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Naughty Dog & Nixxes Celebrate The Last of Us Part II Remastered's Launch on PC

Hey everyone, The Last of Us Part II Remastered is available now on PC! We're excited to bring Ellie and Abby's acclaimed stories and the roguelike survival mode No Return to a new audience. We invite you to join us on the Steam Community forums to discuss the game and share your feedback. If you run into any issues and require support, please reach out to Nixxes Support. The teams at Nixxes and Naughty Dog are closely monitoring player feedback and working on post-launch updates.

Experience the winner of over 300 Game of the Year awards, now on PC. Discover Ellie and Abby's story with graphical enhancements, gameplay modes like the roguelike survival experience No Return, and more.

Nintendo Confirms That Switch 2 Joy-Cons Will Not Utilize Hall Effect Stick Technology

Following last week's jam-packed Switch 2 presentation, Nintendo staffers engaged in conversation with media outlets. To the surprise of many, a high level member of the incoming console's design team was quite comfortable with his name-dropping of NVIDIA graphics technologies. Meanwhile, Team Green was tasked with the disclosing of Switch 2's "internal" workings. Attention has turned to the much anticipated-hybrid console's bundled-in detachable Joy-Cons—in the lead up to official unveilings, online debates swirled around potential next-gen controllers being upgraded with Hall Effect joystick modules. Many owners of first-gen Switch systems have expressed frustration regarding faulty Joy-Cons—eventually, Nintendo was coerced into offering free repairs for customers affected by dreaded "stick drift" issues. Unfortunately, it seems that the House of Mario has not opted to outfit its Gen 2.0 Joy-Cons with popular "anti-drift" tech.

As reported by Nintendo Life, Nate Bihldorff—senior vice president of product development and publishing at Nintendo of America—"outright confirmed the exclusion" of Hall Effect. Up until the publication of Nintendo Life's sit down interview, other company representatives have opined that Switch 2's default control system features very "durable feeling" sticks. When asked about the reason behind "new-gen modules (feeling) so different to the original Switch's analog stick," Bihldorff responded with: "well, the Joy-Con 2's controllers have been designed from the ground up. They're not Hall Effect sticks, but they feel really good. Did you experience both the Joy-Con and the Pro Controller?" The interviewer confirmed that they had prior experience with both new models. In response, Bihldorff continued: "so, I like both, but that Pro Controller, for some reason the first time I grabbed it, I was like, 'this feels like a GameCube controller.' I was a GameCube guy. Something about it felt so familiar, but the stick on that especially. I tried to spend a lot of time making sure that it was quiet. I don't know if you tried really whacking the stick around, but it really is (quiet)...(The Switch 2 Pro Controller) is one of the quietest controllers I've ever played." Nintendo will likely not discuss the "ins and outs" of its proprietary stick design, but inevitable independent teardowns of commercial hardware could verify the provenance of underlying mechanisms. Nowadays, hardcore game controller snobs prefer third-party solutions that sport Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) joysticks.

Blue Prince Previewed Ahead of April 10 Launch, Coming to PC & Consoles

It's not every day that you turn on a game and realize you can't even describe its genre. Blue Prince—arriving on April 10 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC (Steam), PS+ Game Catalogue and Game Pass—is a beautifully confounding thing. It's part first-person puzzle, part-strategy deckbuilder, part-roguelite, part-narrative mystery box—and yet none of these quite communicate exactly what developer Dogubomb has managed to create here. You play as Simon, who's just inherited a 45-room estate called Mount Holly—or he will inherit it, if he can find its secret, seemingly impossible 46th room. There's also the small matter of Mount Holly being, well, magical. Every day, its floor plan changes, asking you to piece it back together again—making each journey to discover that secret room an entirely new challenge.

If that sounds a bit confusing, that's entirely the point. Blue Prince is remarkably light on traditional tutorials, instead dropping hints and tips in its shifting rooms along the way. Initially, you'll need to throw yourself into the core process of drafting rooms—upon opening each door you come across, you'll draw three possible rooms that could be behind it, drawn from a pool of potentials. Some rooms are rarer than others, while others will only appear in specific place, but almost every one includes something to collect, a puzzle to solve, or a wider effect on your current run.

Grand Theft Auto V Returning to Xbox & PC Game Pass, on April 15

If you've been missing the streets of Los Santos, I'm excited to share that Grand Theft Auto V is making its way back to Game Pass on April 15! And for those of us who play on PC, I'm even happier to announce that GTAV Enhanced will be playable with PC Game Pass, and includes the latest features, like Hao's Special Works Vehicles and more. Ultimate, PC, and Standard players—keep an eye on @GamePass and @XboxGamePassPC on April 15 for our favorite "available today" reminder!

GTA Online Features
Everyone playing GTAV Enhanced on PC will have access to new vehicles and modifications, Chameleon Paints, and a bunch more all in Hao's Special Works. When playing GTA Online, you'll need to make sure you and your friends are all playing in the same edition so you can squad up—the good news is that Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Standard players have access to all console and PC editions so you can download to play whatever your friends are on. And PC Game Pass players, both editions are available for you to download and play, even if your friends are on Steam or Epic Games.

"Titanfall 3" Tipped for Reveal at TGA 2025, Data Miner Predicts 2026 Launch

Early last month, video game industry watchdogs posited that Respawn Entertainment's reportedly canceled "unannounced incubation project" was some type of Titanfall IP. Certain insiders believed that the recently scrapped project was a "smaller-scale" multiplayer-focused game, rather than a full sequel to 2016's franchise entry. The long dormant first-person shooter sci-fi series has attracted a cult following, but Respawn pivoted with the IP's universe into producing Apex Legends—an extremely popular free-to-play online shooter. Hopes for a third Titanfall title have been revived once more; courtesy of two notorious Apex Legend data miners—YOROTSUKI and Osvaldatore. Earlier today, the latter figure uploaded a cryptic "Titanfall 3" logo to social media. In a more elaborate follow-up post, YOROTSUKI leaked some alleged "inner circle" info.

They dismissed comments about their collaborator simply playing a prank—too late for April Fool's day. They referred back to December, when they openly discussed Respawn's "development of a secret game." These past Discord conversations are now linked forward to an alleged still alive "Titanfall 3" project. YOROTSUKI predicts an unveiling to the public during The Game Awards 2025—so December, at the earliest. An official launch window is allegedly on the EA release calendar for 2026. As interpreted by MP1st, this new leak should be absorbed with maybe more than one grain of salt—the online publication has spent time sniffing out a Respawn Entertainment-adjacent property. Allegedly "Project Bruno" is Bit Reactor's "Star Wars turn-based tactics game," due for an official reveal later this month.

DELTARUNE Chapters 1-4 Arriving on June 5 - Coming to PC, Mac & Consoles

DELTARUNE Chapters 1-4 will release on June 5, 2025. It will be available on PC (Steam), Mac, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, like before—and now also on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. DELTARUNE will cost $24.99. You only have to buy the game once—upcoming Chapters will be added as free updates. That's not factored into the cost, though. I only feel right charging for what there currently is, not what I say there will be. Therefore, this $24.99 to me represents the exact price of four chapters! But, it's my hope that as we complete more Chapters, you'll feel like this game was a super super super super good deal. Just wait, I'll prove it to you...!

Also, the Soundtrack on Steam will cost $14.99. With the release of Chapter 3 and 4, it'll contain over 150 songs! And, if you buy the soundtrack on Steam, every time a Chapter is added, you'll get those tracks, too. Isn't the value actually a little too good?! (hyperventilating and drools on it)...If you've already been buying the individual Chapter soundtracks on Bandcamp, Chapters 3&4 will be released as a separate release there as well.

Official: Nintendo Switch 2 Leveled Up With NVIDIA "Custom Processor" & AI-Powered Tech

The Nintendo Switch 2, unveiled April 2, takes performance to the next level, powered by a custom NVIDIA processor featuring an NVIDIA GPU with dedicated RT Cores and Tensor Cores for stunning visuals and AI-driven enhancements. With 1,000 engineer-years of effort across every element—from system and chip design to a custom GPU, APIs and world-class development tools—the Nintendo Switch 2 brings major upgrades. The new console enables up to 4K gaming in TV mode and up to 120 FPS at 1080p in handheld mode. Nintendo Switch 2 also supports HDR, and AI upscaling to sharpen visuals and smooth gameplay.

AI and Ray Tracing for Next-Level Visuals
The new RT Cores bring real-time ray tracing, delivering lifelike lighting, reflections and shadows for more immersive worlds. Tensor Cores power AI-driven features like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), boosting resolution for sharper details without sacrificing image quality. Tensor Cores also enable AI-powered face tracking and background removal in video chat use cases, enhancing social gaming and streaming. With millions of players worldwide, the Nintendo Switch has become a gaming powerhouse and home to Nintendo's storied franchises. Its hybrid design redefined console gaming, bridging TV and handheld play.

Enter the Gungeon 2 Unveiled by Dodge Roll & Devolver Digital, 2026 Launch Teased

Rejoice, Gungeoneers! Kaliber has heard your prayers! Enter the Gungeon 2 is in active development and will be coming to PC (Steam) and Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. You can wishlist it now, even if you don't own a PC. Enter the Gungeon 2 is a reloaded, high-caliber sequel, enhanced with a new 3D art style, new weapons, new enemies, and expanded gameplay. Battle through familiar and unknown areas of the ruined Gungeon, uncovering secrets and mastering powerful weapons while destroying legions of Gundead, previously confined to the 2D plane. Choose from an expanding roster of Gungeoneers, new and old, rescue marooned heroes, and grow stronger through powerful passive and active items, blessings, curses, and your mastery of a vast arsenal of weapons.

And seek to understand why you find yourself under assault in the Gungeon once again…We're thrilled to finally reveal Enter the Gungeon 2—you've been asking for it for so long! But please note we're still in the midst of development, so we can't share too much just yet. In the meantime, we've set up an official Discord server for Dodge Roll, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the announcement. Join to share your feedback, get updates directly from the team, enjoy giveaways, and hang out with other Gungeoneers.

Nintendo Confirms Switch 2's DLSS & Ray Tracing Support, No Comment on "NVIDIA SoC"

As expected, Nintendo's lengthy Switch 2 presentation contained very little technical information—the upcoming hybrid console's feature set, software library and user experience were showcased extensively. A series of leaks and plenty of online speculation—going back to earlier in the decade—pointed to the highly-anticipated Switch successor being based on an NVIDIA hardware foundation. A mysterious "Tegra 239" chipset emerged as the "logical" choice for Nintendo's next-gen system, but company representatives will likely not comment on the exact nature of internal components. Several months after the launch of Wii U, independent analysis (by Chipworks) of the host console's "Latte" GPU core verified a Radeon 4650/4670-class design. To the surprise of many industry watchdogs, a Nintendo employee has officially confirmed Switch 2's support of NVIDIA graphics technologies.

As disclosed to IGN—during a press junket—Takuhiro Dohta (senior director of the firm's Planning & Development Division) stated: "we use DLSS upscaling technology and that's something that we need to use as we develop games. And when it comes to the hardware, it is able to output to a TV at a maximum of 4K. Whether the software developer is going to use that as a native resolution, or get it to upscale is something that the software developer can choose. I think it opens up a lot of options for the software developer to choose from. Yes, the GPU does support ray tracing. As with DLSS, I believe this provides yet another option for the software developers to use and a tool for them." When pressed about the exact origins of the console's beating heart, Dohta deflected responsibility in the direction of Team Green: "Nintendo doesn't share too much on the hardware spec...What we really like to focus on is the value that we can provide to our consumers. But I do believe that our partner—NVIDIA—will be sharing some information." As pointed out by VideoCardz, Nintendo's hardware technical manager only mentioned options for the development side of things, not end user features. Yesterday's Metroid Prime 4: Beyond preview segment indicated that the title's Switch 2 Edition will arrive with four profiles; VideoCardz theorizes that DLSS will be used for differing levels—quality/performance—in handheld or docked operation.

The Talos Principle Reawakened is a "Complete Modernization" of Croteam's 2014 Classic

We're excited to reveal that The Talos Principle Reawakened is not just a remaster, but a complete modernization of our 2014 classic, carefully redesigned for 2025 gaming standards. Because, let's be honest games today aren't just about deep thinking and careful exploration. No, no, no. We—at Croteam and Devolver Digital—know that in today's gaming landscape, engagement is king and effort is optional. So, we've made sure our remaster aligns with modern industry standards: maximum retention, minimum thinking! Check out all the new features in the video below.

The Talos Principle: Reawakened introduces new content, enhanced gameplay, and a gorgeously upgraded presentation. Relive the critically acclaimed expansion Road to Gehenna and dive into an all-new chapter, In the Beginning. Discover the story of Alexandra Drennan, as she faces profound existential questions while orchestrating the Simulation's first critical test, challenging players to think deeply about the human condition. Rebuilt with Unreal Engine 5, the Simulation world you remember is now more immersive and detailed than ever before. Enhanced lighting, textures, and environmental design breathe new life into every corner of the game, alongside modernized quality-of-life updates that maintain the vision of the original classic.

STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions Announced During Switch 2 Showcase, 2026 Multi-platform Launch Slated

Today in the Nintendo Switch 2 Showcase, we got to announce the big project we have been working on in the background: STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions! STARSEEKER will take players on a multiplayer voyage of discovery, cooperative expeditions, and camaraderie. Exploring deep space on the ESS Starseeker, players will need to work together with the entire crew of the space station to complete planet-wide objectives across a multitude of star systems using cutting edge technology. STARSEEKER is a multi-platform game that is slated to release in 2026.

If you would like to follow development and get your hands on BETA access as soon as it becomes available, make sure to join our Discord; using this link. To answer the biggest question that Astroneer fans: No, STARSEEKER is not a direct sequel or Astroneer 2. STARSEEKER exists within the same universe as Astroneer, but it's a very different game. That being said, Astroneer is still in active development!

CRKD Unveils G.O.A.T. Controller Range: Goat Simulator-themed Nitro Deck & NEO S Models

CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck and NEO S collectible controllers, has announced an udderly incredible creative collaboration with Coffee Stain North, bringing the charm of the farm to the end of your arm with a new range of Goat Simulator-themed collectible controllers! The announcement came during Goat Simulator Direct, a presentation looking at the future of Goat Simulator, and reflecting on the last year of goat-tastic announcements in celebration of the franchise's 10-year anniversary.

Available exclusively from crkd.gg and for a limited time only, the new collectible controller collection is the collaboration ewe never knew you needed, and hooves that CRKD is delivering what gamers are bleating for. Easily the most popular goat-based video game released in modern times, Goat Simulator is a worldwide phenomenon hailing from the genius minds at Coffee Stain North. Celebrating ten years of farm-based fun, Goat Simulator 3 recently enjoyed a physical release on Nintendo Switch, ideal for pairing with one of CRKD's award-winning collectible controllers!

Xbox Game Pass Early April Lineup: South of Midnight, Blue Prince, Borderlands 3, & More...

It's time to confront some magical creatures (or maybe just your backlog) with these games coming soon! Some surprise benefits and announcements you might have missed, day one games (with some amazing music; looking at you South of Midnight), and more. Let's get to it!

Coming Soon
Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) - April 3
Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, Game Pass Standard
Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition packs bazillions of guns and is a mayhem-fueled adventure, featuring the base game plus all four campaign add-ons, Director's Cut content, and all cosmetic packs! Blast through worlds and enemies as one of four Vault Hunters, each with deep skill trees, abilities, and customization. Play solo or join with friends to take on insane enemies, score loads of loot, and save your home from the most ruthless cult leaders in the galaxy.

Monster Train 2 Launching on May 21, Coming to PC & Consoles - Steam Demo Available Now

No kidding. This is not a drill. Monster Train 2 will be in your hands in under two months. If you haven't already, please enjoy the trailer (watch below), wishlist the game, and get ready for five all-new clans, dozens of new cards, and surprises of all shapes and sizes. As we ramp up towards launch, we'll be back at a regular cadence giving you deep dives into Monster Train 2's new content, from clan deep-dives to new game mode reveals and more. All aboard.

If you've spent enough time on the internet, you already know what today is about. It's about goofs. It's about tricks. It's about "pulling a fast one." April Fools' Day in the video game world is a particularly special time for video game studios like us. With the right April Fools' Day announcement, your game can land at the top of the gaming news sites and subreddits.

Atomfall's Launch a Resounding Success, Rebellion Celebrates 1.5+ Million Player Count Milestone

Rebellion, one of the world's most successful independent video game developers and publishers, has announced that Atomfall significantly surpassed the one million player mark over the weekend, having only launched last week. In total Atomfall has now been played by over 1.5 million players. A brand-new IP set in the north of England, Atomfall is Rebellion's most successful launch in the company's 32-year history.

"We are delighted that so many players are enjoying Atomfall," said Jason Kingsley CBE, CEO and co-founder of Rebellion. "To have surpassed the one million players in such a short space of time speaks volumes for the creativity and dedication of the entire team here at Rebellion. Our size and stability mean that we can take risks to create something as different as Atomfall. Happily, that risk is paying off. We are a British company, and the game is a true reflection of that. Not only is it set in the lush, beautiful countryside but Atomfall also draws inspiration from so many classic British books, films and TV series. We hope that players continue to enjoy exploring the world of Atomfall and are looking forward to future content for the game."

Capcom Releases Monster Hunter Wilds Bonus "10 Million Celebration Item Pack"

We are giving away a special item pack as a token of appreciation for everyone's support of Monster Hunter Wilds. Hello hunters! This is Yuya Tokuda, the director of Monster Hunter Wilds. Thank you so much for playing Monster Hunter Wilds. As announced yesterday, Monster Hunter Wilds has now sold more than 10 million copies globally. We are very happy that so many people around the world are playing the game. To commemorate the 10 million milestone, we have released a free item pack for the community.

We would also like to thank you for the many comments, thoughts and feedback we have received since the game was released. The development team has been reading your feedback, and we are encouraged by it. We are also using the comments and feedback we have received to help us plan our future actions. In this message, I'd like to take a moment to run through some of our upcoming plans based on your feedback, including a few areas that have already been in the works.

Bandai Namco Reveals SUPER ROBOT WARS Y, Teases 2025 Launch on PC, PS5 & Switch

Mecha fandoms collide in an epic battle to determine the world's future in the upcoming tactical RPG series SUPER ROBOT WARS Y. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. and developed by Bandai Namco Forge Digitals Inc., the game features immersive strategic game play and is a return for the legendary series to the West in a English localized installment, following the success of SUPER ROBOT WARS 30. The anticipated sequel brings together iconic mecha characters and units from beloved series including COMBATTLER V, Aura Battler Dunbine, Mobile Fighter G Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam the Witch from Mercury (Season 1), Majestic Prince, Macross Delta: Passionate Walküre, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, Getter Robo Arc, and more. SUPER ROBOT WARS Y will launch in 2025 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

In the looming calamity of inevitable ruin, SUPER ROBOT WARS Y challenges the guardians of steel to rise and conquer fate. The lauded series combines an all-star mecha cast, action-packed attack animations, and an upgrade system to customize various units and pilots. The game also features a deep and engaging original story that weaves together universes from a variety of mecha anime. In a battle to determine the world's future, players strategically command an army on a grid-based battlefield, utilizing their arsenal of weapons and abilities to defeat the opposing army. SUPER ROBOT WARS Y is the anticipated new entry to the franchise, following the 2021 hit SUPER ROBOT WARS 30, as a must-have for fans of the long-running game series in the West.

Alleged Old Build Screenshots of Bit Reactor's "Star Wars Turn-Based Tactics Game" Leaked

Over three years ago, Bit Reactor was announced as the lead development partner on a mysterious "Star Wars strategy game." According to an early 2022 press release, Respawn Entertainment would collaborate on this new IP project. As disclosed in a recent Star Wars Celebration LIVE! schedule, company representatives will present a "first look at a new Star Wars turn-based tactics" title on Saturday, April 19. MP1st has somewhat spoiled this upcoming public reveal, by publishing an article that contains an impressive collection of "sneak peek" screenshots from project "Bruno." This alleged internal codename was uncovered when the online publication "procured" images from an unnamed Bit Reactor artist's portfolio. MP1st claims that the leaked images are: "dated to mid-2023, indicating that they belong to an early build of the game...The gameplay screenshots showcase elements common to the turn-based genre, like an isometric view and a party of characters."

Familiar Star Wars faction designs and technologies are showcased in captures of this older "Bruno" build. Gameplay and user interface concepts seemingly demonstrate where Bit Reactor's collective expertise lies. The Baltimore metropolitan area-based studio is headed by Greg Foerstch (formerly of Firaxis Games); a tenured artistic director of multiple turn-based strategy favorites. His indie outfit describes how members have (previously): "developed some of the most successful games you've heard of, such as XCOM, Civilization, Gears of War, and Elders Scrolls Online. We learned from the best and reached the pinnacle with the highest accolades, including Game of the Year and BAFTA." As interpreted by MP1st, the leaked early interface mock-ups suggest a multi-platform release—with "controller button" prompts spotted on several shots.

CRKD Introduces NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition Controller

CRKD, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck and NEO S collectible controllers, has announced the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition, a licensed, special edition NEO S controller, designed for use with Fortnite Festival and other rhythm-based games. Compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TVs, the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is a one-off drop that features artwork inspired by the LINKIN PARK Instruments in Fortnite Festival and the recent launch of two brand new Fortnite Festival Jam Tracks including the band's new single "Up From The Bottom" off of the upcoming Deluxe Edition album From Zero, out May 16, 2025 via Warner Records.

Available for pre-order today, the NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is expected to ship in May of this year. The NEO S LINKIN PARK Edition is the second NEO S controller in CRKD's Festival range, bringing gamers closer to the music they love and transforming the Fortnite Festival experience thanks to the unique Festival Attachment (included), which replicates the frets found on a real guitar, providing a more authentic and immersive experience.

Frogwares Teases Upcoming Launch of The Sinking City: Remastered on PC & Modern Consoles

Charles Reed returns to Oakmont, a city drowning in supernatural mystery and eldritch terror—now fully remastered with Unreal Engine 5! Coming soon to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series, including a free upgrade for existing owners. Check out some more comparison screenshots in 4K! In the 1920s, on the East Coast of the United States, a half-submerged city is gripped by supernatural forces. You're a private investigator, uncovering the truth of what has possessed the city and corrupted the minds of its inhabitants... and yours.

Don't Forget!
The Kickstarter for The Sinking City 2 is ending in just five days! Help us reach our next exciting stretch goal: introducing a brand new, terrifying version of the Shoggoth. You can also grab The Sinking City as an add-on through our campaign. Your support makes a huge difference!

Grinding Gear Games Clarifies Path of Exile 2's Map Portals System, Publishes "Dawn of the Hunt" FAQ

During the livestream reveal of Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, we discussed several things in the Q&A that we'd like to provide some further clarification on. In today's news post we'd like to start with additional information about Map Portals in Dawn of the Hunt! We'd like to clarify the situation with having to use portals each time you die. The concern raised during the Q&A was that you would be consuming portals to have to store items in your stash or trade with players. With so few portals, as low as one, you would not be able to leave the map and return.

Map Portals
We have made the following change to address this problem: you will now be able to enter and exit your Maps as much as you like as long as you haven't died. The number of portals is now representative of the number of revives you have during the Map, so if you are able to survive you can come and go as you please. We also wanted to clarify that when returning to a map after dying you will return to the last checkpoint, so if you forgot to make a portal you won't have to run through too much of an empty map to get back to where you died. We're also currently making a change which hopefully will make it for release, otherwise shortly after. This change is that when you die in a Map then revive, assuming you have any revives remaining, you will be instantly placed at the last checkpoint without any loading screens, so you don't need to return to your hideout and re-enter the map every time. We'll continue to provide further updates to topics discussed during the Q&A in the lead up to launch, so keep an eye on our announcements!

Xbox Wire Goes Hands-on with DOOM: The Dark Ages

As the third part of what you might call a trilogy, I went into my first hands-on for DOOM: The Dark Ages with some expectations. While they have their differences, DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal had lain the groundwork - I felt like I knew what id Software had in store for me, even if this prequel story and its new medieval sci-fi aesthetic might put it in a different context. Three hours later, my expectations had been blasted to pieces like so much Arachnotron meat. DOOM: The Dark Ages retains the core hallmarks of id's recent games—pulse-pounding combat, gloriously Grand Guignol aesthetics, and music as ear-rattling as its guns—but it pushes the structure of DOOM far beyond what we've known before. I was able to play slices of four distinct sections of The Dark Ages, each designed to show me a different facet of the game, and each revealing quite how wild this will get. Let me walk you through each one.

Story Mission
"Before he became a hero, he was the super weapon of gods and kings." So reads the text slate that opens DOOM: The Dark Ages. It's an absurdly badass mission statement for the game that follows. But, playing just the opening stretch of the game, it pays off multiple times. This section showed off the most familiar form of DOOM. A cutscene (yes, there are cutscenes for the story now, not just codex entries) introduces the demon-beleaguered planet of Argent D'Nur, the questionably benevolent god-race known as the Makyrs, and our familiar lead character kept captive to be unleashed on hellish threats. And from there, I'm handed a shotgun and a shield, and told to do what a DOOM Slayer does best.

Cyan Worlds Halves its Development Team, Securing Financing for Next Project

Cyan friends and family, we have some difficult news to share today. We would like to share with you some very unfortunate news. Despite our best efforts to avoid it, Cyan has made the difficult decision to reduce our overall staff size resulting in the layoff of twelve talented staff members, roughly half the team-effective at the end of March. Industry conditions have forced us into a tricky spot where we are having to weigh the future health of our studio against the month-to-month realities of game development in 2025.

Throughout the past year, we have been ultra-transparent with the entire Cyan team about the choppy waters we find ourselves in, as well as the dangers ahead. While the news of a layoff was not a surprise to the team, it was (and is) still deeply saddening for all of us. Although we have done our best to pad the landing for those affected with severance packages, we would implore any fellow developers looking for world-class talent to reach out. For now, our number one priority is to secure financing for our next project, and to restabilize the studio. We've been around for a very long time, and have been through tough times before. Our sincere hope is to continue to be around, and to provide the types of experiences that only Cyan can deliver.

As always, we are grateful for all the love and support from our amazing player community.
Sincerely, Cyan Leadership

Tribute Games & Dotemu Introduce MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, Launching Later This Year

Greetings, heroes! Tribute Games, Dotemu, and Marvel Games assemble today to announce MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, an arcade-style beat 'em up featuring an incredible roster of characters from Marvel's golden eras!

A Cosmic Battle awaits!
After Annihilus has launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, all life hangs in the balance. Nova, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Phyla-Vell, Captain America, and many more heroes, both earth-born and cosmic, will join forces in a star-spanning brawling adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave. Get ready to brawl through the streets of New York City and all the way to the depths of the Negative Zone to foil Annihilus' plan to spread death across the cosmos!

Chucklefish Unveils Witchbrook, a Spellbinding Witch Life-sim Game

Welcome Coven members, old and new. We—at Chucklefish and Robotality—are so excited to finally pull back the curtain and share a glimpse of what we've been brewing in the studio these past few years. Witchbrook has been a true labour of love, crafted by our small team here at Chucklefish (with some recent, incredible help from our friends at Robotality!). It's been a journey of hundreds of hours poured into art, music, and code, and we're beyond excited to give you a first look at the magical world of Witchbrook.

We'll also have a fresh edition of The Oracle, our in-game newspaper with a new editor at the helm, where you can catch up on the latest happenings in the sunny seaside city of Mossport, releasing in the next few days. It's your gateway to staying connected with the in-world happenings, so be sure to sign up here. Over the next few months, we'll be sharing more gameplay, details, and fun surprises. In the meantime, we'd love for you to join us and the rest of the community over on Discord. We pride ourselves on having a warm and welcoming community, and would love for folks to join us on our journey.
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