In this Introduction to Worldbuilding video, we explore the narrative behind Still Wakes the Deep and the research driving development. Lead Environment Artist Iain Gillespie, Associate Art Director Laura Dodds, and Lead Designer Rob McLachlan offer a behind-the-scenes look into our next title. We discuss how the environment will evolve over time as well as the key inspirations behind the game's horror.

The period, the geographical location of the rig - these all play a crucial role in this narrative-driven horror story. Fans will discover how the team developed a fascination for cranes and scoured British Petroleum's documentary archives when striving for an authentic representation of a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s. We hope you enjoy it, and feel free to leave a comment with what you'd like to hear about next in a similar format...🌊

Hey Everyone! We're delighted to reveal Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, based on the off-road experience with the most advanced physics by the creators of the critically acclaimed SnowRunner! Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive partner once again to bring a new game in the MudRunner franchise. After gathering more than 15 million players with MudRunner and SnowRunner, the studio returns with Expeditions: A MudRunner Game, a new entry in the series that will push the boundaries of the franchise's iconic off road experiences.

With Expeditions, you'll recognize elements that define the MudRunner experience - untamed lands, difficult terrains, and unprecedented vehicle-driving physics - while pushing the formula even further. As shown in last week's Gamescom reveal trailer, Expeditions is a real call to adventure, where you'll utilize newly gadget-packed vehicles and an expert crew to explore uncharted gorgeous landscapes and discover breathtaking landmarks.

As we enter the fourth week of August, we have yet another packed week of new game releases to look forward to. This week's AAA title will most likely get a lot of flack due to the publisher and thus it's not likely to get a lot of votes in this week's poll either. However, we have a lot more for you this week, ranging from a walking simulator to blaspheming, from mech's to jumping lights and more.

Immortals of Aveum / This week's AAA title / Tuesday 22 August
Immortals of Aveum is set in an original fantasy universe engulfed in magic, rife with conflict, and on the edge of the abyss. Players experience this visceral and cinematic, story-driven game through the eyes of Jak, as he joins an elite order of battlemages, masters all three colors of magic - blue, green, and red - and decimates legions of enemies with clever chained attacks and well-timed counters. Combining a modern story within a fantasy setting, the world of Aveum is filled with unforgettable characters, fast-paced action and spell-based combat that defies FPS conventions.

As we enter the middle of August, the month keeps delivering when it comes to new game releases and this coming week we have multiple AA titles to look forward to. There are a lot of things to look forward to, including submarines, spaceships, controlling chaos, chainsaws, oval balls and much more. Please keep voting in the poll, as it gives us an indication of what kind of games you like, as we ignore the negativity in the poll anyhow.

Everspace 2 / This week's AA title / Tuesday 15 August
Everspace 2 puts you in the pilot seat in this fast-paced single-player space shooter, where vicious encounters and brutal challenges stand between you and that next epic loot drop. Explore the war-torn star systems of the Demilitarized Zone of Cluster 34—each massive handcrafted area is packed with secrets, puzzles, and perils to encounter. Experience a thrilling sci-fi story following Adam, a clone pilot seeking his place in the universe. The events of his past tangle with clashing factions as the DMZ approaches a boiling point. Escape colonial capture, navigate the intrigues of local warlords, evade energy-maddened cultists, and fend off war-hungry aliens.

The month of August keeps delivering when it comes to new game releases and this week's AAA title appears to involve a lot of sand and dust, as well as fallen gods. The rest of the releases to look forward to include everything from wrestling to enjoying the apocalypse, to forest bandits, a musical and being a mechanic in space. Last week we managed to please 58 percent of you, which was a new record, but we don't expect to reach those kinds of numbers this week.

Atlas Fallen / This week's AAA title / Thursday 10 August
Rise from the dust and liberate mankind from the oppression of a corrupted god. Glide the sands of a timeless land, filled with ancient dangers, mysteries and fragments of the past. Hunt legendary monsters, using powerful, shape-shifting weapons and devastating sand-powered abilities in spectacular, super-powered combat. Target and gather the essence of your enemies to shape your own custom playstyle, forging a new era for humanity in a fully cooperative or solo story campaign.

An epic RPG six years in the making and more than twenty years in the waiting, Baldur's Gate 3 is out today on PC via Steam, GOG, and NVIDIA GeForce Now. The game releases at 8am PDT - see the attached map for the release time in your region. Baldur's Gate 3 is a next-generation RPG from the creators of Divinity: Original Sin 2, set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons and providing a level of breadth and depth unprecedented in a modern RPG.

More than twenty years after the release of Baldur's Gate 2, it's finally time to return to the Forgotten Realms. Your choices shape this tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power.

A seasoned wizard who infects her foes with the irresistible urge to dance. A high-level sorcerer who sows the seeds of chaos in battle with strategically placed portals. A bard that wields the psionic powers of a mindflayer (a.k.a illithid). Who will you become at the pinnacle of your power in Baldur's Gate 3? That's completely up to you. In Baldur's Gate 3, your late-game build can be as varied as you want it to be and can be changed at any time, giving you an opportunity to experiment with different spells and discover the class that complements your playstyle best.

Introducing illithid powers
In Baldur's Gate 3, you and your companions each carry the burden of a parasite that dwells within you, a tadpole placed deep inside your brain that poses a constant looming threat of illithid transformation. But as dangerous as these creatures may be, they are also a source of great power. For those who wish to experience their power, you need only to surrender to the tadpole within you and consume the parasites you find in jars and skulls throughout the Forgotten Realms.

Just when you think the post-apocalyptic world being overrun by hordes of deadly enemies couldn't get any worse, along comes Remnant 2 with a whole new terrifying world of deadly creatures and god-like bosses. Remnant 2 is the continuation of the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes, and we (Xbox Wire) connected with David Adams, President of Gunfire Games, to talk about what you can expect from this intense Remnant combat experience.

Since this is a sequel, the first and most obvious question is, how does Remnant 2 align with everything we experienced in Remnant: From the Ashes, and what do those players who never played the first game need to know? "Story wise it picks up from the end of the first game's final DLC. The main threat has been seemingly defeated, and mankind is starting to fight back and take back the Earth," shares Adams. "However, something is obviously not perfect, or we wouldn't have a sequel. We try to keep the stories in our games simple, so players should have no trouble picking it up."

Lords of the Fallen beckons with an all-new 18-minute Extended Gameplay Presentation. Witness exhilarating combat in vast sprawling lands, calamitous boss fights that call for the utmost of nerves, and the ever-looming threat that spills darkness into this world. Set your gaze below..."The team at Hexworks is thrilled to finally share an extended gameplay presentation and reveal numerous new details of our dark fantasy action-RPG," said Saul Gascon, Head of Studio. "We have passionately carved our own path in this increasingly popular genre, and we are particularly excited to see how players will approach the game's unique dual-world mechanic when it releases this October."

Explore two, vast interconnected worlds
Mournstead stands ever parallel, luring all would-be adventurers who seek righteous glory. This vast and sprawling world of Lords of the Fallen beckons for exploration, from the ascending cliff face of Pilgrim's Perch, to the ever-burning city of Calrath. As you venture into the rich world of Lords of the Fallen, you will uncover that each major environment is interconnected with at least two others, offering freedom to forge your own path, that aligns with your story. Be warned As the lamp-bearer, take great caution when you embark on your journey, for it will be perilous, fraught with unspeakable dangers, however, those who bargain with their life can uncover a realm teeming with untold treasures.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC releases tomorrow and we can't wait for you to embark on this dazzling interdimensional adventure! We are happy to share that you can now pre-load the game on Steam. If you do so, you can start the game right away the moment it launches. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart launches globally on July 26 at 8:00 AM PDT / 5:00 PM CET / 7:00 PM GST. Check out the infographic below for more time zones.

Blast your way through an interdimensional adventure with Ratchet and Clank - now on PC! Help them take on an evil emperor from another reality as you jump between action-packed worlds and beyond at hyper-speed!

Sabotage was founded with a clear goal: presenting our own definitive editions of the game genres we grew up playing. By combining retro aesthetics and modern design, we shoot for experiences that capture what we love about games of old while leaving behind the elements we feel might hold them back today. We knew from the beginning that out-of-combat controls would be an important aspect to tackle for our modernized take on classic turn-based RPGs, and one of the pillars of Sea of Stars.

Sea of Stars will be available as a PlayStation Plus Game Catalog title on launch day
We're extremely excited to confirm that Sea of Stars will be joining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog catalog (available for all Extra and Premium members) on launch day, August 29. It's incredible for us to imagine how many more players worldwide will experience Sea of Stars and join the conversation around our project. After working on this game that is so dear to us for five years, we're now only a few weeks away from release, and we're happy to share this moment with the PlayStation community.

After a slow week of new releases, we're in for an extremely packed week this coming week, as we have no less than two AAA titles and several other big releases. The first AAA title this coming week is a sequel from Gearbox with the second AAA title having been out on the PlayStation consoles for quite some time, but it's been given some new sparkly features on PC. We also have a space game that we know some of you have been looking forward to, as well as a time travel game and a few other little gems.

Remnant II / This Week's First AAA Title / Tuesday 25 July
Remnant II is the sequel to the best-selling game Remnant: From the Ashes that pits survivors of humanity against new deadly creatures and god-like bosses across terrifying worlds. Play solo or co-op with two other friends to explore the depths of the unknown to stop an evil from destroying reality itself. To succeed, players will need to rely on their own skills and those of their team to overcome the toughest challenges and to stave off humanity's extinction.

MSI, the world's leading PC gaming hardware brand, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with CAPCOM to introduce an exciting game bundle promotion of their highly anticipated sci-fi game - Exoprimal. Now with the purchase of MSI select gaming monitors, users will have the opportunity to redeem an Exoprimal PC game code on MSI's official website and get a special MSI x Exoprimal Decal to enjoy the futuristic adventure in this epic game.

Suit up, adapt, and survive in intense battles against deadly hordes of dinosaurs!
Exoprimal is a team-based action game that pits "humanity's cutting-edge exosuit technology against history's most ferocious beasts". The game is set in the year 2040, offering a visually stunning futuristic world teeming with awe-inspiring landscapes and jaw-dropping dinosaur encounters. With its meticulously crafted environments and seamless gameplay mechanics, EXOPRIMAL immerses players in a high-stakes battle against waves of dinosaurs.

As we celebrate the 57th anniversary of Black Panther's comic debut this July, we're thrilled to announce Cliffhanger Games, a new triple-A development studio based in Seattle, is working on an original, third-person, single-player Black Panther game in collaboration with Marvel Games. Our mission is to build an expansive and reactive world that empowers players to experience what it is like to take on the mantle of Wakanda's protector, the Black Panther.

Led by Kevin Stephens (ex-Monolith Productions), Cliffhanger has already brought together accomplished talent with leaders from the critically acclaimed and innovative action-adventure game, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, along with veterans of top franchises including Halo Infinite, God of War, Call of Duty and others. "We're dedicated to delivering fans a definitive and authentic Black Panther experience, giving them more agency and control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game. Wakanda is a rich Super Hero sandbox, and our mission is to develop an epic world for players who love Black Panther and want to explore the world of Wakanda as much as we do," said Kevin.

Everything you do in your playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 affects the course of your journey. And it starts at the character creation screen. Each class, race, background, and Origin character has rippling effects on the world around you, triggering subtle permutations that change the Forgotten Realms in big, small, good, bad, exciting, and sometimes very bad ways. What is an Origin character? They're essentially playable heroes, each with their own stories, desires, and attitudes toward the world around you. If you don't play as them, they each become companions, who you may (or may not) recruit throughout your journey. You may have already met Shadowheart, Wyll, Gale, Astarion, Lae'zel, and Karlach - heroes with their own tales to tell, driven by your choices as the player. Of course, you can also customize your character and create an entirely new avatar, weaving their story through your actions with the same amount of depth & reactivity.

Today, however, we're looking at an entirely new way to play Baldur's Gate 3. The Dark Urge. A completely new customizable Origin, The Dark Urge can be created as any of the 11 races you'd like, but with their own Origin-like Dark Urge story as the backbone of your adventure. Bringing forth a trove of malevolent reactivity to Baldur's Gate, let's talk about The Dark Urge.

This coming week's game releases start off slow, but then ramps up with multiple AA and AAA titles. This week's AAA title is from Capcom and involves Sci-Fi dinosaurs of all things. The rest of this week's new releases involve supernatural adventures, turn-based tactics, a Japanese RPG game remake, bicycles and more.

Exoprimal / This week's AAA title / Friday 14 July
Exoprimal is an online, team-based action game that pits humanity's cutting-edge exosuit technology against history's most ferocious beasts—dinosaurs. Exosuits are grouped into different roles, and players will pilot these exosuits to hold firm against overwhelming dinosaur swarms in online-only, team-based action game modes.

Publisher Microïds, Microïds Studios Lyon/Paris and Paul Cuisset are happy to unveil a new trailer for Flashback 2, revealing an iconic and familiar environment for all fans of the franchise: the artificial Jungle of Titan! Dive into a captivating modern adventure where the story is constantly reinvented. In the dense jungle of Titan, Conrad B. Hart faces an environment that is both familiar and strangely new.

Take on a fierce enemy and his minions as you discover the wonderful vegetation and fantastic origins of this complex ecosystem. Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering this deep universe for the first time, prepare yourself for a unique experience combining action, combat, platforming, encounters and exploration. Will the Jungle of Titan be your grave or your shelter? Flashback 2 will be available November 16th, 2023 both in digital and retail versions for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

With this week being the 4th of July in the US, it appears that we don't have too many game releases to look forward to, but we managed to dig out a few new releases regardless. This week's AA title comes from Japan, with all that that entails. The rest of this week's releases include some strategy, some shooting, some tagging, some climbing, some darkness and some fear, so make of that what you want. To our US readers, enjoy your holiday this coming week.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie / This week's AA title / Friday 7 July
What destinies await these three fateful figures? Use the Crossroads system to switch between Rean Schwarzer, Lloyd Bannings, and the masked figure "C", and determine the fates of key characters and locations within Zemuria. Dive into refined tactical combat with new features such as United Front, and discover new allies and challenges within the halls of the True Reverie Corridor!

Jackery, a global leader in innovative portable power and green outdoor energy solutions, managed to captivate audiences at Intersolar Europe 2023 in Munich and Outdoor Retailer 2023 in Salt Lake City with its latest breakthrough in next-generation solar generators. In the past weeks, people had the opportunity to experience the cutting-edge technology packed into the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus—a true game-changer in the field of high-performance energy storage solutions for outdoor adventures and off-grid living.

As an industry frontrunner, Jackery continues to redefine the boundaries of portable power with a relentless commitment to reliability, performance, and functionality. The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus epitomizes the brand's unwavering dedication to technological innovation and design philosophy centered around functionality, versatility, and performance. It represents the latest addition to Jackery's signature solar generator lineup, which has already garnered a loyal following among van lifers, off-grid households, and emergency responders worldwide.

As we enter the last week of June. we're looking at AA title as this week's big release and it involves scantily clad men and women in a ring. The rest of this coming week's releases involve farming on alien planets, feuds with friends, oldtimers, tricky ghosts and a pair of turn-based games.

AEW Fight Forever / This week's AA title / Thursday 29 June
Developed by YUKE's, AEW: Fight Forever combines nostalgic arcade-wrestling with All Elite Wrestling finishers and moves. Featuring a big roster of AEW talent, multiple match types, robust career mode, tons of customization options, more than 40 weapons, and so much more!

Every STAR OCEAN fan has their favorite game in the series, but if you asked them all at once, we'd wager that one game in particular grabbed hearts and minds: STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY. Widely considered one of the crown jewels of the series, this beloved RPG is being completely remade for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4 and PC (Steam) as STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R.

Set to release November 2, 2023, It features a stunning new 2.5D visual style, a revamped battle system and quality of life improvements galore, while retaining everything that made that original adventure so beloved. If you've never played the original game, or even the STAR OCEAN series before, you are in for a true treat… and if you're a longtime fan, get ready to experience this classic adventure in a bold new way. Read on and we'll go into much more detail about what you can expect from the game.

Hello readers! We've proudly launched Harmony: The Fall of Reverie on PC and Nintendo Switch—versions for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will arrive on June 22nd. It's a narrative adventure with two vibrant worlds, a cast of loveable characters, and a compelling story we hope all kinds of players will enjoy. One of the main features of our game is the Augural, and that's what we'd like to talk about in this blog. The Augural is the game board and visual representation of our main character, Polly's, gift of clairvoyance. It is the place in which you will foresee and make all your choices in Harmony: The Fall of Reverie.

We wanted to the Augural to be a peaceful and beautiful place where you can prepare your next move without any stress. That's why the Augural is set against a placid lake reflecting a starlit sky, and this starlight conveys the idea of an astronomical map where fates can be deciphered. When we first set out to build the Augural, the intention was to offer significant choices that were well-informed, so you need never be surprised or caught off guard by the decisions you make. From there, it evolved naturally into a way to expose the "core" of the story and show how events are connected to one another. We wanted to do something new in the Choices Matter sub-genre.

This coming week we have a AAA racing title coming for those that are into games which involve driving vehicles at dangerously high speeds. For those of you that prefer something else, we have space battles, RPGs, Will Smith, horror and theme park related games, although several of those titles seem to incorporate danger and high speeds as well.

F1 23 / This week's AAA title / Friday 16 June
Be the last to brake in EA SPORTS F1 23, the official videogame of the 2023 FIA Formula One World Championship, featuring all the updated 2023 cars with the official F1 lineup of your favorite 20 drivers and 10 teams.

Publisher Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive are thrilled to reveal John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, coming in 2024 to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Epic Games Store. Tag team with up to four players in this intense first-person shooter and battle massive hordes of mutated monstrosities to eradicate a supernatural outbreak before it's too late.

Watch the exhilarating reveal trailer, which premiered at the Summer Game Fest live showcase, for a first taste of the title's over-the-top gameplay and John Carpenter-inspired '80s vibes, packed with tons of action, humor and horror. "We're happy to team up once again with our historical partner Saber," said John Bert, Managing Director at Focus Entertainment. "After World War Z, Space Marine 2, Insurgency, SnowRunner, and many others, Toxic Commando is a new entry into the successful long-term relationship between Focus and Saber. We cannot wait to unveil more about this new amazing IP created by the talented teams at Saber and leverage Focus' expertise in turning new franchises into worldwide hits."

As we enter summer, a blizzard from hell is this week's AAA title, a game some of you might already be playing, due to the limited editions coming with early access. Luckily, that's not all we have for you this week, as we also have thunderous gods, side scrollers, lots of horror and some harmony for you. Don't forget to go out in the sunshine and do something in the real world too, summer won't last forever.

Diablo IV / This week's AAA title / Tuesday 6 June
The endless battle between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells rages on as chaos threatens to consume Sanctuary. With ceaseless demons to slaughter, countless Abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and Legendary loot, this vast, open world brings the promise of adventure and devastation. Survive and conquer darkness—or succumb to the shadows.