corporation (Nasdaq: HEAR), today unveiled its eagerly anticipated first-wireless controller for Xbox and PC, the Designed for Xbox Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Game Controller. Turtle Beach's new king of wireless game controllers delivers ultra-premium performance through precision-crafted components and customization options for Xbox and PC gamers who demand the best. The Stealth Ultra features Turtle Beach's proprietary low-latency wireless connectivity to Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Bluetooth for gaming on supported Smart TVs and Android mobile devices. Stealth Ultra's tactile microswitches provide fast, reliable responses and are designed to last up to five times longer than standard buttons found in other controllers. AntiDrift thumbsticks eliminate drift for precise control, and adjustable short and long-pull triggers ensure a response suited to the game being played.

Turtle Beach's Stealth Ultra Controller also introduces a first-of-its-kind full-color Connected Command Display that lets gamers customize RGB lighting, game & chat audio settings, thumbstick sensitivity, mappable buttons, and more. Plus, patented Turtle Beach technology also lets gamers receive social notifications from their phone in the Connected Command Display dashboard on the controller. The Stealth Ultra also features adjustable power modes with the ability to provide up to 30-hours of battery life on a single charge, with power delivered via the included low-profile charging dock that also acts as a convenient place to store the controller when not in use. Turtle Beach's Designed for Xbox Stealth Ultra Wireless Smart Controller is available for pre-order today for $199.99 MSRP from www.turtlebeach.com and participating retailers worldwide. Stealth Ultra launches December 15, 2023.

As we enter the last week of November and the first day of December, we might not have any AAA releases, but this week's major release does nonetheless hold a high production value and promises something a bit different when it comes to WWII RTS games. This week's other releases involve shapes, a JRPG, a retro FPS, something to do with the Sheriff of Nottingham and finally a world of steam.

Last Train Home / This week's major release / Tuesday 28 November
Embark on a desperate mission through the depths of a war-torn wasteland. Your goal is to guide Czechoslovak soldiers back home onboard an armored train, but the path ahead is fraught with peril. Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war between Russia's Red and White Armies, your unit must remain in fighting shape, managing what little resources you have and maintaining morale at all costs. Venture through the bleak and unforgiving landscape of Siberia, where the freezing cold and the merciless environment will push you to your very limit. Resources are scarce and your crew is exhausted, but you must keep pushing forward.

As it's getting darker in the northern hemisphere, we're seeing a continuing stream of new game releases and this week's AAA title appears to involve hammers and ruins of some kind. The rest of this week's releases includes tiny civilizations, rhythms, faith, flashbacks and a Japanese game. Take a gander below to see if there's something for you or maybe you're suffering from new game release overload already?

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruin / This week's AAA title / Friday 17 November
Wage a campaign of brutal conquest in this realm-shattering real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer Age of Sigmar universe. Explore the nature of war from the perspectives of righteous champions and villainous warlords. Battle for survival and dominance across a campaign featuring four major factions, including Stormcast Eternals, Orruk Kruleboyz, Nighthaunt and the Disciples of Tzeentch! Experience a cinematic plot, penned in conjunction with acclaimed Black Library author, Gavin Thorpe.

As the end of the year is getting closer, Rockstar Games has taken to social media to express heartfelt gratitude to its global community of players. The legendary game developer and publisher is poised to celebrate a quarter-century of industry-defining work since its inception in 1998. In a move that has electrified the gaming community, Rockstar Games has announced plans to unveil the first trailer for the next installment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise in early December, on the company's 25th anniversary. The next-generation title is rumored to be called Grand Theft Auto VI (6), following the release of GTA V. In early December, we should see the first official trailer for GTA VI, which doesn't mean that the game is coming anytime soon.

On the contrary, the trailer could serve just to start the hype cycle. Sam Houser, the co-founder and president of Rockstar Games, has posted: "We are very excited to let you know that in early December, we will release the first trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto. We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you." Therefore, an official launch date has yet to be set, so the community of GTA players around the globe needs to hold their patience a bit longer.

Beware do-gooders of the Overworld, for war is on the horizon. Publisher Kalypso Media and in-house developer Realmforge Studios have unleashed The Absolute Evil upon the Overworld with the official launch of Dungeons series' highly anticipated sequel, Dungeons 4.

Sound the alarm and prepare your traps, because Dungeons 4 is now available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC and is available in Standard or Deluxe Editions on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. The Deluxe Edition provides hellish extras for the most daring minions, including the Digital Artbook, exclusive Dungeons 3 Evil Hand Legacy Skin, Thalya Legacy 'Evil and Good' skin, remastered Storming of Dollaran Map from Dungeons 3, and the Official Dungeons 4 Soundtrack. Ensuring victory over the heroes of the Overworld. With larger dungeons, an expansive Overworld, enhanced co-op play, more evil critters, and the addition of the infuriating Dwarves, Evil has never looked this good!

With autumn in full swing, the first full week of November brings a bunch of new games along with it and this week's AAA title is the third in the series and appears to have something to do with duty. As for this week's other titles, we can look forward to managing some kind of sports teams, crafting robots, erasing names, messing around in dungeons and finally some old school action.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III / This week's AAA title / Friday 10 November
Modern Warfare III celebrates the 20th anniversary of Call of Duty with one of the greatest collections of Multiplayer maps ever assembled - both fan favorites and all new ones. All 16 launch maps from the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009) have been modernized with new modes and gameplay features and will be available at launch to get everyone started, while over 12 all-new core 6v6 maps will fuel post-launch live seasons.

As we're about to enter the month of November, October leaves us with a couple of final game releases. This week's AA release is a sequel to a puzzle game that was quite popular when it launched at the end of 2014. The remaining titles this coming week includes RPGs, something musical, something to do with leagues and legends, a cop that's a robot and some seasons greetings.

The Talos Principle 2 / This week's AA title / Thursday 2 November
Born into a new world where biological humanity is extinct but human culture lives on in a city of robots, you find yourself swept up in a mind-bending adventure involving a mysterious megastructure hiding enormous powers. The more you discover, the more you will be confronted with questions about the nature of the cosmos and the purpose of civilization. The broken promise of a better tomorrow, the fear of repeating humankind's mistakes, faith in reason or renouncing humanity altogether - the choices you make and the sides you take will determine the course of events.

A free Episode One of Season One of Stargate: Timekeepers deployed today on Steam. Pre-orders for the stealth, real-time tactics, commandos-style game created by Slitherine in official collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios are also now available.

Stargate: Timekeepers propels players into the heart of the Stargate SG-1 universe, where they will lead a team of specialists through a riveting campaign filled with story and adventure. Episode One plunges players into the heart-pounding chaos of the Battle of Antarctica, with valiant Eva McCain being teamed up to navigate treacherous challenges in an attempt to stop the deadly Kull warriors.

Starting October 26, 2023, Embark Studios is hosting the first cross-platform Open Beta for THE FINALS, the team-based, free-to-play shooter that pushes environmental dynamism, destruction, and player freedom to the limits. The test will run on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Steam and ends on November 5.

THE FINALS is the ultimate combat entertainment game show where you and your team fight for fame, riches, and the favor of generous seasonal sponsors, in hyper-realistic, fully destructible Virtual Arenas inspired by iconic real-worldlocations. The Open Beta introduces the brand new Skyway Stadium arena to the map
rotation, along with an all-new game mode—Bank-It. Additionally, the beta includes a free BattlePass with 16 exclusive, permanent rewards that players can
unlock and keep for launch. The beta features cross-play and cross-progression between PC and consoles.

As we enter the last full week of October, the AAA game releases are off the charts, with no less than three massive releases this coming week. Our top pick is a horror game from a Finnish developer that most of you should be familiar with. The remaining releases this week involve a bullet hell, skyscrapers, metal, a beast, a ghost and silent gods, of sorts at least. If that sounds confusing, read on to see what's being released this coming week.

Alan Wake 2 / This week's AAA title / Friday 27 October
A string of ritualistic murders threatens Bright Falls, a small-town community surrounded by Pacific Northwest wilderness. Saga Anderson, an accomplished FBI agent with a reputation for solving impossible cases arrives to investigate the murders. Anderson's case spirals into a nightmare when she discovers pages of a horror story that starts to come true around her.

Wizard With a Gun, Galvanic Games and Devolver Digital's upcoming magic-infused co-op sandbox survival game, was originally scheduled for release on PC tomorrow, Oct. 17. But then another game about mowing down hordes of monsters with magic in a dark fantasy world—something called Diablo IV, which we've never heard of, but apparently a lot of people love—decided it was going to release on Steam on the same day.

So we're releasing the PC version of Wizard With a Gun TODAY, a day early. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions will still be launching on Oct. 17 (sorry), but if you're a PC player, you'll be able to lock and load sooner than planned for the magically low price of $24.99. Set in a fractured post-apocalyptic world known as the Shatter, Wizard With a Gun sees you (and a friend if you don't want to face the horrors alone) crafting an arsenal of magical guns 'n' ammo to drive back the forces of Chaos and restore this realm to its former glory.

MSI is thrilled to announce an incredible offer for all gaming enthusiasts - Starting from October 17th to November 17th, 2023, when purchase MSI latest liquid cooling products - MAG CORELIQUID E360 / WHITE, you will get a free Sonic Superstars game key!

Sonic Superstars game key
MSI has always been dedicated to upgrading users' gaming experience, and our new E series liquid cooling models are no exception. Designed for optimum performance and reliability, these cooling solutions will keep your gaming rig running smoothly. And now, when you invest in our latest liquid cooling technology, you'll also get rewarded with a FREE Sonic Superstars game key.

October appears to be yet a busy month with many new game releases and this coming week is jam packed with new releases, even though none of them can exactly be called a AAA release. That said, we do have a couple of big releases nonetheless, the major one being a new take on a classic console game. The rest of this week's releases range from strategy puzzles to action-adventures and a touch of hell, to dungeons and hot wheels, to finally finishing the week with some horror.

Sonic Superstars / This week's major release / Tuesday 17 October
Adventure through the mystical Northstar Islands in this all-new take on classic 2D Sonic high-speed action platforming. Play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy and harness all-new Emerald powers to move and attack in dynamic new ways. Navigate gorgeous, never-before-seen environments solo or with up to 3 other players and stop Dr. Eggman, Fang, and a mysterious new adversary from converting the islands' giant animals into Badniks before it's too late!

Chaotic multiplayer "DIY racer" Make Way, from indie developer Ice Beam Games and publisher Secret Mode, is turbo-charging into Steam Next Fest today. Supporting 1-4 players, the Make Way demo gives players an early peek at the unbridled chaos expected in the full, cross-platform game for PC, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One later this year.

The demo will allow up to four players to battle together online or locally in either Race mode, where players focus on building their tracks and racing to the finish line, or Classic mode, where weapons and obstacles are thrown into the mix for the true chaotic experience. A sampling of the track pieces, obstacles, and vehicles will be available for use, with more to unlock by playing the demo, and even more to come in the final full release.

As autumn continues, we have another week of big game releases to look forward to, hopefully with something that'll suit most gamers here. This week's AAA title involves a lot of sand, wars and monuments. As for the rest of this week's new games, you can be a tycoon, a driver of very expensive motor vehicles, craft your own stick, pretend to be a starship captain or you could be a monster slayer. Let us know if any of these tickle your fancy in the poll.

Total War: Pharaoh / This week's AAA title / Wednesday 11 October
In Total War: Pharaoh, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypt's last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilisation?

As we enter October—as well as autumn in the northern hemisphere—things kick off with a fairly big AAA release that involves assassins. The rest of the week is full of new games that range from lighting lamps to choo-choos and exploring unknown galaxies, to thieves and sword action to some kind of ice related sport. In other words, yet another jam packed week of new releases to look forward to.

Assassin's Creed Mirage / This week's AA title / Thursday 5 October
Experience the story of Basim, a cunning street thief with nightmarish visions, seeking answers and justice as he navigates the bustling streets of ninth-century Baghdad. Through a mysterious, ancient organization known as the Hidden Ones, he will become a deadly Master Assassin and change his fate in ways he never could have imagined.

Square Enix has released Forspoken Version Update Patch 1.22, making it the first game to officially support the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3. In addition to FSR 3 support, the new Forspoken Version Update Patch 1.22 also adds the Native AA quality mode options and fixes some issues with save data between the main game and DLC.

According to the release notes, the update will not come to the PlayStation 5 version, and the Microsoft Store version will be updated as soon as the patch is approved. Surprisingly, Square Enix describes the AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 as technology that "combines temporal upscaling and frame generation to deliver significantly higher performance," and says that the frame generation is enabled separately from upscaling and is available when using AMD Radeon RX 5000 Series, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 Series, and Intel Arc 7 Series or newer GPUs. It is left to be seen if these will indeed work on Intel Arc series GPUs, as it was never officially confirmed by AMD.

As we're about to enter the last week of September, we have another somewhat slow week of new releases, that is unless you're a football fan, the kind with a round ball, not the oblong pig bladder kind. That said, if you're into trains, house building, hunting relics or ever wanted to know what it's like to jump between worlds, there might be something for you this week as well.

EA Sports FC 24 / This week's AAA title / Thursday 28 September
EA Sports FC 24 welcomes you to The World's Game: the most true-to-football experience ever with HyperMotionV, PlayStyles optimised by Opta, and an enhanced Frostbite. Join us in building the future of football on a foundation of innovation and authenticity with more than 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams, and 30 leagues.

Moore Threads latest driver update, 230.40.0.1, is a noteworthy advancement, bringing many improvements and new features, most significantly introducing OpenGL 3.3 support. This inclusion is crucial, as this API was previously incompatible with MTT S70 and S80 GPUs, highlighting MTT's commitment to broadening user experience across various platforms and games. Moreover, the update offers substantial performance enhancements, with notable increases in frame rates in popular games. Valorant supposedly gets a 40% FPS improvement at 1080p, while Project CARS brings a 10% increase. Game engines such as CryEngine v5.7 also receive a 40% performance uplift. However, the release of only percentage improvements without specific framerate values calls for measured optimism, as the tangible impact on playability is yet to be assessed.

Equally important in this update is the emphasis on stability, with many popular titles seeing enhancements for a smoother and more reliable gaming experience. This focus underscores MTT's dedication to maintaining a robust and stable gaming environment on the Windows 10 operating system. Integrating 20 fixes and ongoing resolutions to existing issues mark this update as crucial for users aiming for a refined and seamless experience in graphics-intensive applications and games. The amalgamation of enhanced compatibility, heightened performance, and bolstered stability in this update is pivotal for users looking to maximize graphic and gaming capabilities.

Lead a nation of your own design through thousands of years of history in Millennia, a new turn-based strategy game from Paradox Interactive and C Prompt Games. Progress through ten ages of humanity, from the Stone Age to the near future, unlocking new technologies, new ways of living, and, maybe, alternate pasts that could have been.

C Prompt Games is an American development team helmed by veteran strategy game developers Rob Fermier, Ian Fischer and Brian Sousa. Motivated by a passion for deep and replayable systems-driven games, they bring their experience working on many celebrated real-time strategy games (including Age of Empires II, Age of Mythology and Starcraft II, as well as Orcs Must Die) to the turn-based 4x space in Millennia, a game that pairs the familiar comforts of the genre with fresh new gameplay to enable players to write their own stories of the past.

As we enter the second week of September the release of new games is taking a bit of an autumn break. As such, we have no huge releases to look forward to this coming week, but it doesn't mean there aren't any new game releases. Expect a rather eclectic mix of games this week, ranging from co-op tavern defence to mythical forces and umbrellas to deceit, bombs and swords.

Tavernacle! / Monday 11 September
Grab your hammers and start to craft in this co-op Tavern Defense for one to four players. As a team of Dwarves, you must gather supplies and build towers to protect your beloved brewery. Learn to cooperate to achieve victory in this chaotic multiplayer game!

Developed by NExT Studios and published by Level Infinite, SYNCED transports players to the Meridian, a devastated zone populated with deadly Nanos - former humans transformed by nanotechnology gone tragically awry. Players will take on the role of Runners - brave fortune-hunters searching the Meridian for Nerva, a valuable nano-energy substance.

SYNCED features three player co-operative gameplay, with Runners able to increase their squad size by syncing with Prime Nanos and turning them into deployable Companion Nanos. Runners will be able to strategically utilise their Companion Nano's skills to compliment their play style and turn the tide of the battle.