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EA has released another massive base game update for The Sims 4, featuring hundreds of bug-fixes, a new clothing category, and major overhauls to the way Sim-parents interact with Infants and Toddlers. GameSpot spoke to Sims 4 producer Morgan Henry via email to get a better idea of how these new features work, which bugs the team is working on fixing in the near future, and what's next for The Sims franchise.

Henry has been a part of The Sims 4 team since 2018, overseeing the production of many of the game's 100+ DLC packs. But she says the new base game update--which is available to all players, free of charge--is one of its biggest patches yet, and she's especially fond of the improvements to interactions between Sim-parents and their Infants.

GameSpot: This new update is huge. What aspects of the update are The Sims 4 team most excited for players to get their hands on?

Indie-RPG Outward 2 is releasing on Steam Early Access on July 7, and developer Nine Dots Studio wants to make sure you know that even if your PC is an ancient-potato rig, the game will run just fine.

In a new video announcing the co-op survival RPG's release date and system requirements, Nine Dots revealed the game looks great on max settings with at least a GeForce RTX 40780 and 32GB of RAM. But what Nine Dots really wants people to know is how it runs on some of the worst settings imaginable, and it has delivered.

If you are somehow still rocking a GeForce GTX 750 TI with only 8GB, you're in luck, as Outward 2 comes equipped with a "potato" settings preset that is even below the "very low" settings found in the game's minimum system requirements.

Video game menus have a tough job, as they're designed to grab your attention for a brief moment in time. They're an art form to successfully pull off, and on social media, people are taking notice of them. One of the new trends emerging currently is IRL video game menus, as people are turning themselves, friends, and cats into stars for custom-made interfaces for games that sadly don't exist.

That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy these quick breaks from reality, and some of these menus are very slick. They embody some of the coolest designs seen over the years, with games like Batman: Arkham City, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, and God of War's 2018 reboot serving as inspiration. Those games--and many others--all have a similar main-menu vibe, as they constantly switch between 3D models that are barely frozen in time, highlighting several action-packed scenes and poses.

We've gathered up a few examples below, as well as a few tips on how you can make your own video for your own social media profile.

Firaxis Games and 2K released the highly anticipated Test of Time update for Sid Meier's Civilization VII today, May 19. It's the most substantial update the 4X strategy game has received since its February launch, reworking how Civilization functions and how victories are achieved in ways that radically change the game.

When Civilization 7 came out, one way it radically differed from previous games in the series was that it had players pick a new Civilization each time they entered a new age. This change was a contentious one within the franchise's community, and the Test of Times update backtracks by introducing "Time-Tested Civs" that withstand age transitions.

Instead of changing civilizations, players will be able to add specific units or infrastructure from other civilizations to their repertoire. Each civilization will also have an "apex age" where it's the most powerful. You can still switch if you want, but I suspect that Time-Tested Civs will quickly become the preferred way to play for many.

Forza Horizon 6 offers another massive open world to fulfill your every racing and car culture desire, but among all the headlining features it offers, it also addresses a small but annoying milestone of the franchise that has irritatingly been seen in every previous entry in the series: a goal that insists you drive down literally every last stretch of road.

There are always hundreds of roads in these games, and you don't get credit for driving on a road until you've driven the whole length of it. The game tracks which roads you've been on by changing them from gray to white (or orange for dirt roads) on the map screen.

For those who wanted to complete this feat and unlock the related Achievement or Trophy, this often meant painstakingly scanning over the map after many hours to find small patches of grayed-out roads that you'd not yet cruised over. Thus, maddeningly, the closer you were to finishing this task, the harder it was to spot the little bits you'd missed.

There is now proof that Diablo 4's most powerful and rare items, Mythic Uniques, can appear in Charm form, and it's sending the game's community into a theory-crafting frenzy.

Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred expansion released last month and completely retooled how building a character works in Blizzard's ARPG with the introduction of the Talisman and Charms. Charms are essentially passive bonuses players can equip separate from armor and weapons, allowing for even more build customization through additional effects and even set bonuses.

It was known that every Unique item in the game could be found as a Charm (or even created using the Horadric Cube), granting access to the often build-defining affixes Uniques possess without having to sacrifice a gear slot. What wasn't known was that there are actually Charm versions of the best items in all of Diablo 4--Mythic Uniques like Heir of Perdition.

Darksiders: Warmastered Edition

$30

Darksiders has returned to consoles, as THQ Nordic has re-released the first game's Warmastered edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The good news is that if you're on Xbox and already own Darksiders for Xbox One, that upgrade is free and brings with it native 4K rendering, 60fps gameplay, and a new Photo Mode.

The bad news is that if you're on PS5, upgrading the PS4 edition is going to cost you $10 (via Prima Games). It's worth noting that, beyond the photo mode, the new current-gen edition only adds a bump in resolution and frame rate, features that many game developers have added for free to their respective titles throughout the current console generation.

So what's going on here? Most Xbox games with upgrade paths are free as part of the console's Smart Delivery system. Introduced alongside the Xbox Series X|S consoles in late 2020, the feature automatically ensures that you're getting the best version of a game you've previously purchased, regardless of your console's generation. For example, purchasing a Smart Delivery game for your Xbox One means that you'll gain access to its optimized version if you hop to Xbox Series X|S.

Big changes have been happening at Xbox over the last couple of months--from Xbox Game Pass price modifications to an all-caps rebranding--and Microsoft's gaming division is now looking to hear directly from its users with the launch of the Xbox Player Voice.

Essentially a hangout for gamers to voice their thoughts and ideas, the Xbox Player Voice is a Reddit-like forum for comments that users can vote on so that its visibility is boosted. Teams analyze feedback and ideas that could potentially be implemented in the Xbox ecosystem, but Microsoft did stress that not every idea will make the cut.

"We want to be clear: this doesn't mean every piece of feedback will turn into a feature or result in a change," Microsoft wrote. "Building across a large, global platform means weighing a lot of inputs. But better visibility helps close the gap between what you tell us and what you see happen next on Xbox."

Disney and Fortnite are teaming up to promote the upcoming Star Wars film The Mandalorian and Grogu with a new in-game screening area that will allow players to watch the first 12 minutes of the movie. The map is live right now, and you can find the Mandalorian and Grogu Watch Party Island in the Discover section of the lobby. And the good news is there's more to do there than just watch the clip, since the map is a small open world with quests that players can complete.

The activities around the map, which is set on the planet Nevarra from the show and movie, are similar to the relatively simple quests of Lego Fortnite Brick Life--think fetch quests and defeating stormtroopers. It's not particularly complex, but there's a lot more content here than you'd probably expect. Fortnite has had many watch party islands in the past, but none have really been quite this robust.

This watch party island, made in Unreal Editor for Fortnite, is part of Fortnite's ongoing push for custom Star Wars experiences in Fortnite, like the new modes we tried out at the beginning of May. In that way, this watch party map serves as a pretty compelling proof of concept for a quest-based open-world map--it's not too tough to imagine somebody being able to use a map like this to tell an interesting story, since the environment on this map already looks like it was ripped straight from a AAA game anyway.

Say goodbye

Microsoft has announced the next slate of removals from the Xbox Game Pass library, and there are five games leaving on May 31.

It's bad news for fans of Atlus RPGs, as two brilliant games from the company are on their way out. Persona 4: Golden joins GameSpot's 2024 Game of the Year, Metaphor: ReFantazio, in the departures lounge.

As a reminder, if you'd like to keep any of these games, you can buy them at a discount as Game Pass subscribers can save up to 20% before they're removed from the service.

Against the Storm

Against the Storm leaves Xbox Game Pass for cloud, console, and PC on May 31.

Crypt Custodian

Crypt Custodian leaves Xbox Game Pass for cloud, console, and PC on May 31.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Metaphor: ReFantazio leaves Xbox Game Pass for cloud, console, and PC on May 31.

Persona 4 Golden

Persona 4 Golden leaves Xbox Game Pass for cloud, console, and PC on May 31.

Spray Paint Simulator

Spray Paint Simulator leaves Xbox Game Pass for cloud, console, and PC on May 31.

The second wave of new arrivals to Xbox Game Pass has been announced for May 2026, and following hot on the heels of big releases like Mixtape and Subnautica 2, there's a lot to look forward to. Here's the full list of everything being added starting May 19:

• Forza Horizon 6 (May 19)
• Dead Static Drive (May 20)
• My Friend Peppa Pig (May 20)
• Pigeon Simulator (May 20)
• Remnant 2 (May 20)
• Winter Burrow (May 20)
• Luna Abyss (May 21)
• Escape Simulator (May 26)
• Echo Generation 2 (May 27)
• The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition (May 27)
• Crashout Crew (May 28)
• Kabuto Park (May 28)
• Final Fantasy 6 (June 2)
• Jurassic World Evolution 3 (June 2)

Kicking things off with this month's new arrivals is Forza Horizon 6. Microsoft's big racing game franchise is back with a gorgeous tour across Japan, and while there's nothing truly groundbreaking here, it's hard to not smile when you're taking on a Gundam in spectacular showdowns. This marks the global launch of Forza Horizon 6, following its early access release this week.

May 20 will have several games unlocked in the Game Pass vault, starting with the whistling-challenged My Friend Peppa Pig. This time, players can create their very own character and interact with Peppa, as well as several other famous faces from the beloved cartoon series. You can also explore New Squawk City in Pigeon Simulator, joining the top-secret Paranormal Examination and Kontainment unit to take down dangerous anomalies. For some Grand Theft Cthulu fun, check out Dead Static Drive.

Perhaps because he's so cute and marketable, Yoshi's adventures have been designed for a younger and younger audience for the last several years. 2006's Yoshi's Island DS was not out-of-step with the difficulty of a mainline Mario game, but since then, the challenge of mainline Yoshi games has been slowly softened to target younger audiences. With Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Nintendo has made the gameplay even more gentle for gaming novices--but what it lacks in difficulty, it mostly makes up for in creativity and a playful gimmick built around discovery and exploration.

Yoshi and the Mysterious Book isn't a typical platformer. You don't move left to right to reach a finish line, Yoshi can't die, and there aren't enemies to overcome in a traditional sense. Instead, the stages are little biospheres teeming with natural flora and fauna. Rather than fight them, you're there to study and document them--Yoshi is less of an adventurer this time around, and more of a research assistant.

You're conducting research inside the pages of Mister Encyclopedia, aka Mr. E, a conscious compendium of all life on a remote, unnamed island. The Yoshis volunteer to jump into the pages of the book and document their findings, putting each of the creatures there through their paces. That usually includes documenting how they taste, what happens if you throw them, how they interact with their environment, and even how they interact with each other. This transforms stages into little standalone playgrounds where you experiment with a new creature and see what it can do. The play is about the discovery itself, as you observe different reactions and the game gently guides you to try new things.

Nintendo has a new mobile game on the way, which will turn your selfies into quirky WarioWare-esque minigames. The game is called Pictonico!, and will release on May 28 for Android and iPhone.

Pictonico! was co-developed by Intelligent Systems, the studio behind the WarioWare series of games, and that influence is clear from the minigames Nintendo has teased so far. The main difference is that Pictonico’s minigames pull faces from your photos, warping real people into its absurd minigames.

When setting up the game, you can either snap a photo in the moment or pull an existing picture from your gallery--meaning friends, family, or even your favorite celebrities could be subjected to the indignity of starring in a WarioWare-style game.

Square-Enix's line of HD-2D role-playing games have been hailed for how they balance nostalgic appeal with modern-day visuals, and next month, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales joins that growing library. A new demo for the game is also available right now, giving you an early slice of the next title from the creators behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default.

An action-RPG with real-time combat, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales follows the adventurer Elliot and his fairy sidekick Faie on their journey to complete a thousand-year mission. As part of their mission to lift the curse placed on Princess Heuria of Huther, Elliot and Faie will explore different periods in history, from humanity's strife-filled Age of Reconstruction to the height of prosperity in the Age of Magic. Every era has a looming threat that Elliot and Fae must deal with, and like previous Square-Enix games, the entire experience looks like an homage to Super NES-era JRPGs.

"The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales has some elements to overcome--a chatty companion character and, let's be honest, a clunky title," Steve Watts wrote in his preview. "But it also showed that HD-2D can be applied to other genres that we remember fondly from decades ago. And more than just empty nostalgia or homage, it looks to build on those elements."

Mortal Kombat Klassic: Sub-Zero

$32 | Releases August 23

Mortal Kombat Klassic: Reptile

$30 | Releases August 23

Mortal Kombat is back in the spotlight thanks to the release of the new live-action film, and if you're looking to bring some of that video game magic home, you can check out two new collectible action figures. McFarlane Toys is expanding its line of Mortal Kombat toys with two new "Klassic" Sub-Zero and Reptile figures. Bearing a design that harkens back to their arcade roots, each figure is also constructed from translucent materials to make them stand out on your shelf and you can preorder them ahead of their August 23 arrival.

The greatest weapon of the Lin Kuei ninja order, Sub-Zero, has been realized in a cool blue plastic inspired by his ice clone ability. The figure comes with an alternate set of hands, a base, and is packaged inside a display box. Featuring 22 points of articulation, it's seven inches tall.

Similar to Sub-Zero, Reptile has also been manufactured in a plastic that makes the infamous assassin almost invisible. Featuring a smoky translucent design, the Reptile figure also comes with an alternate set of swap-out hands, a full range of articulation, display box packaging, and is the same height as Sub-Zero above.

To expand the collection--and host your very own Mortal Kombat tournament--you can pick up several more figures from McFarlane Toys. The lineup currently includes fan-favorite characters like Johnny Cage, Raiden, and Ermac alongside a regular version of Reptile.

• Ermac -- $30
• Jade -- $35
• Johnny Cage -- $32
• Kitana -- $30
• Noob Saibot -- $35
• Raiden -- $29.51
• Reptile -- $30
• Reptile (Invisible) -- $32
• Sub-Zero (Ice Clone) -- $30

It's nearly the end of May, and Fanatical is celebrating with another one of their annual sales on digital games. The May Madness sale, live and running until May 31, has over 10,000 discounted digital games available, including brand new titles like Resident Evil Requiem for $57.39 (was $70) or Crimson Desert for $59.49 (was $70). But another interesting aspect is that even preorders for upcoming games are discounted. You can get 007 First Light for $60.89 (was $70) or The Blood of Dawnwalker for $59.49 (was $70), just to name a couple. Along with these every day discounts, each day of the sale will also include multiple limited-time Flash Deals offering even bigger discounts on select titles popular games. And finally, if you spend $15 or more on a single purchase, you can get an extra digital game or coupon code. Keep in mind, all of these games come as digital download codes for redemption on Steam.

If you're looking to finally pull the trigger on some more recent releases like Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert mentioned above, this sale has plenty of titles that launched within the last year or two at nice new discounts. Marathon is Bungie's next big thing, available for $34.39 (was $40) for the new extraction shooter. I'd also highly recommend Mixtape, a slice of life John Hughes-inspired teenage romp set to a killer soundtrack for $18 (was $20). And if you're a fan of gigantic open world RPGs with plenty of customization and humor to boot, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is down to $28.19 (was $60).

Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle

$500 | Launches June 7, 2026

On May 12, Nintendo announced a new $500 Nintendo Switch 2 Choose Your Game Bundle that includes the console and a digital game code. The download code can be used on one of three possible titles: Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokemon Pokopia. When purchased separately, Mario Kart World retails for $80, while Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokemon Pokopia both retail for $70. At the Switch 2's current $450 price tag, that saves shoppers at least $20-$30 depending on which game you buy. Once the price hike goes into effect, then you're essentially getting one of those full-priced digital games for free. If you've been looking forward to buying it, good news: the bundle is available to preorder now at Best Buy, GameStop, and Nintendo.

As mentioned above, this new bundle includes the Switch 2 console, Switch 2 dock, a set of Joycon 2 controllers, and all the necessary components to hook the device up to your TV. You also get a voucher code that lets you pick one of three digital edition games from the Nintendo eShop:

• Mario Kart World (normally $80)
• Donkey Kong Bananza (normally $70)
• Pokemon Pokopia (normally $70)

There is only one voucher per console, and you can only use the voucher once. However, once you've redeemed the game, it's added to your library permanently and you'll be able to download and play whenever you want. You can also share the downloaded game to other Switch 2 devices you own or those on your NSO family plan via the Swtich 2's Virtual Game Card system.

If you're planning to pick up the bundle but aren't sure which game to use the voucher on, you can check out our reviews for Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokemon Pokopia--all of which scored 9/10 from our reviewers--to see which might appeal to you most. Note that you'll have to download the full game to your Switch 2 before you can start playing, which can take a while depending on the file size and the strength of your internet connection. Luckily, the Switch 2 ships with 256 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough to download and install any of the games on offer. It can also be expanded using a microSD Express card. Here's the data footprint of each of the three games you can pick, in case you're curious:

• Mario Kart World: 22 GB
• Donkey Kong Bananza: 9 GB
• Pokemon Pokopia: 6.2 GB

If the games in this bundle don't appeal to you and you just want to grab a Switch 2 at the lowest possible price, you can do that at most major retailers for $449. As long as you get your order in before September 1, you'll still get the old price before the increase. While Nintendo may not reduce the cost of its first-party games very often, you still have floods of excellent indies to choose from via the eShop and the many physical edition games available for the system.

The planet of Proteus offers a slew of resources for you to loot in Subnautica 2, but some of the most difficult ones to find are minerals. Minerals such as Titanium, Copper, and Silver are used in a variety of crafting recipes, and you'll often have to head out on scavenging trips just to get enough of one resource for a single item on your to-do list. However, perhaps the most difficult mineral to find in Subnautica 2 is Gold.

Gold isn't used too frequently in Subnautica 2, but you'll suddenly need it for a crafting recipe and likely have no idea where to look. For a full explanation on how to find Gold, keep reading the guide below.

Unlike many of the other minerals in Subnautica 2, you won't just find a deposit of it in some random location. Instead, you'll have to progress the story of the game before you're able to even access the area of Proteus that has Gold.

For the past few years, major first-party exclusives for both the Xbox and PlayStation consoles have been expected to arrive on PC after a certain period of time--if not same-day. However, with brands now looking to differentiate themselves in the current hardware market, the winds seem to be shifting. Reporting from various sources in the last few months has indicated that Sony intends to step away from bringing some of their high-profile exclusives to PC. This approach has now apparently been confirmed by Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst himself.

According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier--who previously broke some initial reporting about the change in strategy--Hulst revealed in a staff meeting today that "the company's narrative single-player games will now be PlayStation exclusive." This means that the likes of Saros, Ghost of Yotei, and the upcoming Wolverine are unlikely to come to PC in the near future, though multiplayer-centric titles like the megahit Helldivers II and the recent Marathon are still likely to see cross-platform play.

While this is a disappointment to PC gamers, the business logic behind it is sound. With the overall gaming hardware market becoming more cutthroat--and more expensive--it makes sense for Sony to attempt to differentiate themselves from the competition through the tried-and-true method of big-budget, critically acclaimed exclusives. We'll have to wait and see if the strategy pays off in console and game sales.

Are you eager to unlock all Biomods in Subnautica 2? These are character upgrades that you're able to alter periodically. Some are active skills which you need to trigger, while others are passive skills that have a constant effect. Our guide has all the details that you need, so get ready for a deep dive.

• All active and passive skills from Biomods in Subnautica 2
  • Biomods available by default
  All active and passive skills from Biomods in Subnautica 2

  Subnautica 2 Biomods are either active or passive skills. A select few are available fairly early in the game, though the rest have to be unlocked much later as you progress. Here's a quick summary of what you can expect:

  • Check out our mini-walkthrough so you know where to go first. One particular location that you should visit is the Welcome Center, which is a short distance away from your Lifepod. Upon restoring power to the facility, you'll be able to interact with a machine known as a Biolab. It lets you equip active and passive skills that are available by default.
  • Later once you have a base up and running, you can construct your own Biolab, which requires 3x Titanium, 1x Copper Wire, and 1x Mild Acid. This is so you can equip different Biomods without having to return to the Welcome Center periodically.
  • As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of Biomods still need to be unlocked. To do this, you have to scan specific creatures using the Bioscanner. This is an upgraded version of the device, and you can learn more about it in our Bioscanner guide.
  Biomods available by default

  The following Biomods in Subnautica 2 are available by default:

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Tom Kane, a staple in various children's animated shows and numerous video game franchises, has died at the age of 64. Representatives for Kane confirmed the news of his passing to TMZ, citing complications from a stroke the voice actor suffered in 2020.

Kane lent his voice to the universes of Marvel, Star Wars, Powerpuff Girls, and Call of Duty. His most prolific role was the voice of Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and various Star Wars shows and games, most recently Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. He also voiced established characters like C-3PO, Boba Fett, and Admiral Ackbar in other Star Wars media.

In the wider realm of video games, Kane was the original voice of Call of Duty Zombies mainstay Takeo Masaki, performing as the character from World at War to Black Ops 4. His game credits are almost innumerable, with highlights including voicing both Jim Gordon and Quincy Sharp in Batman: Arkham Asylum, Lok in Fortnite: Save the World, and Magneto in several Marvel games, including Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3.

PlayStation Plus prices will increase for new subscribers starting May 20, but depending on your subscription status, it might not be time to panic--yet. According to Sony, only "select" regions will be affected for now, and it blames "ongoing market conditions" for the increases.

So far, only monthly and three-month subscriptions are being affected, with new US subscribers facing an increase of $1 for a one-month PS Plus Essential subscription and a $3 increase for the three-month version of that subscription tier. For now, the annual subscription price to PS Plus remains unchanged.

Current subscribers will not pay extra--unless they reside in Turkey or India--but letting your subscription lapse and then rejoining PS Plus at a later date will result in you paying the higher rate. Overall, the new prices look like this:

Hey GameSpot community,

We’ve got some big news to share: GameSpot is migrating to a new platform. After 13 years on this platform – a custom built CMS that served us well across different owners and different eras of web publishing – we’re moving to WordPress VIP, a best-in-class solution that will allow us to shift our energy from maintaining a website to innovating on one.

Your GameSpot account will move over to the new site, same email, same password. There’s no re-registration, no password reset emails, it just works. What isn’t coming yet are the old site’s user-generated components. We took a long look at how you all used the site over the years and, due to lack of attention and increased competition, it’s clear that these tools didn’t meet your needs anymore. To be clear, we think there’s even more room for innovation here, and this migration is intended to help us capture it, and that starts with deciding where we can and can’t win.

Imagine a Lego set that represents Batman 89, the Tim Burton classic that helped create the modern superhero blockbuster. Then imagine other sets that represent Batman Returns, Batman Begins, The Batman, and so on. You start breaking pieces apart from each set and piecing them back together. At first you can identify a chunk from one movie and distinguish it from another, but the more you mix, the more unrecognizable they become. Before long it's difficult to tell exactly where one begins and another ends. That's what it feels like to play Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, a game that litters its influences so liberally that the pastiche becomes its own reality. In the process, it recaptures the glory days of licensed Lego games by feeling, for the first time in a long time, fresh.

The freshness is what I kept coming back to throughout my time with Legacy of the Dark Knight. Like lots of people, I played Lego Star Wars: The Video Game, the 2005 Traveller's Tales game that established a house style for Lego games and began a flurry of licensed tie-ins. I loved it, and I spent countless hours plumbing its depths and unlocking every character. It was a simple game bursting with secrets to find as well as a playful take on a mythology that mattered to me.

Since then, though, the franchisification of licensed Lego became supercharged, to its detriment. At the height of its power there would be three or even four licensed Lego games released in a single year, and the series burned itself out. You can only find hidden doodads so many times. In recent years, Lego has seemed more cautious, producing more artsy takes like Lego Builder's Journey or Lego Voyagers, with far fewer licensed games. Against that backdrop, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight feels like a statement of intent. With additional care and time, this is what a Lego game can be.

It's no secret that having and raising a child is more challenging than ever before, but Subnautica 2 and PUBG publisher Krafton may have found the solution to improving population numbers: cold, hard cash. The South Korean-based company recently offered cash-based support for its employees--up to 100 Million Won or around $67,000--per child for childbirth, and the initiative saw double the number of babies born to its employees.

Krafton says that 46 babies were born in the first year of the program, roughly double compared to the same time periods in 2024 and 2025. Krafton's support includes an initial 60 million Won ($40,100) lump sum for employees who had a child born on or after January 1, 2025, and they could continue to receive a payment of 5 million Won ($3,344) each year over the next eight years of employment at the company.

Additionally, the company has extended parental leave up to two years and introduced other measures as part of its joint research with Seoul National University's Population Policy Research Center.

From time to time, Call of Duty's anti-cheat likes to troll unsavory players who aren't playing by the rules. A recent stream of Black Ops 7 revealed a cheater lost their weapons mid-match after being detected by Ricochet, as seen in the clip below.

Activision has struggled to keep hackers completely out of Black Ops 7 and Warzone, but Ricochet anti-cheat is still working to ban them mid-match. Former pro player and Call of Duty personality, Christopher "Parasite" Duarte, recently livestreamed a playback of a match in Black Ops 7's theater mode, showing the moment a cheater's guns disappeared in multiplayer.

Ricochet took my opponents guns away mid game yesterday. Dudes have been cheating all season and swear up and down they don’t but there it is 😂 pic.twitter.com/78MA6XTmzg

— Chris (@Parasite) May 14, 2026

"His gun's gone," Duarte says, laughing during the clip. "Why did that happen? Take a guess."

Hopes that preorders for Grand Theft Auto 6 would start on Monday seem to have reached a dead end.

Some content creators in Best Buy's affiliate program claimed to receive emails indicating that GTA 6 preorders begin on May 18, and optimistic fans speculated that a third trailer for Rockstar's next blockbuster would drop at the same time. But such heresay seems to be a pipe dream, with an administrator in the (unofficial) GTA Forums claiming that a source in a European distribution company "confirmed there's no pre-orders," per IGN.

As of Monday morning, GTA 6 has yet to emerge on any major online retailer. Assuming that holds for the rest of the day, it'll end another chapter in the long wait for GTA 6, defined by the GTA fan base's restlessness and eagerness to grasp at straws. The latest rumors of GTA 6 preorders even boosted stock prices for Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two----leading to a drop Monday morning, which has since been recouped.

HD-2D, the retro-cool art style spearheaded by Square Enix and imitated by many others, was originally built as a way to pay homage to classic Super NES-era role-playing games while also making them look distinctly modern. And to that end, it's been used exclusively for RPGs like the Octopath Traveler series and the Live A Live remake. The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, then, represents the next big evolution of this concept, showing that the art style can just as easily apply to other classic genres--this time, the top-down action-adventure game.

I played about two hours of The Adventures of Elliot in a demo that takes place about 3-4 hours into the game. At this point in the game, the main quest was to seek a magical shield, but I was given freedom to roam almost anywhere in the open world across two distinct time periods. Square Enix noted that this build of the game has incorporated some feedback from the public demo released last July--faster movement speed, a weapon-shortcut menu, and a selection of difficulty levels. The difficulty was set to Easy by default in my demo, but I switched it to Normal and kept it there without too much trouble.

On the topic of menu options, I should mention one more. Your fairy companion, Faie, is very chatty. Her voice is cloying, and she talks frequently, with an odd babytalk affect. It's a lot. Players of the 2025 demo must have given feedback on this too, because the build I played had a menu option devoted to Faie's chattiness. Her default is set to "Chatty" but you can switch her to "Reticent," which tones her down, a little. I played the majority of my demo with the default Chatty option but switched to Reticent to see the difference, and she still chimed in quite a bit. I have a high tolerance for these things but even I found Faie a little offputting, so I imagine some players will have a stronger reaction.

The US Library of Congress has amassed numerous treasures deemed worthy of preservation over the years, and recently, the original Doom soundtrack has made the cut. Now sitting alongside other cultural artifacts that were added this year--like Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and Weezer's debut blue album--Robert Prince's Doom soundtrack is being honored for its part in ID Software's genre-defining first-person shooter.

As part of the selection criteria for the National Recording Registry, sound recordings need to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and can only be added 10 years after it was first created. The program has been running since 2002 following the creation of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, and the first 50 entries were officially announced in 2003.

So what Doom so special? According to the Library of Congress, Doom's soundtrack earned its place by being an "adrenaline-fueled soundtrack" produced during an era when video game composers had to deal with limitations of the time. "Prince composed the perfect riff-shredding accompaniment for the game's demon-slaying journey to hell and back," the Library said in a statement. "Taking advantage of his knowledge of MIDI, Prince even worked to ensure that the sound effects he created could cut through the music by assigning them to different MIDI frequencies."

These are our selections for the very best PC games. Without a generational divide, the PC gaming library just keeps growing, so we focused on the best PC games to play right now. Some of these games, like The Séance of Blake Manor and Hollow Knight: Silksong, are recently released gems. Others are live-service games or multiplayer favorites that have stood the test of time. Our list of the best PC games spans across a wide variety of genres, so at least a few of these games will pique your interest. We regularly reevaluate and update this list to make sure our recommendations are current, and you can find previously removed games--which still come highly recommended--at the bottom of the list.

PC gaming is quite different from consoles, as your mileage with each game on this list will vary based on your rig. That said, many of the games on this list don't require the latest and greatest graphic cards--they merely help these great games look even better. And if you happen to have a Steam Deck, a lot of these games are playable on Valve's impressive handheld PC. We have a separate list of Steam Deck recommendations for games that play great there. We regularly reevaluate and update this list, so you can always use it as a resource to find some fresh recommendations.

We've linked to Steam listings where possible for these games, but it's worth noting that you can often find better deals on storefronts such as Fanatical and GOG. We've included links to those stores, too. Also, some of our picks are available on PC Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription service.

If you're thinking about upgrading your PC or starting a new build to play some of these games at higher settings, make sure to check out our step-by-step guide for building a gaming PC. If you're looking for accessories for your rig, check out our roundups of the best gaming keyboards, gaming mice, and PC gaming headsets.

Alan Wake 2

Another chapter in the mind-bending Remedy universe, Alan Wake 2 picks up right where the cult classic left off more than a decade ago. Alan is trapped in the Dark Place and his only way out is to write his own story. His campaign takes place alongside a concurrent one with FBI agent Saga Anderson, and the two complimentary campaigns can be played together in any order. The lightly spooky elements of the first game turn much darker here, for a horror experience full of unforgettable moments.

Read our Alan Wake 2 review.

Arc Raiders

Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter quite unlike anything you've played before. It relies on player interaction to forge its deepest stories, with decisions on whether to trust or betray other Raiders made by the second. The world as you know it has ended, replaced by AI overlords and a catastrophic climate. Humanity now resides in Speranza, where some citizens choose to become raiders, returning to the dangerous overworld to scavenge for life-saving and life-enhancing resources. From a third-person perspective, you'll suit up with weapons and items of your choice before dropping into a PvPvE landscape to seek out quests, challenges, and then return safely. Or not. Enemy robots attack on sight, and other players can choose hostility. It's up to you whether you help or hinder your fellow raiders.

Read our Arc Raiders review.

Baby Steps

Baby Steps is an infuriating game by design. You'll either love it for delivering moments of genuine triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds, or you'll want to hurl it into the nearest bin after you make a single misstep that erases hours of progress. It's a weird, frustrating, and unforgettable experience--a literal walking simulator where you guide a 35-year-old onesie-wearing manchild to his destiny. Consistently hilarious and heartfelt with its themes, it's the kind of game that revels in causing you grief while also urging you to go outside and touch some IRL grass.

Balatro

A deceptively simple concept with an incredible degree of replay value, Balatro is based around the familiar rules of poker. You'll build a hand of pairs or a flush and then accrue points based on it. But using that simple framework as a jumping pad, the roguelite card game lets you edit the rules of the game on the fly using special Joker cards, Arcane spells, and Planet cards that boost your multipliers. Building out a strategy as you work your way through increasingly difficult "blinds" with higher points requirements is satisfying for how it lets you feel like you're breaking the game in half, only to have the game come back at you that much harder the next time. When that inevitably happens, you need to think on your toes and modify your deck throughout the run to deal with new challenges. Jokers that may have seemed useless before can result in a sudden ah-ha moment of recognition as you take advantage of their unique strategies. And every time you make it to the end--or more likely, fail--it's hard not to start up another hand and do it all again.

Read our Balatro review.

Baldur's Gate 3

The triumphant return of a legacy CRPG series is also one of the best games of 2023. While Baldur's Gate 3 is also available to play on PS5, the PC version is the clear leader thanks to its intuitive keyboard-and-mouse controls--and it's a welcome return to form for longtime Baldur's Gate fans. This fantasy tale is set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, but the most incredible part is how it approximates actually playing a game of D&D, with all the freedom that entails. You can tackle problems and navigate the world with an almost overwhelming amount of choice and agency, making it easy to get lost for hours and then start all over again with a new character.

Read our Baldur's Gate 3 review.

Blue Prince

Blue Prince is one of 2025's most acclaimed games, and for good reason. The roguelike adventure is unlike anything else, presenting a series of interlocking puzzles to solve. It all revolves around exploring a shape-shifting mansion that never carries the same layout twice. Rooms manifest into existence as you explore, and over time you come to learn the patterns of the manor as you unlock its many mysteries. Mount Holly calls.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looks like a million bucks thanks to its lavish design powered by Unreal Engine 5, but at its core, it's a love-letter to JRPGs that aims to keep you engaged at all times. There's still plenty here for fans of old-school turn-based RPGs to sink their teeth into, but the combination of souls-like influences and riveting storytelling will keep your eyes glued to the screen as you experience one of the best games of 2025.

Read our Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 had a divisive launch that by all accounts failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on it. But CD Projekt Red didn't abandon the game, instead issuing a steady stream of updates culminating in September 2023's massive 2.0 update that overhauls many major systems, while also integrating the new Phantom Liberty DLC. The Cyberpunk of today is a sharper, more focused action-RPG with a greater variety of skills that let you navigate Night City your own way. The Phantom Liberty expansion received a 10/10 in our review, adding new systems and a compelling new story featuring Idris Elba. Best of all, it's still a gorgeous showpiece for your PC rig.

Read our Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review.

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

It might be the final PC port from Sony, but Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is ending that initiative with a bang. Gorgeous to look at, fun to play, and incredibly weird when you think about it, Hideo Kojima's tale of a post-apocalyptic deliveryman exploring a ravaged Australia is still one of the more unique experiences out there. Improving on its predecessor with dozens of small and notable enhancements, Death Stranding 2 also tells an intimate tale of fatherhood at the end of the world.

Read our Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred

Every Diablo game has that one expansion that has truly defined it for decades to come, and Lord of Hatred more than delivers a thrilling conclusion to a long-running storyline. Not just a narratively stunning finale to the Age of Hatred saga, Lord of Hatred revolutionizes multiple aspects of Diablo 4, sharpening it and honing the experience to bring out the best of Blizzard's grimdark series.

Read our Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred review.

Disco Elysium

When it comes to writing, Disco Elysium is perhaps unrivaled. Developed and published by ZA/UM in 2019, Disco Elysium places you in the role of a detective suffering from amnesia and a serious bout of alcoholism. His quest to unravel a baffling murder and the details of his life that he's forgotten takes you on an absolutely stunning adventure that thrives on its choice-based gameplay and exquisite dialogue. Disco Elysium balances humor and serious life dilemmas with astounding grace, and the freedom it gives you to shape the narrative and your interactions with its many colorful characters you meet allows you to make this detective story your own. Its gorgeous world is teeming with life, and viewing it from the eyes of a nameless cop with memory issues makes it all the more immersive. It earned a rare 10/10 from GameSpot, and we can safely say there's nothing else exactly like it in modern PC gaming.

See our Disco Elysium review.

Dispatch

One of the big success stories of 2025, Dispatch nailed the idea of fusing a superhero workplace comedy with a Telltale-style adventure game format. In an era of cynical superhero TV series like The Boys and general apathy toward upcoming projects like Avengers: Doomsday, Dispatch is a breath of fresh air in this genre. An original cast of well-rounded do-gooders and supervillains is brought to life with stellar voice acting; the episodic structure keeps the story flowing smoothly; and the actual dispatching of heroes to save the day adds a delightful role-playing element to the experience.

Echo Point Nova

Echo Point Nova is also on our list of best first-person shooters, and with good reason. It's an ultra-satisfying blend of speed and first-person action that will appeal to fans of classic shooters like Tribes. As you explore its many floating islands, you'll accumulate more weapons and abilities, including a number of options for getting around--you can use a grappling hook to pull yourself up and around the environment or send yourself flying through the sky, or leverage your hoverboard to zoom along the ground at high speeds. However you choose to approach a given situation, the movement is the real highlight here, making every moment feel like a thrill.

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Elden Ring was our Game of the Year in 2022, and ever since we've been waiting to explore even more of The Lands Between. From Software delivered with Shadow of the Erdtree, a massive expansion that almost overwhelms with its sheer scope. Elden Ring's lore has been expanded in thoughtful and surprising ways, letting you dive as deep into the story as you care to by exploring a world rife with secrets to uncover. Combat is just as difficult as ever, with an inventive balance system that lets you continue to play with your current character without being immediately overpowered. That lets you experience the thrill of overcoming new obstacles all over again, with a wide array of new weapons to master.

See our Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree review.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

It's true that since its release in 2012, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been ported to just about every platform that can play games, including Amazon Alexa speakers and smart refrigerators. But the king of all Skyrim versions is the one on PC, and it's not even close. That's because the PC version gives you access to years of mods created by the Skyrim community. From adding serious RPG story content to providing ridiculous possibilities like replacing all dragons with Thomas the Tank Engine, the PC version of Skyrim adds nearly endless options to an already expansive, enormous game. You absolutely should play Skyrim on PC if you haven't, and you absolutely should mod it to see how the game has become so much more than it was when it was released. Skyrim is also available with Xbox Game Pass for PC.

See our The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim review.

Final Fantasy 14 Online

The Final Fantasy series is known for having a strong focus on storytelling with colorful characters who get into over-the-top battles, and the MMO Final Fantasy XIV manages to stay true to what the series is all about. Though you might assume the familiar Final Fantasy tenets of storytelling and strong character moments would be absent in an online game, FFXIV is one of the more story-driven MMOs out today. Final Fantasy XIV is the franchise's second crack at an MMO, and it features a sprawling story about rebellion, equality, and friendship that manages to hit the same highs of the franchise's best single-player games. Though MMOs have a reputation for being inaccessible and time-consuming, Final Fantasy XIV offers an excellent gateway for lapsed and new MMO players to jump into--and it's also a fantastic Final Fantasy game in its own right.

See our Final Fantasy 14 reviews for A Realm Reborn and its expansions.

Forza Horizon 6

Over the years, the Forza Horizon series has excelled at being a sandbox of fun for you to race absurdly expensive cars in. Forza Horizon 6 doesn't stray from that formula of open-world racing and collecting a garage full of hotrods, but what it adds to that experience is what makes it feel so special. Shifting the action to Japan and embracing car culture with online meet-ups makes for a magical time, while the core driving feels better than ever in this celebration of V8 engines and unrestrained speed.

Read our Forza Horizon 6 review.

Fumes

Car-combat games are not nearly as prominent as they once were, but Fumes does the classics proud. Despite being in early access, it's already a satisfying experience, letting you accumulate parts and customize your vehicle as you navigate a Mad Max-ish desert full of hostile vehicles and other tasks to deal with. There are extensive early-access plans to add more to do, melee combat, and other features that sound exciting, but what's already in place is already unlike anything out there. If there's a Twisted Metal or Vigilante 8 fan in you, or you're just someone who wants to customize a car full of weapons, Fumes is well worth a look.

Hades 2

Hades 2 builds on everything that Supergiant established in the first game, offering an experience that is both familiar and new at once. You play as Melinoe, sister of former protagonist Zagreus, as you attempt to destroy Chronos, the Titan of time. New weapons and abilities, combined with a new resource management system, make it a joy to experiment with new combinations as you attempt your runs over and over.

See our Hades 2 review.

Hell Clock

Many games offer their own spin on roguelikes and Diablo-style ARPGs, but Hell Clock does both of those in one go. It's an isometric ARPG in the mold of Diablo, but one that takes place within the context of a roguelike where you have a ticking clock for each run. That provides a decidedly different feel to it from the average ARPG; you'll still gather new loot and become more powerful, but items are automatically equipped (with time pausing occasionally to let you pick from several potential upgrades that can meaningfully impact your play style). Every decision to fight enemies or wander down a corridor thus takes on new weight, as you try to rapidly evaluate whether it's worth it to take a risk that might further power you up but reduce how much time you have to deal with the next boss.

Helldivers 2

This follow-up from Arrowhead Game Studios was a surprising success, not least because it was so different from the original game that inspired it. Helldivers 2 takes the hordes of enemies from the top-down first game and makes it a third-person shooter, and the new perspective works beautifully. Squadding up with your friends leads to tense survival moments and hilarious mishaps in equal measure as you fulfill objectives and call down Stratagems on your foes. And like the first game, there's a galaxy-sprawling meta-game at play, as you and every other Helldiver fights to free territory controlled by vicious bugs and robots. This was also a rare Sony Interactive game published simultaneously on PC alongside its PS5 release, with optional cross-play, which likely helped it find and sustain an active player base.

Read our Helldivers 2 review.

Hitman: World of Assassination

IO Interactive's grand World of Assassination trilogy reached its final chapter in 2021, as Hitman 3 built on the efforts made by its predecessors to create a perfectly executed experience. Bigger, bolder, and more cunning than ever, Agent 47's journey around the world saw him explore an opulent Dubai skyscraper, solve a murder mystery in an ancient British mansion, and turn a train into a slaughterhouse as he worked his way through each cabin. Each destination offers not only some devilishly delicious ways to eliminate targets, but also plenty of room for experimentation that leads to hilarious and grim demises for anyone who gets in your way.

See our Hitman 3 review.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

The long-awaited sequel to Hollow Knight has finally arrived and as expected, it's a fast-paced, tough-as-nails and impeccably polished metroidvania. The long wait for the sequel caused some consternation among fans, but Team Cherry has delivered, as Hornet's adventure feels like a worthy successor to the original and highly-regarded Hollow Knight. After eight long years, it's safe to say that Silksong was worth the wait.

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

The team behind Danganronpa and Zero Escape are incredibly skilled at subverting expectations, and in The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, this talented crew fuses ideas from those franchises to create a story-rich experience full of strategy, style, and dozens of paths to explore.

Inscryption

At first glance, Inscryption looks like a mixture of tabletop card games with a healthy dose of deckbuilding thrown in for good measure as you risk your very life in a high-stakes game of survival. Throw in some roguelite progression, mystery, and a creepy art direction, and you've got the perfect mix for a game that hides more mesmerizing content beneath its surface. Absolutely strange while it deals out its ideas, that weirdness makes Inscryption the type of game that'll stay in your head long after you've played your last card.

Read our Inscryption review.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Kingdom Come: Deliverance was a surprise hit in 2018, and its direct sequel now expands upon the world in significant ways. Like the original, KCD2 carries an acute emphasis on actually playing a role, thanks to a great deal of flexibility and choice in both the combat and conversation systems. Combat in particular has been streamlined to feel more fluid, without sacrificing what made the original feel so special to fans.

Read our Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 review.

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes defies easy categorization. While it is clearly a puzzle game, it frequently twists the medium on its head. It encourages you to use a notebook in real life to help track its many secrets and interlocking pieces, which all unfold into a marriage of design and narrative that need to be seen firsthand. The puzzles can be challenging, but they're consistently satisfying and help drive you forward to the next one. This is a can't miss.

Read our Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review.

Luto

Hideo Kojima's Silent Hill project PT never got a full release, but several games like PT have picked up that spiritual baton since then. To its credit, Luto doesn't just invoke a feeling of dread like PT did in its short demo, because it uses that inspiration as a springboard to reach spookier heights. The debut title from developer Broken Bird Games is a spine-tingling delight with its atmospheric design and challenging puzzles.

Read our Luto review.

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Persona series director Katsura Hashino has returned with his first new game since 2016, and it's a fantastic one. Metaphor: ReFantazio features a new original storyline set in a fantasy world, and a wide array of characters to find and classes to unlock. The turn-based RPG combat unfolds beautifully into deep layers of strategy, and the story is an affecting meditation on the power of storytelling. It will seem familiar to fans of the Persona series, but the new setting and mechanical wrinkles make it feel very new as well. Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the few games in our history to earn a 10/10 review.

Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio review.

Mewgenics

Cats are great, but an army of them that have been genetically modified to survive the harshest environments and set loose inside of a tactical roguelite game? Now those are some good kitties. Mewgenics is an ambitious blend of cat breeding and strategy, all wrapped up in an experience with more layers than a Hulk-sized onion. It makes for an endlessly replayable game, full of dark humor, ridiculous enemies, and cathartic chaos.

Read our Mewgenics review.

Mixtape

A short and sweet look at youthful rebellion, Mixtape is the equivalent of a defining coming-of-age movie from your childhood. Featuring an imaginative art direction and a soundtrack that will make you blast a hole in your floor with its foot-tapping needle drops, Mixtape leaves a lasting impression as it encourages you to make the most of life.

Read our Mixtape review.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds is the new hotness in the Monster Hunter space, streamlining various aspects and placing more of the focus on both narrative and combat. Tracking monsters is simpler than in the past, letting you get into fights more quickly, while a new wound system allows you to more easily have miniature goals during the extended battles and better track your progress at taking down the wonderful array of monsters you'll go up against.

It's a terrific action-RPG experience that's worth playing on any platform, although a disclaimer is warranted: The PC performance can be a struggle, particularly without high-end hardware to brute-force a decent frame rate and great visuals. Monster Hunter has never been known for cutting-edge visuals or stellar frame rates, so this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, depending on your exact hardware (Steam's refund policy can come in handy here). It's disappointing to see the poor performance, but if you can tolerate it, you shouldn't pass up what is otherwise a terrific game.

Nioh 3

Team Ninja has established itself as one of the best studios in the souls-like genre, and Nioh 3 shows just how good the developer has gotten at cracking out these games. Nioh 3 builds on an already successful foundation of fast-paced combat and challenging enemies, refining it into a brutal power fantasy that's surprisingly approachable for newcomers to the series.

Read our Nioh 3 review.

Nioh 3 Steelbook Launch Edition

$70 | Releases February 6, 2026

Nioh 3 standard edition

$70 | Releases February 6, 2026

Ooo

Ooo is a retro-style Metroidvania where you'll control an adorable little caterpillar with a penchant for explosives. He's been swallowed by a bird and is frantically trying to use bombs to escape his newfound containment. Starting with just one bomb, you'll soon be granted more, and the puzzles will grow increasingly complex. Some of the solutions won't be obvious, and some will be downright ludicrous, but it's this thinking outside of the box mentality that grasps you as you play. You can complete Ooo in a single sitting too, so it's perfect for a cozy afternoon gaming session.

Pacific Drive

On the list of great PC games, Pacific Drive is both fairly new and quite weird, which is funny since it's also firmly planted in the New Weird genre alongside stuff like Welcome To Night Vale, The SCP Foundation, and Remedy's Control. Built as a rougelite at heart, Pacific Drive has you going on numerous runs through the Olympic Exclusion Zone, a sectioned-off mass of forest roads in the Pacific Northwest, all while you dodge head-scratching (and often spooky) supernatural elements like crash test dummies that move when you aren't looking at them and buzzsaws that skim the roads like the shark skims the waters in Jaws. Its super-deep systems, intoxicating atmosphere, and incredible audio design combine to create a one-of-a-kind survival game.

Read our Pacific Drive review.

Promise Mascot Agency

There's a good chance that you've never played a video game with a similar premise to Promise Mascot Agency. We're pretty confident that the tale of a disgraced yakuza being sent to a backwater town to manage the careers of creatures that resemble cutesy mascots is pretty unique. Beneath that intriguing setup is a compact open-world game full of interesting tales, lovable characters, and lots of things to collect.

Resident Evil 4

Capcom's venerable Resident Evil series has been progressively producing remakes of its classic library, but none of them held the expectations and weight of Resident Evil 4. It's long been regarded as one of the best survival-horror games of all time, and a trendsetter for the action-focused style of the genre. Capcom approached this remake especially cautiously, giving it a light touch of upgrades that make the whole experience feel modern without losing its soul. It's also never looked more beautiful, so you can see the horrific monstrosities of Las Plagas with newfound fidelity.

Read our Resident Evil 4 review.

Resident Evil Requiem

Survival-horror? Check. Survival-action? Double-check! Bringing together the best that Resident Evil has to offer, Capcom's new entry in the gruesome franchise keeps you scared and excited at all times. An engrossing chimera of thrills and suspense, Resident Evil Requiem is a love letter to the horror franchise, a masterclass in dread and tension that's hard to beat.

Read our Resident Evil Requiem review.

Resident Evil Requiem

$70

Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Steelbook Edition

$90

Amazon-Exclusive Switch 2 Edition (Game Key-Card)

$70

Resident Evil Generation Pack for Switch 2

$90

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller - Resident Evil Requiem

$100

The Rise of the Golden Idol

The Case of the Golden Idol was an ingenious deductive puzzler that challenged players to carefully examine scenes of grisly incidents and piece together the details of what occurred. It was a meticulous series of visual riddles, which led to a series of Golden Idol Mysteries as DLC spin-offs. Rise of the Golden Idol brings another array of brain-boggling mysteries to uncover, this time set against the backdrop of the 1970s. The setting is semi-modernized compared to the antiquity of the first game, but nothing has been lost in the translation. The mysteries are just as tricky as ever, letting you pore over the evidence until the answer suddenly clicks.

Read our Rise of the Golden Idol review.

The Roottrees Are Dead

A PC-only investigation game, The Roottrees Are Dead has you combing through a browser-like interface as you investigate a mysterious family tree. The interface will feel familiar to anyone who's accustomed to browsing the Internet--aka literally everyone--and it uses that premise to delve deep into an intriguing puzzle and uncover the family's secrets.

The Séance of Blake Manor

The Séance of Blake Manor sees you, a supernatural detective, head to rural Ireland to solve a mystery taking place at the haunted Blake Manor. Here, a gathering of fanatics claiming to possess magical powers have gathered for a high-profile séance in 1897. Investigate the disappearance of Evelyn Deane by exploring the remote hotel, talking to the guests, and finding out secrets. You'll feel supremely clever as you inch towards solving the mystery, and you'll even learn a lot about Irish history along the way.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Sega's revival of Shinobi from Streets of Rage 4 developer Lizardcube is a visual stunner, but it's also much more than just a pretty face. This is a stellar action platformer that will have you feeling like a real ninja yourself. The stages blend quick, kinetic platforming with rich combat that feels immensely satisfying as you chain one deadly move into the next. And while stages are mostly traditional and linear in structure, they also reward exploration, as the new abilities and moves you find in later stages will let you reach new areas in the ones you've already conquered.

Shotgun Cop Man

Any game that starts with Satan flipping you off is worth paying attention to, and Shotgun Cop Man maintains that momentum as you blast your way through hell. An action-packed platformer where you're required to master high-level precision gunplay to propel yourself through the air, Shotgun Cop Man keeps you engaged with every pull of the trigger.

Silent Hill F

Not just one of the best survival horror games of the year, Silent Hill F is a turning point for Konami's long-running franchise. Dethroning Silent Hill 2--and its brilliant remake--as the gold standard for the franchise, Silent Hill F isn't bound by the lore or settings of the wider franchise. Instead, it's a deep and grisly dive into new territory, exploring heavy themes like generational trauma. Throw in grotesque horror, an atmospheric recreation of 1960s Japan, and gut-wrenching performances from the cast, and you've got a bold entry in the series that doesn't pull any punches with its subject matter.

Skate Story

Arriving right at the end of 2025, Skate Story might have kickflipped its way under your radar as the year began to wrap up. A game about a tormented demon aiming to eat the moon so that it can get some much-needed sleep, Skate Story is an absurd and visually striking leap into skateboarding. More importantly, it's a game that wants you to feel something as you use your arsenal of ollies and pop-shove-its to move the granite hearts of stoic--and disembodied--philosophers. With deliciously tactile gameplay and an aesthetic that looks like a highlight reel of early 2000s heavy metal album covers, Skate Story shoots for the moon and gobbles it up with style.

Skin Deep

Space, the final frontier…for high-stakes action where you play as an insurance agent tasked with keeping a spaceship full of cats safe from pirates, that is. While the premise sounds silly, Skin Deep does a fine job combining its absurdity with levels where--in the fashion of a quality immersive sim--you're encouraged to think outside of the space-box and rid your starship of its criminal infestation using delightfully creative methods.

Read our Skin Deep review.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe

Only The Stanley Parable, a nearly unexplainable game where things get regularly weird and meta, could get away with hiding what amounts to a sequel within the frame of an expanded re-release of the original game. Like the original title, the strange and hilariously distracted nature of The Stanley Parable is something that you have to experience for yourself, as words simply do not do it justice. With the Ultra Deluxe edition, you're getting an experience that feels like a game within a game, adding the illusion of freedom and other surprises along the way. It's nothing short of a clever and thought-provoking examination of video games and the relationship that we have with them.

See our The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe review.

Stardew Valley

It starts with an old broken-down farm and a handful of seeds. You clear out the weeds and rocks until you get tired, and then you do it again. You get into the rhythm of daily life--visiting friends, watering crops, occasional light spelunking. Before you know it, it's been 75 hours and you're mostly managing your complex irrigation system and planning for next season's harvest. Stardew Valley is a friendly, relaxing experience that also somehow manages to be endlessly addicting. Fans know the feeling of assuring themselves they'll play just one more day before bed. And while it's appeared on just about every platform, PC often gets the first chance to test all of the little quality-of-life tweaks and new features that come with patches. Most recently, the massive Stardew Valley 1.6 update put a nice bookend on the game while developer ConcernedApe prepares for the next project, The Haunted Chocolatier.

See our Stardew Valley review.

Starless Abyss

Starless Abyss is a tactical space strategy game melded with a deckbuilder, as if someone mashed up FTL, Slay the Spire, and Into the Breach. If you're a fan of those games, that's probably enough to sell you on it. You're presented with a hex-based grid and equipped with a few ships, and your deck of cards dictate the abilities you can use to defend yourself and fight off hideous, Lovecraftian horrors. As a roguelike, repeated failure is all but assured, but along the way, upgrading your ships, finding fun combinations of cards, and pulling out victory by the skin of your teeth make for a fun ride.

Sylvio: Black Waters

The third in a series of underappreciated horror game gems is another haunting entry perfect for fans of the genre. As the ghost hunter Juliette, you explore a surreal and shifting alien-like landscape that adds an otherworldly spookiness to the prior two games' more grounded horror. It largely retains and refines the mechanics of those earlier games, while also including their panache for incredible sound design that enhances the frights. Be sure to play with your headphones on, and the lights off. And if you need even more horror recommendations, especially for spooky season, check out our favorite horror games.

Read our Sylvio: Black Waters review.

The Talos Principle 2

The follow-up to the philosophical first-person puzzle game is once again a contemplative experience that raises big questions even as you stay occupied with a series of clever puzzles. The philosophical underpinnings create a sense of expansive mystery as you explore deep existential questions and unravel the nature of the world. The first game was an unexpected treat but The Talos Principle 2 shows that developer Croteam can still create a delightful puzzle box even when we think we know what to expect.

Read our Talos Principle 2 review.

Tactical Breach Wizards

Despite the name, Tactical Breach Wizards doesn't play very much like a tactical game like XCOM. Instead, this brain-tickling strategy game has distinct puzzle-like qualities, letting you glimpse ahead at possible outcomes and plan your perfect turn. The result is something along the lines of Into the Breach, albeit with a much funnier premise: You're a team of Operator-like wizards, each imbued with special powers. Those powers manifest both in the tactical gameplay and in a wide array of impactful upgrades, and the fantastical premise makes for some genuinely hilarious story moments.

Read our Tactical Breach Wizards review.

Tempest Rising

We don't know if Command and Conquer will ever be revived--at least, as a non-mobile game--but Tempest Rising is more than capable of stepping into the real-time-strategy shoes of that beloved franchise. A spiritual successor to Westwood's classic strategy games, Tempest Rising is a good-looking slice of cerebral action for starving C&C players in 2025.

Thank Goodness You're Here

A rare comedy game that's actually funny, Thank Goodness You're Here takes the absurdism of good comedy improv and merges it with the interactivity of an adventure game. The animated adventure is on the short side--just around two hours by some estimates--but it uses that time to the fullest with surreal humor and an animated style that recalls great British comics like The Beano. Its sense of humor won't be for everyone, but it's a game that does what so few manage, even when they're trying their best: making us laugh.

Read our Thank Goodness You're Here review.

Titanium Court

Nothing beats a little absurdity in your life, and Titanium Court offers plenty of that along with a surprising mesh of gameplay systems. A mix of roguelike runs with strategic planning and match-three "just one more turn" energy, Titanium Court wraps all of that up with a delightfully nonsensical narrative. Imaginative and well-written, it's easily one of the cleverest games of 2026.

Valorant

The initial response to Valorant was that it's basically a mashup where Overwatch meets Counter-Strike--and yeah, that's pretty accurate. That's also a good thing, because Valorant draws on many of the strengths of those games to make something unique. It focuses on the round-based demolition-style game mode with two teams of five (attackers and defenders) on balanced maps with specific lanes and sightlines and an extremely fast time-to-kill. However, each agent (or character) has their own unique abilities that add another strategic layer to combat. Team composition plays a major role, and each agent affects what the team is capable of in each high-stakes situation. It's intense and demanding, but so rewarding.

Valorant is still early in its lifespan. But we've seen content updates and changes in its first year and it's been quite successful, so you can expect the game to get more support moving forward. If a competitive FPS with layered tactics, precise gunplay, and intense moments is your thing, Valorant is worth a try.

See our Valorant review.

Wanderstop

Everyone needs a break sometimes, even badass heroes. That's the idea behind Wanderstop, a relaxing narrative game that deals with mental health and burnout. As a sword-wielding hero, you find yourself unable to go on or even lift your sword, when you encounter a zen tea master who teaches you how to slow down. It's a smart look at a modern issue through the lens of video game heroism, and may just teach you a thing or two about slowing down yourself.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was a cult classic when it released more than a decade ago, and at long last, its sequel has delivered just what fans of the bone-crunching action series have been waiting for. That means a return to the bloody, brutal combat from the first game, but with refinements that make it feel more fluid than ever. And as fans can attest, it uses the Warhammer tabletop license to great effect for world-building and a massive sense of scale, which goes nicely hand-in-glove with the crunchy combat that should appeal to fans and newcomers alike.

Read our Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

One of the best RPGs of all time, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt brings the incredible story of Geralt of Rivia to a close. The Witcher 3 puts Geralt on a quest to find Ciri, a witcher in training who's like a daughter to him. He reconnects with old flames, friends, and adversaries as he searches far and wide for her. Of course, there's an abundance of side quests and characters to meet along the way, which will undoubtedly keep you busy for hours. Many of these quests require you to slay monsters, a witcher's main trade, and you'll have to prepare accordingly to defeat them by sword, witcher magic, and potions. All this--and we didn't even get into the two excellent expansions--makes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt an essential PC game.

See our The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt review.

World of Warcraft: The War Within

The start of a new story arc is often the most exciting time for World of Warcraft, and the new War Within expansion is no exception. As the start of the Worldsoul Saga, War Within feels like a fresh start in many ways for the extremely long-running game. It's more approachable than ever, letting players engage as much or as little as they want to while still having an enjoyable experience. At the same time, WoW veterans will find all of the staples like Mythic dungeons and world quests intact, along with game-changing new features like Warbands and Delves.

Read our World of Warcraft: The War Within review.

Removed Games

In our effort to curate the very best in PC games, sometimes we trim older games to make room for our latest recommendations. We don't want to forget those entirely, so this is where you'll find all of our previously removed games. All of these come highly recommended as well.

9/8/2025: Assassin's Creed Shadows, Before Your Eyes, Dune Awakening, Destiny 2, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

5/7/2024: Cocoon, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Loop Hero, Pizza Tower, Project Zomboid, Viewfinder

7/1/2024: Apex Legends, Civilization 6, Control, Counter-Strike: GO, Deathloop, Dota 2, League of Legends, Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Grand Theft Auto 5, Halo Infinite, Minecraft, Portal 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Red Dead Redemption 2, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew, Starfield, Tunic, XCOM 2

9/9/2024: Forza Horizon 5, God of War, Return of the Obra Dinn

5/15/2025: Children of the Sun, Monster Hunter Rise

1/7/2026: The Rogue Prince of Persia, Silent Hill 2, and Echo Point Nova

3/2/2026: Wuchang: Fallen Feathers and Killing Floor 3

18/5/2026: Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred, Level Devil, The Case of the Golden Idol, Sunderfolk, Stellar Blade

Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.

Following up a game as lauded as Disco Elysium would be an unenviable task for any developer, but especially one as fractured as ZA/UM. With many of the key creative minds behind the detective RPG separated from the studio following an ugly, and very public, legal dispute, it's up to those left behind to pick up the pieces. That's a lot of baggage to carry going into a brand-new, albeit familiar, game, so it's not surprising how ZA/UM has tried to distance itself from too many comparisons with its previous hit.

As a spy thriller, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies largely strikes a different tone than Disco Elysium. Aspects of it are still inescapably familiar, however, and it's this looming shadow--and sense of imitation--that prevents it from matching the same highs as its spiritual predecessor. Yet there are also enough fresh ideas for it to stand on its own two feet, even if its footing is slightly uneven and less creatively distinct.

Zero Parades' opening does little to quell the comparisons as you wake up on the floor of a small, dirty apartment. Hershel Wilk, codename Cascade, is here on an espionage mission. That's as much as both you and she know. The groggy spy was supposed to get more details from her mission partner, codenamed Pseudopod, but he's permanently indisposed--you find him unresponsive and sitting in a chair in his underwear, overlooking the city of Portofiro through the apartment's grimy first-floor windows. Rummaging through his pockets reveals an invoice for socks and a business card that simply reads, "All you need is a miracle." Figure out the rest on your own, agent.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is celebrating its 15-year anniversary today, May 17, 2026. Below, we examine how its release reflects a particular time in gaming history, making it one-of-a-kind.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings was a standout RPG when it launched fifteen years ago, but it's the kind of game you could never make now.

Each of the three games in the Witcher series marks an important moment for developer CD Projekt Red. The Witcher was the moment the organization went from being a studio that mostly translated games from other territories to being a developer of new games. The Witcher 3 was the moment CD Projekt Red became a household name among gamers, as it set a high-water mark for open-world RPGs that similar games are still compared against.

Mike Mignola is one of the most celebrated modern comic writers and illustrators, best known for creating Dark Horse's iconic demonic paranormal investigator, Hellboy, and the rest of the B.P.R.D. (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) extended universe. His dark and imaginative universe now spans several decades, and knowing where to start can be an intimidating task for newcomers. However, for a limited-time, you can grab over 100 digital edition comics and graphic novels from Mignola's catalog for just $35 or less thanks to Fanatical's limited-time Hellboy: Mike Mignola's Masterpiece Collection. The bundle deal includes Big Red's entire mainline story, as well as plenty of spin-off and supplemental one shots from throughout the B.P.R.D. (Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense) extended universe and beyond.

As with many other of Fanatical's bundles, this impressive Hellboy collection offers variable pricing. The basic bundle includes four digital comics for just $1. You'll get the collected trade paperback edition of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D 1952 and the first issues of Frankenstein: New World, Shadow of the Golden Crane, and The Serpent in the Garden. At just $1, this is great introduction to not only Hellboy as a character, but to Mignola's much larger supernatural world he's created. However, there are three more tiers with even more content if you want to delve even deeper.

The next bundle tier includes 25 comics for $15. You'll get what's included in the $1 bundle, as well as all 10 B.P.R.D. Omniubus Editions, as well as the remaining Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1953-1957 volumes, and the first TPB volumes for Joe Golem, Sir Edward Grey: Witchfinder, and Baltimore.

Earlier this week, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma put the following question to fans on social media: "Xbox" or "XBOX"? Out of the 19,176 votes cast, all caps XBOX was the clear winner with 64.8% of the total. Now, Microsoft has seemingly taken that to heart by rebranding the Xbox account on X with all-caps XBOX.

The Verge was one of the first outlets to notice the change, and it notes that Xbox's Bluesky and Threads accounts have yet to reflect the slight renaming. When reached for comment by The Verge, Microsoft directed readers back to Sharma's poll on X.

When the original Xbox console was released in 2001, its name was in all caps. The subsequent logos for its successors were also in caps, but the brand was spelled normally by Microsoft. Earlier this year, Sharma reverted Microsoft Gaming's name back to Xbox, so it's entirely possible that the XBOX spelling is back as well. This may be an exercise in branding and nostalgia for a time when Xbox was at its peak before the significant declines that the company has recently suffered in hardware and game sales.

Video game adaptations can be a tricky beast. They can either go the prestige route like The Last of Us with its Emmy-nominated television series, or be a dreadful reference marathon such as The Minecraft Movie. While 2021’s Mortal Kombat film had a myriad of issues, such as the lack of the tournament that serves as the game series' centerpiece, and a focus on an original character created for the film rather than one of the franchise's existing cast, it had its heart in the right place by trying to honor the original game series. With the expansion of a sequel, the series had the opportunity to course-correct to deliver not only an engaging film, but also one that fans of the series deserve.

I’m pleased to report that despite some near-fatal flaws in the storytelling department, Mortal Kombat II is mostly a success.

Mortal Kombat II opens with a flashback depicting Outworld ruler Shao Kahn usurping control of the realm of Edenia, and right off the bat, establishes itself as more in tune with the lore of the Mortal Kombat series than the previous movie. The 2021 film struggled in this regard because the film followed Cole Young (Lewis Tan), an original character who served as an audience self-insert. While that route might have worked to bring in audiences who had no prior experience with the games, the decision felt like it went against what Mortal Kombat is: a battle between the six realms for complete control.

Fanatical's May 2026 Bundle Fest is still going strong, and one of the best ones to browse is the Capcom Classic Bundle: GOG Edition. If you're a fan of retro games, this eight-game collection offers some of Capcom's best, covering a few different genres like survival horror, fighting, and RPGs. Like with other build your own bundles through fanatical, you can start with choosing any three games for $8, or $3 each. Then if you get five or more games, they're down to $2.80. If you want all eight titles, they're each $2.75. That's eight games for just $22 compared to the $96 full-price value.

One of the biggest draws here is the first three original Resident Evil games. These may have no aged the most gracefully, but it's hard to deny the charms of the cheesy voice acting and the tense fixed camera angles. I know we all remember the first time the zombie dog crashed through the window in the Spencer mansion in the opening moments of Resident Evil, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis' Clocktower section is an iconic location that sadly wasn't included in the 2020 remake. You can also pick up Dino Crisis and its sequel, which take the fixed camera, tank-controls, and other design sensibilities from Resident Evil and pits against new prehistoric threats.

Crunchyroll Ani-May Discounted Memberships

$2-$3 monthly | Available until May 22

Keeping up with an endless pile of streaming subscriptions can feel almost like a second job--not to mention how expensive it gets to pay for them all. That's why Crunchyroll's limited-time subscription deal during its annual Ani-May event is such a steal. You can snag three months of ad-free access for less than $10 in total to access popular shows like Dr. Stone, Solo Leveling, Witch Hat Atelier, Jujutsu Kaisen, and more.

Crunchyroll's deals include two of its tiers: Fan and Mega Fan. Fan, which normally costs $10 a month, is $1.99 for the first three months when you sign up before May 26. This tier includes no ads, streaming to one device, offline viewing, 5% off select items in the Crunchyroll store, and access to new episodes shortly after they air in Japan.

The Mega Fan tier is normally $14 a month, but you get this one for $3 per month for three months when you sign up during May. This tier gets you everything from the Fan tier and adds the ability to stream to three additional devices. It also bumps the discount at the Crunchyroll store up from 5% to 10%. But maybe most impressive of all, it grants access to Crunchyroll's Game Vault, which features everything from shooters to visual novels, all playable on mobile devices.

Fanatical and Humble Bundle are easily the most popular bundle sites online, offering countless games, books, software, and more over the years at great discounts and benefitting good causes. This month, it both sites have a vast and eclectic of indie showcase bundles available for you to peruse. The Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase bundle gets you 8 games for just $10, with titles like Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Citizen Sleeper as part of its catalogue. Fanatical, on the other hand, has the Build Your Own Indie Showcase Bundle, which has a variable pricing model where you can buy as many of the 20 listed games as you want. The more games you add, the more you'll save in the long run. Regardless of which bundle you pick, every game included is given as a digital Steam key. These can expire, so be sure to redeem them before it's too late. Check out the full lists below.

While this indie showcase bundle doesn't quite have nearly the same quantity of games as the Fanatical version, some of the best indie games in recent years are included. Celeste is a super challenging 2D platformer that will tug hard at your heartstrings, while Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (a personal favorite of mine) is a Castlevania-adjacent adventure developed by small indie studio ArtPlay, which is headed by Castlevania legend Koji "Iga" Igarashi. There's a sequel coming soon, so it may be a good time to jump in now. If you like narrative-centered RPGs, Citizen Sleeper is a gorgeous tabletop-inspired story set in a Cyberpunk world. You can pay as much as you want, but if you want the full 8-game bundle, a minimum of $10 is required. Any extra amount you decide to donate goes directly to the corresponding charity.

The Humble Choice lineup for May 2026 is available now, with offering members eight PC games they can download and keep forever at no additional cost. This month's selection is an eclectic bunch featuring AAA RPGs like Diablo IV and Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, city builders like Mini Settlers, and even the remaster of the 2013 first-person shooter Crysis 3. Check out the full lineup below.

If you're unfamiliar with Humble Choice before, it's a monthly subscription that gives you a curated collection of PC games for just $15 a month. Members also get other exclusive perks, like up to a 20% discount on new releases. Not only are all the Humble Choice monthly games yours to keep forever--even after you cancel your membership--5% of your subscription is sent directly to charity each month. Each game comes as a digital code and they do eventually expire, so make sure to redeem them before too long.

• Crysis 3 Remastered
• Cubic Odyssey
• Diablo IV
• Heroes of Hammerwatch II
• Mini Settlers
• Nordhold
• Rogue Waters
• Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

Diablo IV is easily the biggest draw for this month's collection of great titles. Blizzard's iconic action-RPG just saw the release of its newest expansion Lord of Hatred mere weeks ago, earning a 9 out of 10 from GameSpot's Jessica Cogswell in her review-in-progress. After originally launching in April of 2023, Diablo IV has seen a slew of updates and two massive story and content expansions, and is currently on Season 13, titled the Season of Reckoning. Notably, getting Diablo IV through Humble Choice this month is done so through direct Battle.net redemption in order to play.

Earlier this year, Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan attempted to settle the nearly decade-old legend of Tracer's controversial victory pose by telling players that her butt was never nerfed. But the recently released Overwatch skins in Fortnite appear to tell a different story. As noted by several players online, Tracer's butt is back and seemingly bigger than ever.

Fans responded to Tracer's apparently restored glutes in exactly the mature and measured way you probably predicted.

The world has healed pic.twitter.com/6x2IekOiN8

— WaxedWingedOne (@GoldenIcarus2) May 14, 2026

For anyone who wasn't playing when Overwatch debuted almost a decade ago, a vocal segment of players felt that Tracer's victory stance over-sexualized her. Blizzard subsequently apologized and reworked Tracer's pose. That led to the long-standing myth that her butt was greatly reduced, even though it was only her pose that was changed.

Are you planning to build Hydroelectric Turbines in Subnautica 2? This is a fairly important fixture for your base. That's because it automatically generates power from naturally occurring underwater currents.

• Subnautica 2 base guide - The Hydroelectric Turbine

If you're playing on Creative Mode, the Hydroelectric Turbine blueprint should be available right from the start. In fact, you have unlimited materials, so you can build as many as you want. However, if you want a more traditional experience with Survival Mode, then you need to find and scan at least two fragments.

Are you looking for the Rebreather in Subnautica 2? This particular equipment is quite important, since it decreases your oxygen consumption as you dive down to the depths of the seas. You simply won't be able to fully explore the world of Proteus without it.

• Subnautica gear guide - The Rebreather

The Rebreather blueprint can be yours as soon as you scan at least one fragment. Thankfully, there are several objects scattered around, so feel free to find the one that's least likely to pose a hassle.

In 2002, Final Fantasy XI was one of the pioneering MMORPG titles on consoles, and Square Enix has kept the world of Vana'diel alive for nearly a quarter century. Now, as the game celebrates its 24th anniversary, Square Enix has announced that the free trial for Final Fantasy XI has been greatly expanded.

During a livestream on Square Enix's Japanese YouTube account (via Reddit), the publisher announced that the previous 14-day version of the free trial is being revamped. The new free trial doesn't have a time limit and players are free to explore the game's world as long as they want. Additionally, the level cap on the free trial has been expanded to level 75, but the players will be limited to the base game rather than the expansions. But free-trial players will still be welcome to stick around after they reach level 75.

As part of the anniversary, Square Enix also unveiled an animated short that touches on various aspects from 24 years of Final Fantasy XI.

Forza Horizon 6 has crushed the franchise record on Steam for peak concurrent users, and that's especially noteworthy since the game is only available for a select group of people currently.

Forza Horizon 5 set the franchise record for highest peak concurrent-player count on Steam with 81,096 back on November 13, 2021, which was the first Saturday after the game launched on November 9. Forza Horizon 6, meanwhile, hit a high watermark of 172,093 players today, May 15, meaning Forza Horizon 6 doubled up the franchise high (via GamesRadar).

Forza Horizon 4 came to Steam in March 2021, representing the franchise's debut on Steam, and it peaked at 75,689 concurrent players. The game came to Valve's digital storefront years after its original release in 2018; players reported many issues at launch and it was delisted from Steam in 2024.

Lego The Legend of Zelda: Great Deku Tree 2-in-1 (2,500 Pieces)

$300 | Retiring Soon

If you have Lego's Legend of Zelda: Great Deku Tree set on your wishlist, you may want to pick it up soon as Lego has announced that it's retiring the set later this year--which is surprising, since the Lego Great Deku Tree set only launched at major retailers in January 2025. It's now listed on the Last Chance to Buy page on Lego's online store. Lego doesn't specify exactly when the set will be gone for good, but some Lego fansites are predicting July, giving you a bit of time to scrape up the cash to add it to your collection.

Note that retired sets don't immediately sell out; it just means Lego will no longer be making more after they're retired. In many cases, you'll still be able to find retired sets sold by third-party sellers, though often at markups well above their original MSRP--and considering this Zelda set is already a whopping $300, it's wise to pick it up while it's still available at that price. It's currently available at the Lego Store, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble.

Subnautica 2 is out now in early access, and it's doing great, but if you're playing on the biggest modern console platform out there--PlayStation 5--the game is not available for you. Why is that? And is Subnautica 2 ever going to come to PlayStation 5? Here's what we know.

Some have theorized that Subnautica 2 is not on PlayStation 5 as of yet because the game is in an early-access state and is not available with a 1.0 version. Steam has its own Early Access program, which is very popular, and Xbox has its own version called Game Preview.

Sony does support some early-access games, but not as widely as Steam or Xbox. For example, Palworld is available on PS5 in its current unfinished state, as is Path of Exile 2. It appears Sony accepts unfinished games on a case-by-case basis, but without a dedicated early-access program.

Only three days have passed since Pearl Abyss shared the last update for Crimson Desert, but the publisher has now dropped another patch that makes some notable improvements to the game. It also fixes the issue with Damiane’s Elegant Carmine leather armor that sparked some backlash earlier this month.

According to the patch notes, the "abnormal" appearance of Damiane's new armor wasn't planned. The Elegant Carmine leather armor briefly covered up more of her body than usual, which caused some players to complain, and a few even review-bombed the game on Steam.

The new update also allows players to get rematches with more bosses in the game while adding a very powerful move for the main character, Kliff. With his new unarmed Blinding Flash Finisher, Kliff can finish a combo by going full superhero and unleash a hit that emits a massive shockwave. Damiane and Oongka have also been given their own versions of the Aerial Stab move. For animal lovers, there are new bears and wolves that can be used as mounts.

Are you hoping to unlock Metal Farms in Subnautica 2? Let's face it: Most survival games will have you put in quite a bit of effort just to gather materials. However, with this particular contraption, you can sit back, relax, and come back later when you need to collect resources.

Those who are playing on Creative Mode have almost nothing to worry about. That's because that mode grants unlimited resources, which means you can build whatever you want without bothering to farm materials. On the other side of the coin, there's Survival Mode, where farming isn't just expected... it's mandatory.

The Subnautica 2 Metal Farms sub-zone is a long distance away from the Lifepod. It's approximately 2,100 meters east of the Lifepod, or 850 meters from the Alien Ruins marker (assuming you've progressed a bit further into the sandbox campaign). Before you head over there, though, make sure you've already built a Tadpole vehicle. Not only does it speed up underwater traversal, it also protects you from hostile creatures--i.e. If you're inside a vehicle, it will take damage instead of your character.

If you travel roughly 250 meters away from the starting lifepod in Subnautica 2, you'll encounter a new biome that looks like an underwater desert. While you might be tempted to explore this biome, you'll get a message from your PDA that tells you to stop immediately. This biome has an extremely high temperature, and you'll receive a heat warning as soon as you get too close to it.

Naturally, with map space being so limited in early access of Subnautica 2, you'll want to equip whatever equipment is necessary to explore this new area. We'll show you what you need and how to get it so you won't see another heat warning again.

Normally, the waters around the lifepod in Subnautica 2 are roughly 20 degrees Celsius. However, when you start to approach the hotter biome on the map, you'll see a red half-circle with a temperature above it that reads anywhere from 30 to 80 degrees. By default in Subnautica 2, your character can't withstand temperatures over 80 degrees, but even from 30-70 degrees, you'll start to take damage the longer you stay in these hotter waters.

Subnautica 2 has made a big splash in early access for PC and Xbox Series X|S, and developer Unknown Worlds Entertainment has outlined several planned updates for its underwater survival adventure. The developer says that its first updates will focus on gameplay improvements that address systems and smaller features before it moves on to larger expansions to the game world.

Updates to the game world, biomes, creatures, resources, tools, and vehicles are in the pipeline, as well as the next chapter in the Subnautica 2 story. "The entire dev team has been working hard to put together some great quality-of-life fixes for our first update," the developer explained in a blog post. "This should help adjust and address some areas that need a little tweaking to make your Subnautica 2 experience even better."

Improvements to co-op are also coming in the game's 1.2 Early Access patch, with voice chat, player trading, revives, and more customization options being planned alongside improved HUD signals and base-building tools. Unknown Worlds stressed that the rough dates for each update can change. The studio also wants fan feedback to help shape the development of Subnautica 2, and is urging players to leave suggestions for what can be improved upon in the game through bug fixes, balance tuning, and optimization.

Since their introduction in 2006, I've largely viewed Miis as creepy little things. Sure, some of them are cute--anytime I buy a new Nintendo console, I spend a few minutes attempting to make my Mii a bit less offputting--but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a growing sense of dread in the pit of my stomach the first time I fired up my Wii U and saw them all run toward the screen en masse: a tiny stampede of ever-smiling, soulless bobbleheads. I silently judged fellow Animal Crossing: New Leaf players who chose to import their Mii's face rather than use the game's default settings to create a slightly less-cursed look for their player character. If, a few weeks ago, you'd asked me my opinion on Miis, I'd have probably responded that they occupy the same spot in my heart as those freaky little Bitmoji avatars people plaster all over Snapchat.

But after sinking over 50 hours into Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, my feelings have done a total 180. I'll admit it: I love Miis. Not just because they've gotten cuter (though they have). Not just because there are more Mii customization options available than ever before (though there are). I love them because in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Miis feel alive--far more alive than the characters I create in The Sims 4 ever have.

The customization was what first hooked me. Whereas The Sims 4 only has 24 hair-color options--something I've been baffled by for years--Tomodachi Life has 100 shades to choose from, all of which can be used for Miis' hair, skin, and eyes. Want a four-eyed Hearthian à la Outer Wilds? You got it. Want to create Adventure Time's Princess Bubblegum? Easy-peasy. Players can even choose a secondary hair color for an ombré or highlighted look, and bangs can be styled separately from the rest of a Mii's hair. The game's custom face-paint option allows for infinite possibilities only limited by the player's imagination and artistic skill.

Subnautica 2 brings back many of the same tools and objects from the first two games in the series, but the Dive Elevator is one of the brand new additions. This is among the most intriguing objects you can build in Subnautica 2, as it allows you much quicker access to lower depths in the ocean. However, before you can figure out how to use the Dive Elevator, you'll have to unlock its crafting recipe.

Below, you can see where to find its blueprints, its crafting recipe, and the best way to use the Dive Elevator in Subnautica 2.

To unlock the Dive Elevator, you have to scan two of its blueprints, which are located relatively close to the starting lifepod. You can follow the directions below to scan both of the Dive Elevator blueprints:

Marathon developer Bungie has revealed plans to revitalize the game ahead of its Season 2 launch and beyond. These plans include a massive amount of gameplay tweaks, though Bungie isn't getting too specific just yet. But what we do know--based on a recent blog post announcing the upcoming changes--is that a bigger focus on PvE gameplay is on the way.

"In Season 2, we will be experimenting with two modes, one at the beginning of the season and one towards the middle/latter half of the season," game director Joe Ziegler explained in the post. "The experimental mode at the beginning of the season will focus more on PvE, but with a light touch of PvP. The second experimental mode will be a PvE-only mode that’s focused on crews being tasked with completing objectives together and making some progress across matches."

Ziegler added that Bungie hopes to "evolve Marathon as a whole to be an experience where you can find more novel ways to play when you're stressed out from a nail-biting run and just need to cool off or have fun without the stress."

When you consider jumping into a 23-year-old game like Eve Online, the thought is daunting. Hundreds of thousands of veteran players with thousands of hours of Eve Online gameplay, located across thousands of systems, all with their own individual or faction-led objectives, with the capability to wipe you out in seconds without a second thought? Yeah, that's terrifying.

But there are plenty of reasons to persevere. There's a vast community, and despite the perception that they may be initially hostile, they're actually an incredibly warm bunch of people. There's the 70-year-old Council of Stellar Management elected member, who admits she may have slipped up a few times on her journey to the top. There are countless attendees at Fanfest who are only too eager to give you tips or welcome you into their faction. But how do you break through that initial wall to discover the community, and get involved in its epic battles?

With the Cradle of War expansion, which launches on June 9, new players, known as Capsuleers, will be introduced to a non-PvP starter space called Exordium. This area will hold new players' hands a little tighter, introducing them to the game's core mechanics, gradually increasing in complexity until they feel brave enough to spread their wings and explore the rest of Eve's vast universe.

One of the biggest problems with the Switch 2 isn't availability or a looming price hike, but the platform's online marketplace. What should be a highlight reel of Nintendo exclusives, outstanding third-party titles, and rising indie stars is instead an eShop full of slop drops, and Dead Gears: Space of War is indicative of this problem. Scheduled to launch on May 29, the game's key art combines an on-the-nose use of the Cog symbol from Gears of War with the font of Dead Space, all positioned above what is likely an AI-generated image.

The game's trailer doesn't inspire much confidence either, as what should be a sizzle reel for Dead Gears: Space of War is instead a by-the-numbers gameplay teaser that has nothing in common with the art assets being used to promote this release. Not exactly surprising, given that publisher Consann Real Estate has in the past released numerous "Simulator" games and Fall Buddies--which probably has nothing to do with Fall Guys. Probably!

So what's going on here? Despite its efforts to keep slop to a minimum, the Nintendo eShop is more infested than ever before with games that range from low-effort asset flips to clones attempting to piggyback on the momentum set by popular games and franchises. While the eShop Highlights section is fairly safe to browse, once you scroll down to the other sections of the marketplace, it quickly becomes a slop-free-for-all when you start browsing.

Forza Horizon 6 is out now for people who pay extra ahead of its wider release on May 19, and one thing fans have noticed right off the bat is that they cannot destroy cherry blossom trees. This is notable because almost all other trees in the game can be smashed.

Design director Torben Ellert explained to Japan Times that this was a deliberate decision done to honor cultural traditions in Japan, which is where the game takes place.

"Almost all trees in the game are smashable to ensure that traversing the world map is both fun and rewarding. However, several tree types are not, for example, the cherry blossom trees, because they're an iconic element of Japanese culture," Ellert said.

With video game adaptations being all the rage, it was only a matter of time before Uwe Boll returned to the world of filmmaking. The infamous director behind several video game movies like Postal and Far Cry, Boll has begun production on 23 Years Later: The Castle of the Dead, a spiritual successor to his 2003 adaptation of Sega's House of the Dead. The title for the movie is also suspiciously similar to the two 28 Years Later movies that were recently released.

Despite the crowdfunding push for the movie failing--no funds were collected from the whopping 39 backers who initially pledged $14,000 to the project--filming will kick off on September 5 in Germany. Jonathan Cherry and Ona Grauer, who starred in the original House of the Dead, are back for this project and Boll has teamed up with his longtime producer Michael Roesch to bring it to life.

Plot details are being kept under wraps, but Roesch said to THR that the film will be an upgrade when compared to House of the Dead, which was mostly set inside of a derelict home that was besieged by zombies. "We're upgrading from a house full of zombies to a castle full of zombies," Roesch said.

It's another year, and that means another hilarious NFL release schedule video from the Los Angeles Chargers based on a video game. This time, the football organization utilized Halo Infinite to reveal its 18-week schedule that begins this September and runs through January 2027.

The social media team with the Chargers worked with Xbox to make the video--seen below--in Halo Infinite's Forge mode. In fact, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma responded on X with three lightning bolt emojis to the Chargers post, showcasing her support of the creative reveal. Each weekly matchup is teased on the Mission Select screen to start, with opponents getting fresh maps in Halo. There's a cool custom boat created, for example, to preview the team's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 13.

should we REALLY make our schedule release video in halo?
yes yes yesyes
yesyes yes yes yes
yes yes yes yes yes
yes yesyes yes yes
yes yesye yes yes
yes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/eusK9QmNGd

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 14, 2026

This is the second year in a row that the Chargers have utilized an Xbox property for the schedule unveiling, as the team used Minecraft last year. In 2024, The Sims 2 was the medium, demonstrating that the Chargers have a varied taste in gaming.

It's the end of the road for Lego 2K Drive. Developer Visual Concepts has announced that the game, released in 2023 to good reviews, will be delisted on May 19 with its multiplayer servers going offline on May 31.

After that, "All game functions requiring online servers will no longer function," the developer said. The game's store pages across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox disclosed the forthcoming changes, but the eShop page doesn't mention anything about delisting and server shutdown.

Lego 2K Drive was released on May 19, 2023, so the delisting date is exactly three years later. 2K has not disclosed why Lego 2K Drive is being delisted and losing multiplayer support, but some suspect it has to do with licenses and small player populations.

Are you wondering how to get the Scanner upgrade in Subnautica 2? This device, known as the Bioscanner, doesn't just give you info about man-made objects and basic lifeforms. It actually lets you learn more about the enigmatic alien beings known as the Axum.

• Subnautica 2 gear guide - Bioscanner upgrade
  • Cicada Wreck location
  Subnautica 2 gear guide - Bioscanner upgrade

  The Subnautica 2 Bioscanner upgrade can be yours a bit later in your run. That's because you have to venture far to the east of the Lifepod. If you're following our mini-walkthrough, then you need to check out the Alien Ruins well past the Tadpole Pens.

  Cicada Wreck location

  Once you reach the Alien Ruins, tackle a few objectives from the NOA Terminal until you learn about the Iso blackbox signal. It's actually east-northeast of the region, fairly close to the large alien turbine. If you look at the top of a plateau, you'll see the Cicada Wreck (EVA Prep). Inside, you'll find the Iso blackbox, Bioscanner, and other goodies.

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Do you want to obtain the Sonic Resonator and Feedback Resonator in Subnautica 2? This device and its upgrade will surely be of vital use throughout the campaign. With it, you should be able to farm a lot of minerals and, much later in the game, unlock an integral ability.

By default, your character can only gather materials by hand. Shortly thereafter, you should have the Survival Multitool, which lets you smack around smaller mineral deposits. But what about larger nodes? How do you actually destroy them? Well, that's where the Sonic Resonator comes into play.

The Subnautica 2 Sonic Resonator becomes available once you've scanned two of its fragments. Fortunately, they're both in the same location:

Are you scratching your head because of the alien door in Subnautica 2? This curious-looking object is supposed to lead you to the inner recesses of the observatory. Likewise, just a short distance away, there's a massive turbine that seems to lack power. We've got all the details for you in this guide, but be ready for a few spoilers, too.

• Subnautica 2 guide - Alien observatory door and turbine
  • Alien Ruins biome
  Subnautica 2 guide - Alien observatory door and turbine

  The alien observatory door in Subnautica 2 is fairly close to the Alien Ruins biome/marker, which is a key objective once you're done with the Tadpole Pens. If you're just free-roaming, then the structure is actually 1,100 meters east of the Lifepod. Beware, though, because there are several enemies, including a deadly leviathan, along the way.

  Alien Ruins biome

  Upon reaching the alien observatory, you'll notice a pedestal and a doorway. You can't do anything yet, as you're told that the device requires a massive amount of power to function. For now, though, just explore the Alien Ruins biome and the abandoned base. You should also craft the Bioscanner upgrade and Feedback Resonator upgrade. Both of these are integral for the next tasks.

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

By default in Subnautica 2, mobility is very slow. While you can pull off some movement tech with the Air Bladder and the Dash ability, you'll be moving at a snail's pace for a majority of the early game. However, all of that changes when you gain access to the Wakemaker. The Wakemaker is Subnautica 2's version of the original game's Sea Glider, and it's an equipment item you can use to swim faster.

While you'll want to start using the Wakemaker as quickly as possible, there are a few different steps you need to take before that happens.

Similar to the Tadpole, the Habitat Builder, and just about every other important tool in Subnautica 2, you can only obtain the crafting recipe for the Wakemaker after scanning all of its fragments. To craft the Wakemaker, you need to find three total fragments.

This week is a great one for Nintendo Switch deals, as you'll find a long list of both games and accessories available at a discount. What's most exciting, however, is that physical preorders for both Star Fox and Yoshi and the Mysterious Book are $10 off at Amazon. There's also a slight price cut on Nintendo eShop Gift Card, giving you a chance to save a few bucks on your next digital purchase.

Several popular Hori controllers are on sale at Target--so if you need a new gamepad that won't break the bank, you'll find some great deals to peruse. Console price cuts are still elusive, but since Nintendo is increasing the price of Switch 2 by $50 in September, now is a good time to cash in on these current prices.

Here's a closer look at the best Nintendo and Nintendo Switch 2 deals this week, covering games, consoles, controllers, and more.

Pokemon Character Guide: Deluxe Edition

$60 | Releases August 30

Pokemon Character Guide: Collector's Edition

$200 | Releases August 30

After 30 years, the world of Pokemon has grown massive with hundreds of pocket monsters and multiple regions to explore. Plenty of books have been published over the years, but Pikachu Press's upcoming Pokemon Character Guide is aiming to be a comprehensive and luxurious look at the franchise. Out on August 25, you can preorder this deluxe edition book for $60 through Amazon, or if you want to go all out, a feature-packed $200 Collector's Edition is also available.

Clocking in at 336 pages, the Pokemon Character Guide features entries on over 1,000 Pokemon. Exploring every region in the franchise, the book also shines a light on the various Pokemon animation projects, the video games, Pokemon: The Trading Card Game, and much more. The book also includes a foreword written by The Pokemon Company president and CEO, Tsunekazu Ishihara, and it's enhanced with a ribbon bookmark, premium golden gilded edges, Pikachu endpapers, and a comprehensive index. As an added bonus, the Pokemon Character Guide also features a special chapter focused on Legendary and Mythical Pokemon.

The Collector's Edition of the Pokemon Character Guide features the same content as the Deluxe Edition, but it comes packed with extras. The book itself is packaged inside a collector's box that features ornate designs, and it's accompanied by two collectible video game prints, two collectible animation prints, an exclusive Pokemon: TCG playmat, and a certificate of authenticity.

Another great option for budding Pokemon researchers is the Pokecology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokemon Ecology hardcover book that launched just a few weeks ago. This officially licensed 208-page volume explores the Pokemon universe's unique ecologies based on data from the official Pokedex entries throughout the series, alongside illustrations from illustrator and real-life animal behavior researcher Chihiro Kinoshita. The book is published by Pikachu Press, the same company behind the upcoming Pokemon Character Guide. It's available for $11 (was $15) at Amazon.

Pokecology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokemon Ecology

$11 (was $15)

To complete your Pokemon library, you can also pair the Character Guide and Pokecology books with the official Pokemon Pocket Guide Box Set. This is a massive two-volume paperback box set that covers almost 900 Pokemon. Both entries combined offer over 1,100 pages of content, with details on Pokemon descriptions, stats, abilities, movies, and evolutions. Each Pokemon entry is also accompanied by an illustration, with the first volume covering Pokedex entries No. 1 through 442, and Volume 2 ranges from No. 443 through 898. Pokemon from the Paldean region are sadly excluded, but with Pokemon Winds and Waves coming out next year, this pocket-friendly set of books will come in very handy for when you catch legacy pocket monsters in the Switch 2 game. You can also purchase each volume on its own at decent discounts, but you'll save a few bucks more when you buy the box set edition, which is available for $20.29 (was $29).

Lego The Lord of the Rings: Minas Tirith (8,278 pieces)

$650 | Releases June 4

Lego has officially revealed its newest--and biggest--Lord of the Rings set yet, a massive 8,278-piece recreation of the White City, Minas Tirith. Available now to preorder for $650, the set will release first on June 1 for members of Lego's free rewards program, Lego Insiders, and it will be followed by a global launch on June 4. As an added bonus, any purchases made between June 1 and Jun 7 will also receive the Lego Icons: Lord of the Rings Grond battering ram set as a Gift with Purchase.

Based on the iconic location as seen in Peter Jackson's third Lord of the Rings movie, Return of the King, the Minas Tirith set is a diorama piece that combines an expansive cityscape with detailed interior scenes, including the citadel throne room. The assembled set measures over 23.5 inches high, 24.5 inches wide, and has a depth of 14.5 inches. Essentially, you're going to need a lot of room to display it in all its glory.

It also comes with the following 10 minifigures:

• Aragorn (in King Elessar garb)
• Arwen
• Denethor (with tiny tomatoes)
• Faramir
• Gandalf the White
• Gondor Guards (four in total)
• Peregrin Took

Gallery

As mentioned above, this is Lego's largest LOTR set yet, dwarfing impressive past releases like the Rivendell and Barad-dûr Tower by a significant margin. All of these sets are still available to order in case you'd like to complete your collection, alongside smaller LOTR kits like Sauron's Helmet and the Balrog Book Nook.

• Balrog Book Nook (1,201 pieces) -- $109 ($130)
• Barad-dûr Tower (5,471 pieces) -- $459
• Sauron's Helmet (538 pieces) -- $70
• The Shire (2,017 pieces) -- $270
• Sméagol & Déagol (181 pieces) -- $110 ($120)
• Rivendell (6,167 pieces) -- $499

Moving to other realms beyond Middle-earth, you can also preorder several more upcoming Lego sets. The company is expanding its line of video game console replicas with a Sega Genesis set and it's also celebrating 25 years of Shrek with an absolutely cursed diorama set.

The Xbox Elite Controller 2 has remained one of the best options for gaming on not just Xbox consoles, but PC, for several years now, but it appears it's about to get an upgrade. Images of the Xbox Elite 3 Controller have appeared online via a Brazilian regulator, and they show a few new features that players should be very excited about.

As spotted by Tecnoblog (via The Verge), the new Xbox Elite 3 Controller features two scrolls wheels on either side of the headset connector, for reasons unclear. A pair button will also make it easy to shift between local play and cloud play, letting you choose whether the controller is connected directly to your system or to your Wi-Fi network.

Xbox Elite 3 controller leaked pic.twitter.com/4sMEpQm9Sd

— Xbox News & Deals (@XboxStockAlerts) May 14, 2026

The other big change is the inclusion of a removable battery pack. Previous Elite Controllers used a non-removable battery, much like PS5 controllers use, but offering the removable option should let players continue to use the same controller long after the original battery has degraded. Microsoft has made a point of including traditional AA battery compartments in most of its wireless controllers over the years, giving players the option of purchasing separate rechargeable packs if they so choose.

For a long time, the common wisdom was that game consoles would usurp PC gaming, leaving it a niche hobby, ignored by the greater gaming community. And indeed, for a long time consoles were the most popular way to play mainstream games. But recently, especially since the release of the current generation of consoles, the very opposite seems to be coming true. PC gaming has been expanding while consoles falter.

Looking forward to the next Xbox and PlayStation consoles, analysts are predicting $900 as the low end of possible pricing--and that number is seeming more and more optimistic. That's a lot of money to spend for a dedicated machine that, for most console owners, is just used for playing Call of Duty or the latest football game. Consoles are becoming too expensive for all but the most dedicated gamers to justify--especially when gamers in their teens and early 20s have grown up in a world where a console is no longer needed to play the vast majority of games.

While the gaming industry as a whole is still massive, the traditional sector of games are struggling. Games industry sales tracker Circana reported that last year, games spending in general dropped by 4% compared to last year. Hardware spending specifically dropped 27% percent. Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 sales dropped by 70% and 40%, respectively. Nintendo's numbers were bolstered by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, but still saw a 10% drop. Both PS5 and the current Xbox consoles have seen multiple price hikes in the last 18 months, and the Nintendo Switch 2 launched at $450 in the US, 50% higher than the launch price of the first Switch.

The first season of the anime adaptation of Devil May Cry on Netflix was a refreshing remix of the Capcom intellectual property, and its second season wastes no time in using the momentum from its cliffhanger ending to leap straight into action. As subtle as a sledgehammer to the face, Devil May Cry Season 2 is a sharper and bolder follow-up, expanding its ensemble cast and amplifying the action in this video game adaptation.

Kicking off in the midst of the US's new war on demonic terror, spearheaded by a literal cowboy president--and orchestrated by sinister forces in the background--Season 2 is firmly in its numetal phase of action and storytelling. With Dante still on ice and Lady grappling with her guilt over her role in the slaughter of innocent demons, it's the introduction of Vergil that steals the show.

Dante's twin brother brings his signature stoic attitude to the screen as he finds himself on a destined collision course with his sibling. Johnny Yong Bosch and Robbie Daymond have a commanding presence whenever they appear as Dante and Vergil, respectively. But when they share the stage? It's a jackpot moment as we see more of Vergil’s past, his motivations, and the forces manipulating him.

In the past decade, life sims (and farming sims, in particular) have gone from a relatively niche genre with a handful of standout titles to a full-blown phenomenon. While this is great for players who now have an abundance of fields to plow, animals to tend to, and townsfolk to woo, the sheer saturation of these titles makes it harder than ever for a game to truly stand out. As such, more and more of these games have sought out interesting angles to help shake up the formula--just look at the current trend of "cozy" games subverting the genre by incorporating horror. However, players looking for something horror-adjacent but decidedly less blood-soaked than Neverway or Grave Seasons have long been out of luck--until now.

Little Chicken's Moonlight Peaks seeks to bridge the gap between the cozy and the macabre, offering up a lighthearted life-sim experience set in a world filled with vampires, werewolves, witches, and seers. After spending around five hours with Moonlight Peaks, I found a fair amount to enjoy--its vibrant-yet-moody color palette and lush environments being chief among them. In the demo I played, the game feels a bit barebones and lacks the ability to truly compel me (both puns very much intended). The controls also feel just a bit off and the world and its characters, not fully alive. However, I remain cautiously optimistic that, with more time spent in development (the game is set to launch in July), Moonlight Peaks could deliver an experience that sets it apart from similar titles.

In Moonlight Peaks, you play as Count Dracular's heir apparent. After yet another fight with your blood- and soul-sucking father, you decide it's time to leave the castle and create a life of your own somewhere else. This journey leads you to your witchy mother's former hometown, the small village of Moonlight Peaks.

Once you start getting past the initial area in Subnautica 2, you'll begin to encounter more resources, which are required to craft advanced tools, healing supplies, and materials. These resources aren't as common as Titanium and Copper, though, so they can take some time to track down. One of the resources you'll be chasing for hours is Silver, which is a necessary resource to improve all sorts of technology. While Silver can be a pain to find, there are specific areas you can look in Subnautica 2 that will yield a guaranteed supply of it.

There are technically two different kinds of Silver in Subnautica 2: regular ore and Silver Outcrops. Regular Silver ore can be looted with your hands just like any other metal, but Silver Outcrops require the use of a Sonar Resonator to mine due to their larger size and harvest potential.

The Sonar Resonator has fragments lying around that you can scan to eventually build it. However, that will take hours into Subnautica 2, and you need Silver to upgrade your oxygen tank rather quickly, so you'll want to know where regular ore can be found.

After years of development and behind-the-scenes controversy, Subnautica 2 from developer Unknown Worlds is out now in early access. If you're curious about the game but don't have an Xbox or a PC powerful enough, there is another way to play it--by streaming it to a device you already own via Nvidia GeForce now or Microsoft's cloud gaming service.

For GeForce Now, you still have to buy the game and then subscribe to the service to play it. There is a free tier of the service, but it limits you to one-hour sessions, has ads, caps you at 1080p/60fps, and streams from a "basic" rig. Alternatively, you can pay $10/month for no ads and streaming from a GeForce RTX rig with six-hour sessions and up to 1440p/60fps. There is also an Ultimate tier of GeForce Now ($20/month) that has no ads, eight-hour sessions, and up to 5K/360fps.

Go to the GeForce Now website to learn more.

Are you wondering about how to heal your character in Subnautica 2? The world of Proteus is full of mysteries and wonders, but danger also lurks in every corner. If you decide to play on Creative Mode, then don't fret, since your character is pretty much invulnerable. Conversely, if you're playing on Survival Mode, then this guide is for you.

At the start, your character has 100 health/HP. This gets depleted if you experience mishaps, such as:

• Going hungry (starving) or thirsty (dehydration). Each time your food or water meter ticks, you lose -4 HP.
• Taking damage from enemies and the environment--i.e. extreme heat. The damage you suffer varies.
• Leviathans are also considered hostile creatures, but they'll gobble up your character whole, leading to instant death.
• Running out of oxygen causes your screen to darken. If you're unable to replenish it in time, your character will perish, too.

To heal your character in Subnautica 2, you can consume items known as Medical Gel Sacs. These come from underwater plants known as Acidic Raions:

After nearly a year of speculation, AMD has announced that it is bringing its latest generation of AI-powered upscaling technology, FSR 4.1, to its older generations of GPUs, starting with RDNA 3 cards as early as July.

FSR 4.1 launched in March for AMD's latest GPUs, namely the RX 9070 XT, 9070, and more. Older, but just as capable, RDNA 3 cards such as the RX 7900 XTX, have been stuck on FSR 3, with AMD repeatedly stating that newer hardware in its latest cards enabled the AI upscaling in a way previous architecture couldn't. That is no longer the case, with AMD's Jack Huynh stating that the company has done a lot of work to ensure the upscaling suite is optimized for the older hardware. Better still, he says AMD is also planning to release FSR 4.1 on even older RDNA 2 GPUs, such as the one found in the Steam Deck, in early 2027.

This not only enhances older desktop GPUs during a time where the price of PC hardware has increased exponentially, but it also is good news for upcoming RDNA 3 devices, like Valve's Steam Machine. When it was originally announced, Valve said that the living-room PC would leverage upscaling to support games at 4K, but the reliance on FSR 3 at the time didn't make that option too enticing given its shortcomings. With FSR 4.1, the same technology that currently underpins Sony's PSSR 2 on the PlayStation 5 Pro, that is a different discussion entirely.

Rockstar Games owner Take-Two saw its stock price jump by over 6% today after news broke that preorders for GTA 6 could start on Monday, May 18. Reading between the lines here, it appears investors are excited about the idea that Rockstar is finally going to start taking people's money.

Investors may also see this report as more of an indication that GTA 6 will not be delayed again and will actually come out on November 19, thus signaling strength and confidence in the stock.

With Take-Two's share value climbing today--it's at $242 as of publish time--the company has added $2 billion+ in market cap. Even with the growth, Take-Two's share price so far in 2026 has fallen by about 4%, however. The company's stock value took a beating in February when Google announced Project Genie, a new AI system that it said was capable of creating video game worlds.

Cloud gaming has been a big focus for Microsoft and the Xbox division for several years, and the company has been rumored to be working on a new controller to help with this initiative. It looks like images for the peripheral have leaked, but compared to the standard Xbox Wireless Controller that has been in action for over five years, this new model looks to be a polarizing new design.

Images from Brazil's Anatel regulator (via Tecnoblog) show off a device that's smaller and more compact than a standard controller. The new controller reportedly features the standard inputs of an Xbox controller, a rechargeable 500mAh internal battery, Bluetooth connectivity for 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, and Wi-Fi functionality for game streaming.

Este é o novo controle da Microsoft para Xbox Cloud Gaming https://t.co/P27j4Rn0M2

— Tecnoblog (@Tecnoblog) May 14, 2026

For the last couple of years, the Epic Games Store has given away free games every week through its PC storefront. With the company having launched its own mobile store, it has also started a second free games program on iOS and Android devices, kicking things off with a curated library of titles and weekly freebies. The app also features mobile versions of Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League Sideswipe.

To access these games you will need to create a free Epic account and install the free Epic Games Store mobile app and log in with your account, but once you do, you can start claiming your free games every Thursday through it. One other thing to note is that Android users can access the app via Android-based emulation devices like Retroid Pocket, as they aren't limited to just smartphone and tablets.

For now, only iOS users in the European Union can install the app, but the app is available worldwide to Android device users and they have a wider selection of games to choose from in comparison. Like its PC counterpart, you'll have one week to grab each game that's offered. Here's a closer look at what you can grab this week, and what the current mobile games library has to offer. You can also explore what the free PC games are this week on the Epic Games Store.

At long last, Subnautica 2 is playable and open to explore. Set on an entirely different planet from the first two games, there are never-before-seen items, creatures, and locations to explore in Subnautica 2. So, whether you're a Subnautica veteran or someone getting into the franchise for the first time, you'll be entering a whole new world when you strap in for your first playthrough.

To help you out for the first few hours of your journey, we have put together a list of 10 beginner tips that will make your time on the Proteus planet much easier in Subnautica 2. While you'll still have to figure out a bulk of the game by yourself, these tips should make the beginning stages of the game go smoother.

One aspect of Subnautica 2 that hasn't changed from the previous two games is the ability to scan objects and add them as data entries. Right from the start of the game, you'll have access to your scanner, which allows you to learn more about a creature or object after you spend a few seconds examining it with the device.

Diablo 4's latest patch fixed a number of bugs, including one that is now allowing players to become near immortal by stacking Resolve.

Tucked away in the lengthy patch notes for update 3.0.2 is one, unassuming change for the Paladin's Aspect of Glynn's Anvil. Lord of Hatred's launch seemingly broke the aspect, causing it to not properly increase damage reduction based on stacks of Resolve. As of May 13, that's been fixed.

While the fix is listed as a Paladin change, the aspect is actually usable by every class except for Sorcerer and Warlock. Now that it's fixed, players have found that imprinting Glynn's Anvil on a piece of gear and then proceeding to Temper as many + Maximum Resolve stacks as possible on items results in a toughness rating in the millions.

Are you curious about where to find all Colonist Bunkers in Subnautica 2? These habs are quite well-hidden. They used to be the hideouts and homes of colonists who were trying to eke out a living on the ocean planet of Proteus. Sadly, these buildings--and scattered clues--are all that they've left behind. That said, these locations happen to have biobeds, which unlock permanent upgrades for your character.

• All biobed upgrades from Colonist Bunkers in Subnautica 2
  • Colonist Bunker #1: Anita's Garden
  • Colonist Bunker #2: Salvage
  • Colonist Bunker #3: Quaker's Meetinghouse
  • Colonist Bunker #4: Unauthorized NOA Modification
  All biobed upgrades from Colonist Bunkers in Subnautica 2

  As of now, we've found four Colonist Bunkers in Subnautica 2. While these are optional locations, it's a good idea to search for them as you're roaming around the seabed. The upgrades themselves increase your inventory capacity and add extra tool slots. As an aside, we do encourage you to check our mini-walkthrough, which should help you understand the lay of the land, er, water.

  Colonist Bunker #1: Anita's Garden
  • Location: 100 meters east-southeast of the Lifepod.
  • Landmark/tips: As you approach this area, you'll see an underwater current that pushes you downward. Ride the current and, once you're in the cavern, look for the Alterra crates with the Wakemaker fragment and recording. If you check the northeastearn side, you'll see a tunnel with red kelp. Go through the tunnel to find the bunker.
  • Reward: Endurance - Gain +3 inventory slots.
  • Other scannable objects: N/A

  

  Colonist Bunker #2: Salvage
  • Location: Roughly 200 meters north-northeast of the Lifepod.
  • Landmark/tips: This Subnautica 2 Colonist Bunker is close to the Angel Comb Adaptation. Look for a cave opening next to a ledge with Alterra equipment. Swim down to the bottom of the opening and look to your left.
  • Reward: Dexterity - Gain +1 tool slot/keybind.
  • Other scannable objects: Repair Tool and Habitat Builder.

  

  Colonist Bunker #3: Quaker's Meetinghouse
  • Location: 250 meters south-southeast of the Lifepod.
  • Landmark/tips: This is part of the objective where you search for the Chap blackbox recording. It's inside a cave guarded by a Coral Crab. Another notable landmark is the set of pillars that jut out of the top of the plateau.
  • Reward: Endurance - Gain +3 inventory slots.
  • Other scannable objects: Bioreactor.

  

  Colonist Bunker #4: Unauthorized NOA Modification
  • Location: 300 meters south-southwest of the Lifepod.
  • Landmark/tips: The hatch is jutting out of a ridge near the seafloor and a crashed ship.
  • Reward: Endurance - Gain +3 inventory slots.
  • Other scannable objects: Tadpole Fragment.

  

  That does it for our guide on where to find all Colonist Bunkers in Subnautica 2. We'll keep you posted in case we discover others, so stay tuned. In the meantime, we encourage you to head to our Adaptations guide so you can obtain permanent boosts for your character. We also have a mini-walkthrough that you can read so you'll know where to go next for the sandbox campaign.

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Some more classic virtual reality games are coming to flatscreen gaming platforms, as Polyarc has announced Moss: The Forgotten Relic. It's great that more players will have access to these wonderful games, but it does feel like a result of the struggles that VR gaming currently faces.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic combines Moss, Moss: The Twilight Garden, and Moss: Book 2 into a singular experience for Steam and PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles. Like in the VR games, players will guide a mouse named Quill through a storybook adventure, interacting with the world to help out along the way. This version reworks the camera and presentation to work on flatscreen TVs or monitors, when it previously did not.

Are you wondering about where to find all Adaptations in Subnautica 2? These aren't just permanent upgrades. They actually alter your character's DNA, granting new abilities that allow you to progress further into the campaign. Our guide has all the details that you need.

• All Angel Comb Adaptation locations in Subnautica 2

As of the time of this writing, we've discovered four types of Adaptations in Subnautica 2. These come from large tree-like structures known as Angel Combs. A couple of these can be obtained fairly easily, since you only need to interact with the pink bulb. The rest, however, require a bit of patience and effort.

Subnautica 2 has only been out for about an hour, but it's already attracted hundreds of thousands of concurrent players on Steam alone.

Unknown Worlds Entertainment launched Subnautica 2 on Steam and Xbox Series X|S at 11 AM ET today, May 14. There was a ton of interest right out of the gate, and a look at Steam's most-played games shows some eye-watering concurrent player count stats. At the time of writing, its last reported peak concurrent player count was 437,656, and that number is trending upwards.

Forza Horizon 6 is designed in nearly every way to feel like a party, but my coworker sought to make it my funeral.

Okay, not my actual coworker, but his Drivatar.

If you're unfamiliar, Forza Drivatars are CPU-controlled embodiments of you, making it so that even if you're playing the game solo, you'll get the thrill and the feel of racing real people. It gives CPU racers the names, custom license plates, and even the cars of those on your friends list, as well as others who have played the game, and it's trained on their driving habits to perform the way they do in races.

The Epic Games Store continues to give away a free game each week, and this week's offering is another nice find at a price that can't be beat. Every Thursday at 8 AM PT / 11 AM ET, Epic offers at least one free PC game (and sometimes even as many as two or three). All you need to do to claim the free games is create a free Epic account and enable two-factor authentication. You have a week to add the freebies to your library before the new one(s) take their place. At this point, Epic has given away hundreds of free games, and there's no sign that the program will stop any time soon. The company has also extended its freebies to Android devices, and you can claim a free game every week here as well. We keep this article up to date weekly to highlight both the current free games and next week's offerings.

If you're looking for more freebies, you can check out our list of the 25 best free PC games to play right now, or for more options, the 25 best free games to play on multiple platforms.

Are you curious about where you need to go first in Subnautica 2? The world of Proteus is vast and made up primarily of water. That means, just like the previous games in the series, you need to dive to the depths to discover information about lost colonists and ancient wonders. Our guide is just what you need whether you're playing on Survival Mode or Creative Mode.

• Subnautica 2 sandbox campaign: Differences between Creative Mode and Survival Mode

While Subnautica 2 does have an expansive sandbox, there are some notable differences depending on the mode you choose at the start of the campaign. Here's what you need to know about Creative Mode:

• Creative Mode removes all constraints: Your health, oxygen, food, and water meters won't get depleted at all. Likewise, most enemies remain passive and won't even bother you.
• All blueprints/recipes and Adaptations are, likewise, available to you right from the get-go. However, you still need to gather resources if you want to craft and build stuff.
• Various tools, such as the Wakemaker, Sonic Resonator, and Scanner are all neatly assigned to hotkeys. They won't run out of battery at all.
• Most blackbox signals won't appear. It's a pure sandbox as opposed to regular progression.

Survival Mode, meanwhile, offers a more traditional experience:

Are you looking for Lithium in Subnautica 2? Described as the softest and least dense of metals, this mineral is used for certain advanced blueprints, including Plasteel Ingots when processed alongside Titanium. To get more of it, you have to head to areas that are filled with danger.

• As of the time of this writing, we've found Lithium in a couple of areas:
• Lithium locations in the Zezuran Desert
• Lithium from the Great Jaw's mouth

• Near thermal vents in the Zezuran Desert
• Inside the core of the Great Jaw

Lithium Deposits can be found in caverns and tunnels deep within the Zezuran Desert. Assuming you're playing on Survival Mode, it would be a terrible idea to go to this location without preparing first. That's because you need to pass close to thermal vents and the biome itself has high temperatures. Instead, we recommend the following:

• Progress through the sandbox campaign normally with the help of our mini-walkthrough. The story beats should lead you to the Tadpole Pens in the Zezuran Desert.
• You also need to unlock the Heat Tolerance Adaptation, so your health doesn't get depleted while exploring the biome.
• Due to the distance that you need to cover, as well as all the enemies along the way, you should probably build the Tadpole vehicle, too.
• Finally, make sure you have a Sonic Resonator with you. The device is used to break large chunks of mineral deposits.

There's another viable Lithium farming spot in Subnautica 2, but each attempt can be very risky. That's because it's right in the middle of the Great Jaw, a gigantic clam with an appetite. Here's what you need to know:

Are you wondering about how you can drink water and eat alien food in Subnautica 2? Similar to previous games in the series, your character is marooned in an ocean world and you need to find ways to survive. Things won't be that easy, since humans can't easily digest the meat from strange creatures.

• Subnautica 2 survival guide: Food and water

If you're playing on Creative Mode, then you shouldn't worry about hunger and thirst at all. Your character, for all intents and purposes, is immortal.

In Survival Mode, however, things might be a little too challenging since you need to look for food and water items. These items can be crafted using a Fabricator, and the recipes that you unlock should appear in the device's Sustenance tab. It's also possible to find these consumables lying around as loot, such as those inside supply crates.

Do you want to increase your maximum oxygen in Subnautica 2? If you're playing on Creative Mode, then you don't need to worry too much since your character can't die. However, in Survival Mode, your oxygen gets depleted too fast, which makes frequent dives very challenging. Here's our guide to help you with this particular mechanic.

• Subnautica 2 survival guide: Oxygen
  • The surface and other safe zones
  Subnautica 2 survival guide: Oxygen

  In Survival Mode, your character has 45 oxygen by default. This gets depleted at the rate of -1 oxygen per second while you're underwater. That means you have to find ways to quickly replenish oxygen, as well as methods that increase the maximum amount.

  The surface and other safe zones

  Swimming to the surface rapidly restores your oxygen in Subnautica 2. This might sound simple, but it can be quite tough when you're hundreds of meters below sea level. Thankfully, there are safe areas that also help replenish oxygen levels:

  Continue Reading at GameSpot

Ahead of Subnautica 2's launch in early access, I spoke to a few of the developers in a Group Q&A as part of a media conference presentation. And, of course, as GameSpot's resident enthusiast of mutating our heroes for the betterment of horror, I used the chance to ask whether the underwater survival-adventure game will use its new adaptation feature to transform the protagonist into an aquatic mutant over time. The answer was disappointing, but completely understandable.

"I would say, even though [Subnautica 2] is one of the biggest games the studio has made, we're still a pretty small studio--when you look at AAA developers, they often have more designers than we have people on the entire team, for instance, we're pretty small," Subnautica 2 game design lead Anthony Gallegos told me. "So we're not trying to focus on genetic adaptations that change the player's look very often."

Taking place on Alterra, an alien planet that humanity tried and failed to colonize years prior, Subnautica 2 sees you play as a pioneer who must find a way to make the entirely water-covered world a home after your colony ship crashes on its surface while you and your fellow colonists were on your way to a completely different planet. Playable in single-player or in online four-player co-op, you're tasked with diving beneath the waves in search of resources to survive and build a makeshift base.

Are you eager to dive straight down the depths in Subnautica 2? Unknown Worlds Entertainment's newest survival game will have you exploring vast oceans, abandoned bases, and ancient alien structures, all while trying to fend off hostile creatures and massive leviathans. Our Subnautica 2 guides hub has several articles to help you every step of the way.

Where to go first in the campaign - You're stranded smack dab in the middle of the ocean and you only have a Lifepod as a point of reference. So, what should you do next?

How to get food and water - Your character will get hungry and thirsty after a short while. It's imperative that you find food and water, but bear in mind that your human body won't be able to digest alien food that easily.

It's no secret that video games--especially those of the big-budget AAA variety--take a long time to make, and that's something Square Enix is looking to address. In its new report for the financial year ending March 2026, the company says that it's on track to complete a "framework" that will allow it to ramp production on games for its "major" franchises.

"Steady progress is also being made in establishing a framework that enables regular new title launches for major IP," the company explained in a slide that highlighted Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, with images of games released within each respective IP over the last 12 months.

Both franchises have had a fairly consistent release cadence over the last couple of years across PC, console, and mobile devices with spin-offs, remasters, and remakes sandwiched between mainline releases. Multiple remakes of classic Dragon Quest games in Square-Enix's HD-2D engine have been released, while Final Fantasy has expanded with Switch 2 ports of the first entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy, the remake of Final Fantasy Tactics, and the new mobile-exclusive Dissidia Duellem game.

As I left the theater after watching Hokum, I overheard a person behind me tell their partner, "Audio logs? Item-based puzzles? That movie felt like a video game."

My eyes widened, as I now had nearly instantaneous confirmation that it wasn't just me who felt this way--it wasn't just me who spent nearly all of Hokum's 107 minutes thinking, "Man, I wish I could play this."

Game developer Eric Barone, known for creating Stardew Valley and the upcoming Haunted Chocolatier, has commented on the hot-button issue of AI in gaming.

Speaking to Game Informer, Barone said AI technologies may have a place in game development for "very specific zoomed-in cases," but he wouldn't want to use it for creative endeavors.

"You're offloading creativity to an algorithm, which I think is always going to undermine the pure and authentic human element of what you're doing," he said. "So for me, as someone who wants to express myself in an artistic way, I wouldn't ever want to use AI for any sort of creative thing, because it's beside the point of what I'm doing. My goal is to express myself in a creative way. Why would I let an AI do that for me?"

Nintendo has just announced the release date for its upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie. If that sentence sounds familiar, it's probably because this is the third time the film's release date has been tweaked. The good news is it hasn't been delayed again--in fact, it's now coming out sooner than previously planned.

"I would like to let you know that the worldwide theatrical release date for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda has been moved up to April 30, 2027, from May 7," Nintendo veteran Shigeru Miyamoto said via a recent post on the company's X account. "The team is working hard to deliver the film to everyone as soon as possible. There’s less than a year to go until release, so thank you for waiting."

"In order to deliver it to everyone even one day sooner, the team is united in advancing production," he reiterated in a second post. "It's less than a year until release, but please wait just a little longer."

Even if you're a fan of bullet-hell shooters, you could be forgiven for missing Sektori. The twin-stick shooter flew under the radar for many upon its initial release on PC in 2025, since it dropped in the middle of November when players are swamped with huge games and preparing for the holidays. Still, it garnered a respectable following as a cult masterpiece, and now with its release on Switch 2, it has the opportunity to grow even more. In fact, the Switch 2 version may just be the best home for it.

Fans of the beloved Xbox Live Arcade game Geometry Wars will immediately feel at home in Sektori. The pulsing techno thumping as you navigate your geometrically-shaped ship through legions of enemies fits right into that milieu. If it were simply a well-crafted homage to a beloved classic, that might be enough to make it worth your while, but Sektori actually adds a lot to the formula.

First and foremost, Sektori is a roguelike. The level layouts and enemy placements are procedurally generated, and the battlefield shifts as you play. As you dive in and learn its rhythms you notice that red indicates impending danger or a shifting stage layout. The stage itself constantly changes shapes, varying from very narrow rocket formation to a wider layout to a series of separated stage pieces that you can hop between using jump pads. That element of randomness makes every run feel different and keeps you on your toes.

A new set photo from the upcoming The Legend of Zelda movie might have just teased a very important cast addition: the Hylian retriever. Spotted by Dexerto, an X user named SILENTPRINCESS posted an alleged behind-the-scenes photo for the live-action film, with a dog named Clay wearing a badge that says, "Day Player."

The puppy appears to be an Australian shepherd and looks very similar to the dogs found in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at various horse stables throughout Hyrule. The canines also appear in Tears of the Kingdom, and unfortunately, you can't pet them. The "day player" label would mean Clay is only on set for--you guessed it--a day, maybe two. That would telegraph that the very good boy won't be a major character in The Legend of Zelda movie but could still have a small and meaningful part. Or, the dog might just be a background pet in the film.

❗️BREAKING NEWS: a dog was cast on the zelda movie! pic.twitter.com/sPUDjyeIF7

— bea ✈️🇹🇷 (@SlLENTPRINCESS) May 12, 2026

This week has also seen The Legend of Zelda's release date get moved up a week to April 30, 2027. Originally, the Sony and Nintendo production was slated for March 26, 2027, before getting delayed to May 7, 2027. These aren't drastic changes, but the movie premiere has obviously bounced around a bit.

A new report claims that Amazon Games canceled a project in the works under the name Project Trident, which was a third-person comedic action game taking place in a nordic setting.

The game, according to Eurogamer, would have involved a fictional parody company known as Valhalla Ventures, with the company hiring the player who would then go off on an adventure.

The report said one of the game's twists was that it would use generative AI to support communication between the player and NPCs. The generative AI communication was said to be a "key tool for combat and puzzle-solving." As an example, the report said the Norse god Thor was planned to be in the game, and that players could say the name of a special attack out loud (or type it into a text box) and have Thor perform the action. The report said Project Trident would have also allowed players to recruit other characters to join them, again using words spoken out loud. The popular RPG Skyrim allowed players to do this on Xbox with Kinect back on Xbox 360 more than a decade ago.

Amazon Games has confirmed it has not given up in its effort to make a new The Lord of the Rings game, after multiple MMO projects in Middle-earth did not work out.

Amazon Games boss Jeff Grattis told Eurogamer, "Our creative team continues to explore a compelling new game experience that does justice to Tolkien's world; we are working closely with Middle-earth and remain excited about the IP."

Amazon's latest attempt to make a The Lord of the Rings MMO failed to materialize in anything, as it was reported in October 2025 that the game had been canceled amid wider layoffs. A source told Eurogamer that this project--which was in the works alongside rights-owner Embracer--entered pre-production only months before the layoffs were announced in 2025.

Grand Theft Auto 6 preorders are due to begin on Monday, May 18, according to emails being sent to Best Buy affiliate partners. The Cheap Ass Gamer account, a reputable page for all kinds of deals-related news for video games, received the email and shared the details online.

The notice said preorders for GTA 6's physical edition, and for the campaign specifically, will begin on May 18. GTA 6 is expected to have an online mode, too, but it may not release until sometime after GTA 6 launches on November 19.

If preorders do indeed begin on May 18, then Rockstar will presumably reveal GTA 6's price by then as well. That's been a heavily discussed topic, with a Bank of America stock analyst recently saying Rockstar should price the game at $80 to help drive up prices across the wider industry. Selling big new games for $70 is unsustainable and leading to all manner of negative effects in the gaming industry, analysts and researchers have said.

Once imagined as an open-world spin-off of the Forza Motorsport series, Forza Horizon has grown into the main event. Across the last five games, the globe-trotting, open-world racing series has taken players from the Australian Outback to the beaches of Mexico and beyond. But one location has been on the community's wishlist for years and years. In Forza Horizon 6, we finally head to Japan, and it's the pairing of this huge, diverse racing playground with best-in-class gameplay that makes Forza Horizon 6 so hard to put down.

In Forza Horizon 6, the Horizon Festival has descended on Tokyo and the surrounding region, taking its brightly colored decor and cheerfully car-obsessed people to a map that feels larger and more interesting than any before it. The last few entries of the series had been chasing the high of Forza Horizon 3's Australian map, but here, the team has finally raised the bar. Drifting through Shibuya Crossing, barreling down snowy roads in the Alps, and cutting stylishly through bamboo forests or past the country's iconic cherry blossoms are among the many thrills the open world offers.

Like its predecessors, Forza Horizon 6 reimagines Japan, taking artistic license to condense its many different settings into one drivable area, and it's done so thoughtfully that arriving in a new region often feels like a cinematic event. The enormous roadside snowbanks in the northern part of the map are intimidating, blanketing the streets in shadow, while speeding past the bullet train in the opening set-piece proves right away that developer Playground Games still understands what makes this series memorable. Simply put, it is the exploration of the game's map that is its best feature, even more than racing through it.

Of all the many things to do in Forza Horizon 6, collecting treasure cars is one of the most enjoyable. They can also be very tricky to find if you don't understand the clues you're given to track them down. Forza Horizon 6 launches with nine new treasure cars, and each is parked somewhere on the massive Japan map. You'll need to use context clues given to you by photos of where the cars are in order to locate them. Naturally, you can also skip the scavenger hunt and use our guide, which details where to find each of them.

• Where to find all treasure cars in Forza Horizon 6

Note that there are nine regions (not counting the endgame Legends Island) in Forza Horizon 6, and there's one treasure car in each of those regions. You can find these in any order; it just depends on the direction you choose to take in the open world.

When the game prompts you that you've received a treasure car photo, it means you're in the right region to find it, and you're likely even pretty close. You could switch to drone mode by pressing down, then up, on the D-pad, which helps you scan the land more quickly. You could also just buy the game's Treasure Map via an in-game real-money purchase.

An all Druid, all tank Mythic+ dungeon group was recently able to clear some of World of Warcraft's most difficult content, and their accomplishment has the MMORPG's community questioning whether the "holy trinity" of tank, healer, and DPS is now obsolete.

As spotted by Wowhead, a group of five Guardian Druids earlier this week were able to clear a +20 Mythic dungeon, among the hardest content in the entire game currently. They did this without a single healer or DPS, and did it without resorting to bugs or other exploits. Not only did the group clear the dungeon, they also timed it with six minutes to spare and only three deaths.

A completed +20 key isn't the highest we've seen as part of Midnight Season 1 (that would be a +23). However, the fact that such a high key was able to be done with so much extra time on the clock and minimal deaths is still an incredibly impressive achievement, even if this current Mythic+ season is considered the easiest in the game's history.

Later this summer, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced will give players a chance to revisit the age of pirates. But there's a real treasure worth $500,000 waiting for at least one lucky player, thanks to a new contest held by Ubisoft and Unsolved Hunts.

Gold & Crystal - The Lost Treasure of Edward Kenway--which is named after Black Flag's lead character--has been designed to be "a unique and immersive pirate experience." The prize awaiting at the end of this journey is a chest that has a replica crystal skull from Black Flag, as well as gold coins that have been minted with the game's logo.

According to the game's official site, the treasure hunt will likely play out "between two and five years." To find the treasure, players will have to solve 15 puzzles, all of which contain references to Resynced. However, the puzzles are said to be solvable without having any previous knowledge about the game. A preview puzzle is currently on the Assassin's Creed site, which is offering 10 randomly players who get the right answer a chance to win free digital access to the actual treasure hunt when it begins on November 9.

Tears of the Kingdom: Mineru's Construct Amiibo

$35 | Releases September 17, 2026

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom added tons of cool powers and items to Link's repertoire, including a full pilotable mech that accompany you after unlocking it in a late main story quest. Built by the Sage of Spirit, Mineru--who also makes an appearance in last year's Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment--the stompy mech is one of the most unique--and most powerful--of Link's companions. And soon, Mineru's Construct is finally getting the Amiibo treatment later this year. Mineru's Construct Amiibo figure will launch on September 17for $35, and preorders are already available.

Nintendo first unveiled the Mineru's Construct Amiibo back when the Switch 2 launched in June 2025. While it costs a little bit more than your standard Amiibo, this model is larger than them and features more intricate details and articulated arms.

Like other Amiibo, the figure can be scanned into your Switch or Switch 2 console to unlock in-game items and perks for several Legend of Zelda games, including random item drops in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and special fabrics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

With this new Mineru figure, Zelda fans can finally complete their collection of Sage companions from Tears of the Kingdom. Amiibo figures of game's four other Sages--Riju, Sidon, Tulin, and Yonobo--are also available, along with a few other Zelda figures based on Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild, and Wind Waker.

• Bokoblin (Breath of the Wild) -- $21
• Ganondorf (Tears of the Kingdom) -- $27.74 ($30)
• Link archer (Breath of the Wild) -- $35
• Sidon (Tears of the Kingdom) -- $30
• Riju (Tears of the Kingdom) -- $24 ($30)
• Tulin (Tears of the Kingdom) -- $30
• Yunobo (Tears of the Kingdom) -- $30
• Zelda (Wind Waker) -- $20

While we can assume the next Legend of Zelda game will launch on Switch 2, that likely won't be out for quite some time. Thankfully, there are plenty of other Switch 2 games coming out very soon. For some family-friendly fun, there's the adventure-platformer Yoshi and the Mysterious Book while Star Fox fans can hop into the cockpit of the iconic Arwing starship with Star Fox later this year, and Splatoon fans can gear up for the series' first single player-focused entry, Splatoon Raiders--which also has some lovely Amiibo figures on the way.

A trio of Ultra Beasts have returned to Pokemon Go for a limited time. Xurkitree, Buzzwole, and Pheromosa are back as five-star Raid bosses from May 13-19. Each of these Pokemon will appear exclusively in a particular region of the world, but if you have friends around the globe, you can still participate in those Raids using a Remote Raid Pass.

Here are some tips to help you defeat and catch Xurkitree before it leaves Raids again. And for a look at what else is happening in the game this month, be sure to check out our Pokemon Go May events roundup.

• Xurkitree Weaknesses

While most other Ultra Beasts are dual types, Xurkitree is pure electric, which means the extradimensional Pokemon only has one true weakness: ground types. Not only will ground Pokemon deal super-effective damage to Xurkitree, they'll take reduced damage from the Ultra Beast's electric attacks, making them your best choice.

Epic Games is giving the Zero Build version of Fortnite Battle Royale a massive makeover on May 14, with the last major update in Chapter 7 Season 2. Among Epic's many new additions are a new utility slot exclusive to Zero Build, glider re-deploy at any time when jumping off tall objects, and unlimited sprint when your pickaxe is out--and you'll no longer die from fall damage. These are some pretty fundamental changes that are likely to significantly alter the flow of battle in Zero Build. This is the first time since it was first introduced in 2022 that Zero Build is getting its own overhaul completely separate from build mode.

These changes aren't necessarily permanent, as Epic's announcement referred to the changes as an "experiment." So the final three weeks of Season 2 will be a test to see how the new mechanics go down with players, and the new stuff may or may not stick around beyond that. But it seems likely that at least some of it will, since this sort of overhaul was probably years overdue. Zero Build hasn't really had enough of its own identity to have real gameplay balance in a mode that was designed for building.

Since there are a lot of changes coming to Zero Build BR in the May 14 update, let's go ahead and lay it all out there.

We spend lots of time with our controllers in hand, so you may as well choose one that pleases your senses. If your aesthetic is soft pastels, Target's sale on Hori's Wired Switch 2 controllers might be right up your alley. There are also several other controllers included in the sale, as well as a Hori Switch 2 Puff Pouch, which could likely also fit your original Switch if you haven't upgraded yet. And for those of you super serious about the time you clock in Mario Kart, the Racing Wheel Pro Mini is on sale too.

The pastel controllers and Mario Kart Racing Wheel are on sale until June 20, so you have some time to take advantage of these deals. Target does not specify how long the sale on the Zelda Horipad controller, wireless Horipad controller, and Hori Splitpad Compact will be discounted, so if you want those, we'd advise you take advantage of the reduced prices as soon as possible.

Hori's ever-reliable Horipad Turbo Switch 2 controller is a favorite for a reason--not only is it comfy to hold and has ultra-fast response time, but it's also much more affordable than Nintendo's $90 Switch 2 Pro Controller. Yes, it is wired, but that's a boon for those who prefer direct input to putting their trust in Bluetooth.

With programmable rear buttons, precision analog sticks, and Turbo settings, you can customize this controller to your liking. The sale includes three beautiful pastel colors, including Cozy Lavender, Cozy Green, and Cozy Pink.

If you're more of a Zelda fan than a pastels fan, this might be the perfect controller for you. The white front plate and gold back plate already make it stand apart from the crowd, but the gold buttons and Triforce insignia in the middle turn up the class. A handsome Link in action on the bottom right completes the look. Add in that it has those programmable rear buttons and Turbo settings, and it makes this controller pretty irresistible.

If you prefer your controllers wireless and don't mind dishing out a little more money, Target does have a deal on the blue wireless Horipad, saving you $16 off the regular price. With a 32-foot range and 15+ hours of battery life, this baby can keep you going throughout even your longest gaming sessions. It has a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so just plug it in with the included USB-C cable when you need a recharge.

If you've always wished that the Joy-Cons were a little curvier, Hori's Split Pad Compact might just change your life. These ergonomic replacements feel like a Pro controller but are designed for use in handheld mode, making the Switch much more comfortable for longplay sessions. It also has assignable rear triggers, Turbo functionality, and a D-pad. If the mint green isn't your style, there's also a Sonic the Hedgehog edition on sale for $61.

Both of these models are for the original Switch and the Switch OLED. Hori hasn't announced a Switch 2 version yet, but we'd wager that one is coming eventually.

Hori's signature Puff Pouch carrying case comes in lots of colors, but if you happen to love mint green, you can snag this one at a discount. The inside has a pocket with a velcro strap to secure your system, as well as an elastic strap built to hold your physical games. While the branding does say this case is for the Switch 2, we can't see any reason not to use it for the original Switch (or any other portable console around the same size).

Any longtime Mario Kart player knows that playing the game with a controller has its limitations. Leave those in the dust with Hori's officially licensed Mario Kart Racing Wheel, which is modeled off the design of real steering wheels and comes with pedals and onboard controls. It's a definite upgrade from Hori's Racing Wheel Attachment, which is still fun to use but can't quite capture the fun of having real pedals at your disposal.

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This year marks the 25th anniversary of the original Xbox, which was launched by Microsoft in 2001. The Xbox name has been used for every generation of the console that followed, with some disagreement about whether the word should be spelled out in all caps. Now, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is asking players how they spell it: "Xbox" or "XBOX"?

Sharma shared a poll on social media about the Xbox branding, and so far there's a clear favorite. "XBOX" is currently holding a comfortable lead over "Xbox" with approximately 63% of the vote at press time. Just over 7,000 fans have voted on X, but the poll will remain open until May 14.

Xbox or XBOX?

— Asha (@asha_shar) May 13, 2026

While the Xbox brand remains beloved by its most ardent fans, some players have called upon Sharma and her team to pull back from Microsoft's multiplatform strategy that has brought several formerly exclusive titles to PlayStation 5 and the Switch family. While Sharma has expressed a willingness to revisit the issue, Xbox games on PS5 reportedly made a staggering amount of money for Microsoft in 2025.

As part of Capcom's latest earnings briefing, the company disclosed how it's planning to implement generative AI into its work processes, and the short answer is the Resident Evil company sees a lot of potential.

On a slide labeled "growth strategy," Capcom said it will utilize AI to "improve development efficiency and productivity." It labeled AI as a "tool to streamline routine tasks" so developers can have more time to dedicate to "creative work."

Capcom said some of the areas of its business that can be made more efficient with AI include research, draft generation, user analysis, interactive manuals, error checks, and meeting notes. The aim is to implement AI systems for these "routine tasks" to free up time that can be invested in "true value creation" and creative work, Capcom said.

Marathon Season 2 will start June 2, bringing the first seasonal wipe to Bungie's extraction shooter and resetting the playing field.

Bungie revealed the news in its latest blog post, taking the time to further spell out what exactly will, and will not, carry over between seasons and what players can expect in the final few weeks of Season 1.

Come June 2, runner and ranked levels will be reset, as will faction levels and upgrades. All currencies (aside from premium ones like Lux and Silk) will be wiped, as will all the items in a player's vault. Additionally, schema unlocks and seasonal codex entries that reward gear based on runner level and ranked level will go away.

Forza Horizon 6 launches over the next week on Xbox Series X|S and PC, but the game is also headed to PlayStation 5--just not right away. Microsoft and developer Playground have not confirmed a specific release date for the PS5 edition, but the company has provided a window for when fans can expect it.

As announced during the Xbox Developer Direct event in January this year, Forza Horizon 6 is coming to PlayStation 5 "later in 2026." That doesn't tell us much, but it is at least confirmation that the racing game will head to Sony's console this year.

This means PS5 players will have to wait 230 days at the very most (that's May 15-December 31) to play Forza Horizon 6 after it launches on PC and Xbox. No one would expect the PS5 edition to launch on the last day of the year, so the wait will surely be shorter than that.

Around the middle of the year, the primary source of entertainment isn't a new Netflix series or a big-budget Hollywood movie, but rather a seemingly endless supply of video game showcases. Recently, we've seen the idea of dedicated livestreams expand further, with publishers and various gaming initiatives hosting them year-round. What that means is that you can look forward to digital events that'll keep you in the loop with all of the upcoming games on the horizon.

Whether they be from established gaming giants like Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo or smaller indie-focused livestreams like the Wholesome Direct, these typically follow the same format of unloading a bunch of trailers for new and upcoming games for you to enjoy at your leisure. Keeping track of all these broadcasts can be challenging, but to make things easier, you can scroll down below to see what's on the way. We're also keeping track of all the showcases that have already come and gone, so if you missed one, you can just click the link in each slide to watch the highlights.

We'll keep this list updated throughout the year, so you can check back often to see what else you can look forward to as soon as it's announced.

2026 video game showcases still to come

• Warhammer Skulls -- May 21
• Six One Indie Showcase -- May 21
• Summer Game Fest -- June 5
• Wholesome Direct -- June 6
• Future Games Show Summer Showcase -- June 6
• PC Gaming Show 2026 -- June 6
• Story Rich Showcase -- June 5-7
• Xbox Games Showcase -- June 7
• The Game Awards 2026 -- December 10

Warhammer Skulls -- May 21

A celebration of all things Warhammer, this year's Warhammer Skulls livestream will feature plenty of new reveals and announcements. Actor and director Alanah Pearce will host the event, and you can expect to see news from games like Space Marine 2, Darktide, Rogue Trader, Dark Heresy, Boltgun 2, Warhammer Survivors, Dawn of War IV, and more.

When to watch:

• May 21 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

Six One Indie Showcase -- May 21

Another one of the big livestreams for independent developers, the Six One Indie Showcase will be headlined by world premieres, digital showcase debuts, and exclusive news from studios all over the globe.

When to watch:

• May 21 (Time TBC)

Where to watch:

• YouTube

Summer Game Fest - June 5

Summer Game Fest 2026 will kick off this year from the Dolby Theatre, and showrunner Geoff Keighley has promised a "spectacular, cross-platform showcase of what's next in video games."

When to watch:

• June 5

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

Story Rich Showcase -- June 5-7

A brand-new video event dedicated entirely to story-rich indie games, the Story-Rich Showcase will take place within the Summer Game Fest period. The event will spotlight a lineup of 20-25 narrative-driven games, and viewers can expect first looks, new trailers, release dates, updates, and a few surprises.

When to watch:

• June 5-7

Where to watch:

• TBC

Wholesome Direct 2026 -- June 6

The Summer games showcase season wouldn't feel right without some cozy warmth, and that's where the Wholesome Direct steps in. The showcase for uplifting, joyful, and hopeful games, this year's livestream will feature a curated selection of over 50 games, including world premieres, demo announcements, and more.

When to watch:

• June 6 at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET

Where to Watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

Future Games Show Summer Showcase 2026 - June 6

Featuring world premieres, exclusive trailers, and stealth demo drops , this year's Future Games Show Summer Showcase will be followed by a live event in Los Angeles.

When to watch:

• June 6 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET

Where to watch:

• YouTube

PC Gaming Show 2026 - June 6

Back for another year, the PC Gaming Show will offer new looks at over 50 PC games, including world premieres, exclusive announcements, developer interviews, and updates.

When to watch:

• June 7 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET

Where to watch:

• YouTube

Xbox Games Showcase -- June 7

The annual Xbox Games Showcase is almost here, and this year is shaping up to be a big one for Microsoft's gaming division. Coming in hot after the launch of Forza Horizon 6, this year's Xbox Games Showcase will feature first gameplay looks and news on games from first-party studios, several reveals from third-party partners, and it'll be followed immediately by a deep dive into Gears of War: E-Day.

When to watch:

• June 7 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET

Where to Watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

The Game Awards 2026 -- December 10

Geoff Keighley has announced the date for The Game Awards 2026 almost an entire year in advance, and it'll be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. More details will be revealed later this year.

When to watch:

• December 10

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

In case you missed it

With so many video game showcases scheduled for 2026, there's a chance that you might miss one. Fret not, because we'll be keeping track of them, and you can keep browsing below to grab links to the original livestream and the stories we wrote about them. We've arranged the list according to the date that each event originally aired.

Resident Evil Showcase -- January 15

Capcom showed off more gameplay for Resident Evil Requiem, teasing thrilling survival-horror and action, creepy zombies, and one really big revolver.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Resident Evil Requiem Showcase Reveals Grace And Leon Gameplay Differences

Xbox Developer Direct -- January 22

The first big Xbox showcase of the year kept things short and sweet, focusing on games like Forza Horizon 6, Fable, Kiln, and Beast of Reincarnation.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Xbox Developer Direct 2026: All the announcements
• Forza Horizon 6 Channels Initial D-Inspired Anime Racing With Its New Mode
• Fable And Forza Horizon 6 Are Coming To PS5 To Help Reach The "Largest Number Of People Possible"
• Forza Horizon 6 Gets Official May Release Date, More Than 550 Cars
• Fable's New Open World Has 1,000+ NPCs As A "Living Population"
• New Fable Keeps Series Tradition Of Kicking Chickens Alive, And You'll Be Judged For It
• Fable Is Pulling Inspiration From An Unlikely (And Extremely Popular) TV Show
• Fable Releases This Autumn, Coming To PS5 At Launch
• Game Freak's Beast Of Reincarnation Team Is "Relatively Small" With Many External Developers
• Beast Of Reincarnation Doesn't Look Like Anything Game Freak Has Made Before
• Double Fine's New Game, Kiln, Features Pottery Battles To The Death

World of Warcraft: State of Azeroth -- January 29

The State of Azeroth livestream revealed what's next for World of Warcraft and Classic World of Warcraft, introduced Azeroth interiors for budding home decorators, and teased the launch of Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• What to expect from World of Warcraft in 2026

Nintendo Direct: Tomodachi Life -- January 29

One of the weirdest games coming out this year, Tomodachi Life is shaping up to be an interesting social-life sim.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Lets You Have A Love Square With A Clown Because Why Not?
• Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Adds Same-Sex Relationships And Non-Binary Miis
• Nintendo Places Image-Sharing Restrictions On "Certain" Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Features

Overwatch Spotlight -- February 4

A new era of Overwatch is upon us, as Blizzard is introducing some massive changes to the game. From dropping the "2" from its title to introducing several new heroes, Blizzard's popular hero shooter is being changed on a fundamental level as the company aims to transform it into a "Forever Game".

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Overwatch Is Dropping The 2 And Launching A New "Story-Driven Era"
• Overwatch Is Finally Getting A Cat Hero, A Decade After Inception
• Overwatch Is About To Reach Peak Cute With Sanrio Hello Kitty Collab
• Overwatch Director Says Upcoming Changes Will Upset The Game's Balance: "There's No Getting Around That"
• Yes, Overwatch Characters Have Been Getting Sexier, But Not For The Obvious Reason
• Overwatch Is Getting Five New Characters, Here's A First Look At What They Do
• Overwatch Kills Its First Character, But That Won't Stop You From Playing As Them
• Goodbye Overwatch 2, Hello Overwatch: The Story-Driven, "Forever Game" Blizzard Promised Is Finally Here
• Overwatch Team Is "Not Comfortable" Releasing AI-Generated Content, But Blizzard Is Open To Experimenting

Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase -- February 5

Nintendo's third-party partners were in the spotlight during a livestream dedicated to upcoming Switch and Switch 2 games.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Hits Switch 2 This June
• This Dinosaur Stealth Game On Switch 2 Lets Four Players Share Controls, For Whatever Reason
• A New Paranormasight Game Is Coming And I'm Begging You Not To Sleep On It Again
• This Game Looks Like If Split Fiction Were An 80s Anime And We’re Obsessed

Hearthstone Spotlight -- February 9

Another developer-led showcase, Blizzard revealed that Hearthstone will celebrate its 12th year with a new Core Set and a new expansion based on one of World of Warcraft's most iconic events.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

• Hearthstone's Next Expansion Cataclysm Coming March 17, Imagines If Deathwing Won
• Hearthstone Isn't Getting A Physical Trading Card Game Anytime Soon, Here's Why

Diablo 30th Anniversary Spotlight -- February 11

The Diablo franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and Blizzard revealed some big updates for current games in the franchise like Diablo 2, Diablo 4, and Diablo Immortal.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

• Diablo 4: Lord Of Hatred Puts Badass Amazons Front And Center
• If You Thought Diablo 4 Didn't Have Enough Skill Trees, You're In Luck
• Warlock Is Diablo's Newest Class, And It's Coming To (Almost) Every Diablo Game
• Diablo 4's Next Location Won't Be "Grotesque, Destroyed, And Ruined," And Its Devs Appreciate The Break
• How A Diablo 2 Game Manual Found New Purpose In Diablo 4's Latest Expansion
• Major Diablo 2 DLC Adds Features Fans Have Waited Decades For--But It'll Cost You

PlayStation State of Play -- February 12

The first State of Play from Sony kicked with an impressive hour-long presentation. Alongside Konami announcing the first new Castlevania game in many years and a port of Metal Gear Sold 4, the show also featured a first look at Ghost of Yotei's new multiplayer mode, the confirmation of a PC port for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and much more.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

• PlayStation State Of Play February 2026: All The Biggest Announcements And Games
• PlayStation Is Bringing Back An Unexpected Series With A New, Zelda-Like Spin
• Ghost of Yotei Becomes Legendary With New Multiplayer DLC Coming In March
• Death Stranding 2 PC Port Releases In March
• 4 Loop Has A Giant Rubik’s Cube Boss And Alien Berries That Teleport Enemies
• Here’s A First Look At Resident Evil Requiem’s Raccoon City Police Department Decades After RE2
• New Legacy Of Kain Game Revealed, And It’s Out Next Month
• A New Dead Or Alive Game Is In The Works
• Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition Includes Five Versions Of Game, Interactive Documentary
• Metal Gear Solid 4 And Peace Walker Coming As Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2
• New Castlevania Game Is Coming From The Dead Cells And Rogue Prince Of Persia Devs
• Silent Hill: Townfall Shifts First-Person Survival To New Town
• John Wick Is Getting A 3D Action Game, Lets You Murder Gangsters With Household Objects
• Marathon Open Beta Announced, Coming Very Soon With Special Perks For PS Plus Members
• New PlayStation Plus Games Revealed, Including Day-One Release For All Subscribers
• Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Is Building A Packed Roster, New Trailer Shows
• God Of War Trilogy Remake Announced, Brings Back Original Voice Actor
• Sony Reveals New God Of War Sidescroller, And It’s Out Right Now

Silent Hill Transmission -- February 12

Konami's Silent Hill Transmission livestream wasn't too long, but it did reveal that the next game is expanding into first-person survival horror. Set in the Scottish seaside town of St. Amelia, protagonist Simon Ordell will have to use a handheld portable TV to detect the monsters around him. The game is being developed by Scottish team Screen Burn, who previously produced Stories Untold and Observation.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Silent Hill: Townfall Shifts First-Person Survival Horror To New Town

Convergence Showcase -- February 19

A two-hour show hosted by indie-focused streamers Dodger and Jesse Cox, the Convergence Showcase featured dozens of indie and AA games.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

Black Voices in Gaming Showcase -- February 19

An event that aims to address the lack of visibility for Black creators, the Black Voices in Gaming Showcase showed off games at various stages of development--from early concepts to near-launch titles--and also celebrated creativity, culture, and innovation in games.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

• The Biggest Games From February's Black Voices In Gaming Showcase

Indie Fan Fest -- February 19

The second Indie Fan Fest presented new game reveals, world premiere trailers, and more for unreleased games. Even better, several of these games now have demos that you can check out

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

• Suddenly, There Are 14 New Games You Can Try For Free

Pokemon Presents -- February 27

While this year's Pokemon Day livestream mostly focused on mobile games, it did end with a bang as we got our first look at Pokemon Winds and Waves.

Where to watch:

YouTube

All the news:

• GameCube's Pokemon XD: Gale Of Darkness Will Appear On Switch 2 Soon
• Pokemon Winds And Waves, The 10th Generation Of Pokemon, Officially Revealed
• The Wait For Pokemon Winds And Waves Will Be The Franchise's Longest Yet
• Those Pikachus In The Pokemon Winds And Waves Trailer Are More Important Than You Think

Nintendo Indie World Showcase -- March 3

Like previous broadcasts, the March 2026 Indie World Showcase was dedicated to all the indie games headed to Switch consoles soon.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

• Nintendo Indie World March 2026 Showcase: All The Biggest Announcements

Capcom Spotlight -- March 5

Hot off the success of Resident Evil Requiem, Capcom kept the momentum going with a closer look at Pragmata, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and several more upcoming games.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

Future Games Show: Spring Showcase -- March 12

The first of three Future Games Show events planned for 2026, the Future Games Show Spring Showcase offered exclusive trailers and developer deep-dives on a wide range of video games.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

Xbox Partner Preview - March 26

The Xbox Partner Preview lifted the lid on what several publishers like Sega, GSC Game World, and Owlcat Games have been cooking up lately, and there were also a few new Xbox Game Pass announcements to spice things up during the broadcast.

Where to watch:

• YouTube
• Twitch

All the news:

Xbox Partner Preview 2026: All The Big Announcements

Triple-I Initiative - April 9

The Triple-I Initiative returned for its third year, dropping dozens of new game reveals across its 45-minute runtime. Big highlights for this year included fresh looks at games like Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse and Dead as Disco.

Where to watch:

• YouTube

All the news:

Triple-I Initiative Showcase 2026: Castlevania, Dead As Disco, And Every Game Shown

Galaxies Spring Showcase 2026 - April 16

With a rock-solid hour of announcements and world premieres, the Galaxies Spring 2026 Showcase was a fun livestream featuring dozens of indie games. Highlights included a new gameplay breakdown on Directive 8020, a first look at ReVamp from the developers of Moonlighter, and the announcement of a crossover between Alan Wake 2 and Phasmophobia.

Where to watch:

YouTube

The Xbox team is continuing its mission to win back fans by implementing some tiny but noteworthy additions and improvements to the Xbox Series X|S interface--and some in the Xbox Insider program can check them out starting today.

Last week, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared the console's new bootup animation, which select Xbox Insiders can now witness for themselves at startup. The animation emphasizes the Xbox signature color of green a lot more, though the sound is similar to what users are accustomed to.

Enthusiastic achievement hunters might enjoy some new vanity badges that will show up on their profile and the Xbox Guide. These are tiered badges that "evolve" as your Gamerscore increases. These come after Xbox Achievements got a visual refresh through updated icons and animations.

Arc Raiders is moving to a new update cadence that will see Embark Studios making larger updates to the game "every six months or so," executive producer Aleksander Grondal told GameSpot in a recent interview. The game's first six months have been hugely successful, with Grondal admitting the team was "a bit caught off guard" by the attention the game received from players and, in turn, the demands the studio faced early on.

"It's a luxury problem, right?" Grondal said. "It's not something to complain about. In that sense, it was, of course, great, but also getting this amount of eyes on your game also puts a lot of attention on some of the problems that the game is having. [It] kind of got a little bit in our way, to be honest with you, because we were kind of focusing on what was next, and we had to spend quite a lot of time with some technical things that we had to deal with. And, I mean, that's the right call, obviously. That's not the point. I think we were a bit caught off guard.

"When we shipped the game, we had this idea that we wanted to do monthly content updates, which is a pretty ambitious plan, to be honest with you. We're not the largest team in the world, so we really work hard to get something out," Grondal continued. "Then we ran out of some of the [early] initiatives that we did, and now we had to work on a month-to-month cadence, which means, practically speaking, there's not that much production time on the features for the things we're doing. Putting out content updates every month, I think the ambition was great to keep people engaged and interested. I think, though--and the community and the players are telling us the same--that they feel like some of these updates aren't really hitting the mark in terms of what they want, in terms of impact. And we as a team feel that as well, but we're not really able to take our ideas all the way through what we want them to be and also [determine] how they can drive the most meaningful impact to the players. So this cadence has kind of worked a bit against us to some degree."

After the massive hit that was Stardew Valley, the game's creator, Eric "ConcerdApe" Barone, is hard at work on Haunted Chocolatier. A game about creating sweet treats, running a confectionery store, and pursuing romance, Barone says that the game won't just be larger in scope than Stardew Valley; it'll also be darker and more unsettling than his breakout hit.

"It's way bigger than Stardew Valley, at least in terms of the amount of maps, the amount of monsters, the depth to the whole item system, and all the equipment slots and all the stuff like this. Everything is cranked up," Barone said to Game Informer, while also detailing how the game allows him to craft an experience with a "darker" theme and atmosphere. He's not aiming to develop a full-blown horror game, but Haunted Chocolatier does have an unsettling vibe.

"The ghosts, the haunted nature, the castle, allow for a lot of interesting, creative things that I can do that are kind of creepy, like not totally horrifying, but maybe slightly, you know, creepy stuff," Barone said.

Sony has revealed the latest games coming to the Game Catalog for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers in May. All of these games will be available starting May 19:

• Star Wars Outlaws (PS5)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4)
• Bramble: The Mountain King (PS5, PS4)
• The Thaumaturge (PS5)
• Flintlock: the Siege of Dawn (PS5)
• Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templar - Reforged (PS5, PS4)
• Enotria: The Last Song (PS5, PS4)
• Time Crisis (PS5) | PS Plus Premium required

The big draw this month is Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws. An open-world adventure in which players play as the quick-thinking--and quick-shooting--Kay Vess, Outlaws benefited from several free post-launch updates that transformed it into an exciting Star Wars adventure.

Red Dead Redemption 2 makes its way back to the Game Catalog this month, and in case you missed it the first time, it's still an immersive open-world experience set in the dying days of the Old West. Red Dead Redemption 2 also includes Red Dead Online, so once you're done playing the lengthy campaign, you can try out some multiplayer fun.

Microsoft and developer Playground have announced the launch times for Forza Horizon 6, confirming precisely when players will be able to start their engines.

As announced previously, Forza Horizon 6 will launch first for people who pay more on May 15 before everyone can get in on May 19. The game releases at 12:01 AM local time, and that's for both the PC version on Steam and the console edition for Xbox Series X|S. The game, which takes place in Japan, is coming to PS5, but not until later in the year.

To play Forza Horizon 6 as soon as possible, you need to buy the game's $120 Premium Edition or the $60 upgrade bundle. Forza Horizon 6 is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, but that version does not release until May 19. However, Game Pass members who don't want to wait can buy the Premium Edition upgrade to get started on May 15.

Pokemon Winds and Waves launches next year, and to ease the wait, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have released a new behind-the-scenes video highlighting a crucial part of the game's identity: its soundtrack.

As Pokemon games have grown in scope, so too have the production standards for them, and for Pokemon Winds and Waves, a full orchestra was brought in to record the main theme. This session with the Tokyo-based NHK Symphony Orchestra was recorded, with the video below showing off just how many musicians were involved with this single piece of the new Pokemon soundtrack. Incorporating strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, the end result was a classical--but stirring--take on the traditional Pokemon theme that was used to reveal the new mainline game earlier this year.

While it starts off with a new selection of music that sets the tone for the trailer, it isn't long before the iconic Pokemon theme takes over. First composed for the original Pokemon games in 1996 by Junichi Masuda, the theme has been remixed and reinterpreted over the years, but its core sound has remained intact--much like the Star Wars or Legend of Zelda themes.

The Last of Us writer and showrunner Craig Mazin has further discussed the upcoming third season of HBO's The Last of Us, saying in an interview that the series aims to force viewers to reconcile the fact that the characters they care about and cheer for are not completely good people.

"It is a question of perspective and narrative. It's a very powerful thing to be given a story that gives you a hero and that makes your side good," Mazin told The Hollywood Reporter. "That is fundamental to most religions--and it is fundamental to most politics now. It creates a tribalism. It's 'us versus them,' and it happens very, very quickly. What I loved about the story of the game, which is in line with what I am pursuing on the show, is that it is not that simple."

Mazin went on to say that he's trying to make viewers feel for the characters, despite some of their flaws. He said Kaitlyn Dever--who plays Abby--is an asset to The Last of Us thanks to her acting chops.

It turns out that Fortnite's long-rumored collaboration with Overwatch is real after all, and four characters from Blizzard's hero shooter will pop up in the Fortnite item shop on the morning of Thursday, May 14. Fortnite will go offline on Wednesday night for an update, and the Overwatch gang should be in the shop when the game comes back online.

The main thrust of the collab will be new gameplay items and the Sandy Strip on the Battle Royale map will apparently be getting a new themed area. We don't have a lot of specific details about the gameplay part of the collab just yet, though you can try to glean some info from the cinematic teaser above if you like.

What we do know is that the collab will include four player skins based on Overwatch characters--specifically Tracer, D.Va, Genji, and Mercy--as well as a set of accessories, which includes several emotes and a glider. The whole set will be sold as individual items and in a single large bundle. We don't know any prices yet, but judging by how much stuff it'll come with, it's possible this will be the most expensive Fortnite bundle ever. The current record-holder is the Solo Leveling bundle, which cost 4,500 for three skins and their accessories.

In March, Nintendo reportedly received letters about bombs being planted at its headquarters in Kyoto, Japan, with one message stating: “I’m going to blow you all up.” The man charged with committing these crimes has now been arrested, per KTV News and translated by Automaton.

Koto police reportedly apprehended the 27-year-old man yesterday, May 12, for obstruction of business. Apparently, at one point, he claimed to have "planted multiple bombs," though none were found when authorities searched Nintendo's headquarters in March. It's been reported that the man has admitted to the charges brought against him.

This isn't the first time that Nintendo has had to deal with threats for its business or employees. In December 2023, the company canceled a two-day Nintendo Live 2024 event in Tokyo as well as a Splatoon championship because of "persistent threats," according to the Associated Press.

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has stressed how vital it is for the company to keep driving sales of Switch 1 games, even though the Switch 2 has come to market.

During the company's latest earnings briefing, Furukawa said, "I believe it is important that we consider how to expand the entire software business, including titles for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2." He said Nintendo should take this approach as opposed to "focusing only on sales of Nintendo Switch 2 software."

Furukawa said this in response to a question about the slowed sales of Switch 2-exclusive Mario Kart World after the company discontinued the hardware bundle that included the game. The executive said Mario Kart World remains an "important title" for Nintendo and that he expects it to continue to sell throughout the lifecycle of the Switch 2.

The Steam Controller has been on the mind of PC gamers recently, and for good reason: it's a very impressive device--though, like many viral tech products, it's currently very hard to get. Those who have been able to get a hold of the device have been quite pleased with the end product, however. They've been putting their new controllers through all the rigors of gaming--which, we assume, also means accidentally dropping them, because that would explain how a very goofy easter egg was discovered.

When you're using Steam in Big Picture mode, the Steam Controller will, when dropped from a height of roughly three feet, randomly play the famous Wilhelm Scream from its speakers. The Wilhelm Scream is one of the most recognizable sound effects in existence, and its inclusion (and randomized playback) on the device demonstrates that the Valve engineers aren't just clever designers: they are very, very silly.

But every good news story requires some research and verification, so GameSpot's own Erick Tay decided to confirm the rumor by giving the Steam Controller some good tosses (into soft pillows, of course). The result--the iconic SFX we know and love after a few tries. If you want to see this hidden feature for yourself, we recommend a similarly cushioned controlled environment, rather than spiking it off the floor in a fit of rage.

Earlier this month, Grand Theft Auto 6 hit another milestone: it’s now been a year since the last trailer. Fans are getting impatient and have started tagging Rockstar North on Google Maps to voice their frustration.

Several frustrated GTA fans have started leaving bad reviews for Rockstar North specifically over the lack of fresh details about its most anticipated title. Google Maps seemingly allows anyone to do this without having to travel all the way to Rockstar North in Scotland.

Those aren't the only fans who are a little antsy. On Reddit (via Kotaku), one player read the proverbial tea leaves by attempting to analyze the foot traffic of a cafe located near Rockstar to predict the date of the next trailer. This fan theory suggests that an uptick in the cafe's customers might coincide with a trailer drop. So far, it has not.

Things really aren't looking good for Gang of Dragon, the Yakuza spiritual successor from former Sega and RGG Studios bigwig Toshihiro Nagoshi's eponymous Nagoshi Studio. Between reports of publisher NetEase pulling financial backing and the studio's YouTube channel vanishing-then-reappearing quietly in a seeming "no worries, everything is fine here" moment, fans eager to see more of Gang of Dragon after its The Game Awards debut last year have been feeling an ever-creeping dread about the game's fate. Today the title had yet another very big, very visible setback ... or rather, not-so-visible, because as of the time of writing, Nagoshi Studio's website is completely offline.

Of course, there could be completely innocuous explanations for this--it's the internet, and websites go down all the time for a variety of reasons--but given the circumstances, it's difficult to assume everything is a-ok in Gang of Dragon-land. News about the game, aside from the reports of its funding woes, has completely dried up, and there's been no reports of anyone swooping in to fund or acquire Nagoshi Studio in a valiant rescue. That's not to say that it couldn't happen, but all the signs point to Gang of Dragon--and its developer--vanishing without a trace (besides what's left on the Internet Archive.)

At least with Stranger than Heaven's recent reveal, Yakuza series fans still have something concrete with similar vibes to look forward to. As for Gang of Dragon, though, the only thing concrete about its fate seems to be cement shoes.

Housemarque's Saros launched earlier this month to rave reviews, and it's a legitimate frontrunner for Game of the Year at this early point in 2026. However, it appears sales of the game have thus far been slower than its predecessor, Returnal, and the game may struggle to recoup its budget.

That's according to Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics, who estimates Saros sold approximately 300,000 copies in its first two weeks on sale. This figure is a little behind Returnal, a very similar game that was released much earlier in the PS5's lifecycle. Saros is the first game developed by Housemarque since the studio was acquired by Sony, having operated independently and primarily developed games for PlayStation systems in the years prior.

Thus far, a huge percentage of Saros players have previously played Returnal--Alinea estimates it at 79%--and about one-third of the game's sales thus far were during the early-access period.

Veteran game developer Ken Levine stepped away from the BioShock series after 2013's BioShock Infinite, and while the series is going ahead with BioShock 4, it's doing so without him. Why did Levine step away to work on a different game, Judas, instead of sticking with the series he created?

Speaking to IGN, Levine said BioShock remains "very important" to him and that he feels "incredibly fortunate" to have worked on a franchise that means so much to so many people. However, he opted to step away in part because he "didn't have a lot else to say in that world." He also reflected on how working on established franchises can be something of a trap.

"A franchise is an interesting thing because it can come to own you if you're not careful. It can define you. It was scary and risky and crazy to walk away from a very successful franchise. I didn't [walk away] because I didn't love the franchise," he said. "I wanted to step away and challenge myself in a different way, and challenge a team in a different way. Things can own you if you hold them too tightly rather than the other way around. I will always love [BioShock] and I can't wait to see what they do with it."

Are you planning to save all characters in Directive 8020? The latest entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology takes you to the far future straight into the realm of sci-fi. As a group of explorers attempts to enter Tau Ceti F, strange incidents start to occur. Soon, their interstellar journey turns into a nightmare in the void of space.

Our Directive 8020 guide has numerous tips to help you keep your characters alive in your playthrough, but there are some caveats:

• This guide is based on our full playthrough where we recount key choices that we made across all eight episodes/chapters in the campaign.
• There are multiple playable and non-playable characters listed below. That said, certain deaths are truly unavoidable as they're pivotal parts of the story.
  • For the introductory chapter, you've got Carter as a playable character, while Simms is an NPC.
  • There are five playable characters for the rest of the campaign: Stafford, Young, Eisele, Cernan, and Cooper.
  • Three are non-playable: Mitchell, Anders, and Williams.
• The Turning Point feature is an expansive system that lets you rewind back to previous scenes and segments, including ones where you make crucial decisions. It's somewhat akin to the Cutting Room Floor feature seen in The Casting of Frank Stone.
• If you're playing on Explorer Mode, then you can rewind via the Turning Point menu whenever you wish. Conversely, if you're playing on Survivor Mode, then the Turning Point menu is only unlocked upon beating the game.
• As you can expect given the topic, this article contains major spoilers.

Episode 1: Little Star

There are a few important steps that you need to take to avoid onscreen deaths during Episode 1:

• Meet the Oracle: Early in the campaign while playing as Carter, you can choose to meet the Oracle AI and authorize the systems reboot.
• Disaster: As Carter and Simms go for a spacewalk, be ready to pass the quick-time event (QTE) sequence so you can catch Simms.
• Chased: Ensure that Simms doesn't catch Carter.

Note: If you didn't authorize the Oracle's systems reboot, there will be a button-mash QTE sequence before you're able to enter the Crew Monitoring area as Carter.

Episode 2: Best Laid Plans

If you want to save all characters in Directive 8020, then you should consider a particular decision in Episode 2. It involves the terminal in Power Games:

• Power Games:
  • Deactivating the Landing Computer may affect Stafford's fate later on. Deactivating the Fire Control System, meanwhile, affects Mitchell's survival.
  • We recommend disabling the Landing Computer for this part.
• Suspicions: When Eisele chats with Stafford, choose to "Accuse" and "Contemplate." Stafford will give Eisele a word of advice.
• Pursuit and Decompression: These are both stealth sections. Steer clear of Simms, "Plead" with her at the airlock, and make your escape.

Episode 3: The Sample - Part 1

For this part, we're going to take a look at Cernan's and Stafford's segments in Episode 3:

• No Games: Make it to the Control Room as Cernan without getting spotted.
• Crash: As Stafford, fix the Landing Computer and pass all the QTE button prompts so he can go back to his seat.

Note: If Stafford attempts to fix the computer but he's unable to get back to his seat, he'll die at this stage.

Episode 3: The Sample - Part 2

This next part concerns Williams and the drugs administered by Cooper and Anders. Cernan also has a short conversation here with Cooper.

• Rude Awakening: Quickly press the button prompt to inject Williams while he's in his pod.
• Eternal Flame: When Cernan chats with Cooper, choose to "Confide" in her.
• Search: Near the end of the chapter, make sure that Cooper finds Carter's utility strap to hear his last message.

Episode 4: Dragnet

None of your characters can die in this chapter, but you still need to reach certain outcomes:

• Overwatch and Going Up: Cooper and Anders have to evade the hostile crew member.
• Loaded Question: Stafford will ask Eisele to authorize the use of a firearm.
  • You should "Refuse" when prompted.
  • This option becomes available if you were able to avoid Simms in Episode 1 and you also found Carter's utility strap in Chapter 4.
• Drawbridge and Fight: Do your best as Young to escape the assailant.

Episode 5: Mr. Williams - Part 1

For this part, we're going to talk about Cooper, Anders, and Williams again:

• Waste Management: At the start of this chapter, you play as Eisele and you have to avoid an enemy as you attempt to power up the reactor.
• Suspicions: Throughout the campaign, you should keep improving Cooper's Playful trait. This leads to The Rogue outcome.
• The Experiment:
  • As Cooper, complete the lab puzzle by inputting "1-6-8" as a code.
  • While talking to Anders, choose "Consider," "Approve," then "Question."
• Broadcast: Because of the above steps, Anders should sedate Williams during this chapter.

Episode 5: Mr. Williams - Part 2

Now comes another crucial decision if you want to keep all characters alive in Directive 8020. Hostiles will sabotage the ship during a section called Under Pressure. You then take control of Young, and you have to decide if you should save Anders in the Medical Complex or Mitchell in Fuel Junction 4.

• Save Anders - Choose this option if you disabled the Landing Computer earlier in Episode 2.
  • To save Anders, you must unlock a door using the repair tool/rod. She'll be in good condition at the very least.
  • If you fail this minigame, Cooper will swoop in to save Anders. She'll survive, but she'll be injured due to the extreme cold.
  • If you disabled the Fire Control System and you choose to save Anders here, Mitchell is guaranteed to die.
• Save Mitchell - Choose this option if you disabled the Fire Control System earlier in Episode 2.
  • Young will rescue Mitchell, so no worries there.
  • Cooper, as mentioned, will help Anders, though the latter will be injured.
• Backup: Later in the chapter when Stafford asks for aid, choose to volunteer as Eisele. Don't suggest Cernan.

Episode 6: Hostile Takeover - Part 1

This chapter has several potential deaths for our heroes:

• Close Encounter: As Stafford/Eisele, stealthily make your way across the dark room and escape using the ladder.
• Point Blank: Stafford will aim his gun at Williams.
  • Choose to "Stand Down." Do not "Shoot" Williams here.
  • The biometric analysis reveals the sedative that Cooper and Anders used on Williams earlier, proving that he's not a hostile creature.

Episode 6: Hostile Takeover - Part 2

After a few wrap-up scenes, Stafford will tell the group to go through the scanner. Eventually, Eisele's doppelganger shows up and you have to make a decision:

• Choose the "Test" response. The "newcomer" will tell Stafford about the word of advice that he gave in Chapter 2.
• Choose to "Shoot Eisele"--i.e. the doppelganger.

Note: At the conclusion of this chapter, the group talks about their course of action. Will you warn the crew of the Andromeda about the perils that you've faced, or will you send a distress call hoping that you'll be rescued? As far as we can tell, this decision does not affect the survival of characters.

Episode 7: Revelation

The group makes a short trek on the surface, though they still need to return to the ship:

• Search Party: You'll need to look for the real Anders here. At the last fork, go to the right to spot a cave with stalactites. You'll see Anders a short distance away.
• Pod Room, Geoscience, and The Hunt: You control Young and Cernan here. Do not get caught by the enemies in these areas.

Episode 8: Come True - Part 1

We're at the home stretch now. There are a few important tidbits to remember if you want all characters to survive in Directive 8020:

• Second Chances: Since Williams is still alive, you can take him with you or leave him behind. Choose the "Order" response.
• Redirect, Atrium, Mess Hall, and Reactor: All of these areas have QTE or running sequences. Be careful so you don't mess up.
• Snap Decision: Once of your crewmates will get grabbed by a tentacle. Quickly help them before they're consumed.

Note: Around this time, you might see a Turning Point portion called The Way Back. This is when you'll be able to unlock the Curator and O Death collectibles.

Episode 8: Come True - Part 2

This occurs during the Knock Knock segment. In our playthrough, we were controlling Cooper. We had to decide if we should let Mitchell in or if it's too risky in case he's a doppelganger:

• Save - Choose to save Mitchell here since he's the real.
• Abandon - Mitchell will get swarmed and killed here.

Episode 8: Come True - Part 3

These are part of Return of the Beast and succeeding segments. Basically, you'll take control of one character after another, and they all need to successfully pass the QTEs. Failure here could mean the death of that individual or the demise of several others in the group. Once you're done with this segment, that's it, your characters will fly away from the facility.

That does it for our guide on how to keep all characters alive in Directive 8020. We hope you ensure everyone's survival throughout this harrowing journey. Oh, and if you're keen on learning about other mysteries, then you might want to unlock the Curator's cutscene and collectibles, too.

Are you wondering about how to unlock the Curator in Directive 8020? This mysterious being has been part of The Dark Pictures Anthology, often appearing just before the untimely demise of characters. While he still heralds the impending doom of this game's protagonists, Supermassive has changed up how he makes his presence known. This time, you have to actively search for him by way of collectibles known as O Death secrets. The studio did this as a memorial of sorts to the actor, Tony Pankhurst, who sadly passed away in May 2024.

This time, the studio has also hidden away the next Dark Pictures teaser behind this extra step too, rather than putting it at the end of the credits as normal. For those two reasons, you'll want to seek out the O Death collectibles, and here's how.

Note: This article contains spoilers. If you're also keen on keeping your characters safe, then you can have a look at our everyone survives walkthrough.

The Way Back

To unlock the Curator in Directive 8020, you must play through the campaign until you reach Episode 8: Come True:

• Progress through the game normally until you're able to purge the elevator shaft. After a cutscene, the objective should change to "Get to the Hangar."
• Immediately to your right, you'll see a receptacle that's missing a Power Cell. If you walk a bit further down the corridor, you'll see a Power Cell that you can use. Slot that in and go through the crawlspace.
• There's an environmental puzzle of sorts that you need to complete in the succeeding areas. Basically, you have to activate switches (i.e. R2 or RT button on a PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, respectively) and redirect power by scanning hidden wires on the wall (i.e. Square or X button on a PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, respectively).
• Continue onward as you pass through server rooms and squeeze through narrow gaps. Eventually, you'll find a Simms' Recording and your first O Death secret.

O Death secret #1: This Doesn't Belong Here

• Episode 8: Come True - The Way Back
• Character: Variable depending on who's still alive
• Location: Found on the ground near the terminal with the Simms' Recording.

Note 1: Upon picking up your first O Death secret in Directive 8020, the screen will flicker briefly. There will also be a short cutscene showing the Curator's desk. You'll then be told that other O Death secrets have appeared in various sections of the campaign. You can use the Turning Point system to rewind back to those segments.

Note 2: There are five O Death secrets, including this one. Even if you haven't found all of them, the Curator will start showing up during moments where a character might meet their demise.

O Death secret #2: The Man in the Bowler Hat

• Episode 1: Little Star - Medical
• Character: Carter
• Location: Lift the lockdown as Carter. The datapad is on the floor by the station. Pick it up before going through the door that triggers the spacewalk segment.

O Death secret #3: Paranoia

• Episode 3: The Sample - Search
• Character: Cooper
• Location: There's a new terminal that you can interact with to the left of the food and drinks machines in the Mess Hall.

O Death secret #4: O_DTH

• Episode 5: Mr. Williams - Radio Silence
• Character: Cernan
• Location: This Directive 8020 O Death secret is at the left-hand side of the corridor that leads to the cockpit.

O Death secret #5: Bloodlines

• Episode 5: Mr. Williams - Radio Silence
• Character: Cernan
• Location: Leave the bridge and ride the elevator to the upper deck. Circle around the hallway and go up the steps to the Crew Lounge. It's on the bench just before the door.

What do you unlock after finding all O Death secrets?

Once you've found all five O Death secrets in Directive 8020, the full cutscene showing the Curator's return will play. You may also rewatch it via the Bonus Content panel in the main menu. Speaking of which, it's also where you'll be able to watch the teaser trailer for the next game in The Dark Pictures Anthology.

That does it for our guide on how to unlock the Curator in Directive 8020. If you want your characters to survive the whole ordeal, then we suggest taking a look at our everyone survives walkthrough.

Deadzone: Rogue 2 has officially been announced by developer Prophecy Games, with the studio promising a sharper follow-up to the 2025 roguelite first-person shooter. Prophecy Games says that the core gunplay and foundation of the original game have been kept intact, but it's aiming to deliver an experience that's deeper, more flexible, and feels more rewarding to master. A demo for Deadzone: Rogue 2 will also go live in June 2026 on PC, showcasing how the sequel has evolved the concepts of the first game.

As for those changes, Prophecy Games added that Deadzone: Rogue 2 will feature an expanded progression system that gives players greater control and build variety across various abilities, weapons, and run modifiers. New zones and environments will be introduced, and an expanded collection of enemies and bosses will keep players on their toes in the heat of battle.

The "core feel" of Deadzone's gunplay will remain intact, but Prophecy Games says that it has been "refined and sharpened" across the board.

Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has revealed a new look at Season 8: Sins of Alchemax for the free-to-play game, showing off iconic X-Men leader Cyclops in action, as well as a tease for the fan-favorite characters Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Kicking off on May 15, Season 8 revolves around the sinister Alchemax corporation, which was responsible for the recent Time Plague in Lower Manhattan. The devastating outbreak was contained, but with Alchemax responsible for it and still standing defiant, players will have to team up to take down the company before it's too late.

The big surprise in the trailer is that Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur appear in a prominent role. One of the smartest characters in the Marvel Universe, Moon Girl AKA Lunella Lafayette shares a mental link with Devil Dinosaur, who is usually depicted as a crimson-skinned dinosaur that resembles a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Devil Dinosaur will join the game this season, serving a Vanguard role built around raw, savage power. The hero can tear the opposition to shreds, is equipped with a shield, and attacks with primal bites to inflict a continuous bleeding effect on targets. Whenever he smashes through defenses, Devil Dinosaur's aggression will increase, and he can clamp down on enemies to instantly take them out. For his Ultimate Ability, Devil Dinosaur becomes unstoppable and can charge forward to mercilessly trample anyone caught in his path of destruction.

One of the best-known Call of Duty developers, David Vonderhaar, is making a new game that is "not a Call of Duty killer" but is instead something that sounds quite different.

It will be a shooter, but Vonderhaar told Bloomberg it's "definitely not" another military simulation-type game. Instead, people can think of it as "if David Lynch made shooters."

Players will work together to fight environmental challenges and also each other, the report said, suggesting it will be some type of PvPvE game.

Casey Hudson, the gaming industry veteran who is leading the team making Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, has commented on AI, saying he finds it to be "creatively soulless."

He said this in an interview with Bloomberg, adding, "It's hard to imagine where it's actually helpful in the process. I'm just really unimpressed with it."

Presumably Hudson is referring to generative AI, which has been the hot-button topic as of late, but whatever the case, he is clearly not enthusiastic about the technology for Fate of the Old Republic.

The ambiguous Super Game project from Sega--which planned to incorporate NFTs, social networking, and cloud streaming--has been canned. The company behind Sonic the Hedgehog bluntly stated that it "decided to cancel" the game in its fiscal 2026 results presentation. This comes almost five years exactly after the original announcement of the Super Game in 2021.

A handful of classic franchise reboots are still in the works, however. Sega is still listing Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, and Streets of Rage as upcoming games, though without a specific release date. These four projects were first unveiled at The Game Awards in 2023. A new Shinobi was also part of that reveal, and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance arrived last year.

Leave it to @sega to blow our minds with 5 NEW GAMES in one trailer! This is Sega Power Surge! #TheGameAwards pic.twitter.com/O0an9RbWxm

— The Game Awards (@thegameawards) December 8, 2023

In 2024, Sega teased an open world for Crazy Taxi, mixed with MMO elements. The setting is supposedly based on California. The series began in 1999 with Crazy Taxi for arcades, with a Dreamcast release in 2000. The last game in the franchise was a spin-off for mobile platforms released in 2017 called Crazy Taxi Tycoon.

A Connecticut man has been sentenced to six years in federal prison on charges that he was in possession of meth pills shaped like Mario the video game character.

33-year-old Ronnell Rogers was sentenced on Monday, May 11 to 72 months in prison and three years of supervised release for distributing fentanyl and for violating terms of parole from a previous federal conviction.

Season 3's new Warlords: Supremacy update is live in Battlefield 6 and Redsec. This update adds the Railway to Golmud multiplayer map, a brand-new battle pass, three new guns, and additional attachments. In this guide, we'll show you how to complete the Warlords: Supremacy challenges and unlock all the new loadout gear for Battlefield 6.

Just like past seasons, Season 3 will roll out in three phases. This first season is called Warlords: Supremacy, and this initial phase will include the M16A4 assault rifle, RPK-74M light machine gun, and the L115 sniper rifle as the three new guns. For new attachments, the update introduces the Speed Holster, Aftermarket Buffer, and Burst Mode.

You don't need to purchase the Season 3 battle pass to earn any of the weapons or attachments included, but it's worth noting that you receive a 10% XP boost with the $10 standard battle pass purchase and a 15% XP boost for the $25 Pro version of the pass.

GameStop's ambitious plan to purchase eBay has been officially rejected by the online auction marketplace. The company raised several concerns, with its primary one being how GameStop would plan to fund its proposal to purchase eBay for $56 billion--especially when GameStop itself only has $9.4 billion in assets.

The eBay board of directors ultimately decided that GameStop's proposal was neither "credible nor attractive," citing that the company in its current setup is more than capable of delivering "long-term value" for its shareholders. Essentially, eBay is doing just fine business-wise and doesn't need to entertain a buyout offer from GameStop.

"We have taken into account such factors as 1) eBay's standalone prospects, 2) the uncertainty regarding your financing proposal, 3) the impact of your proposal on eBay's long-term growth and profitability, 4) the leverage, operational risks, and leadership structure of a combined entity, 5) the resulting implications of these factors on valuation, and 6) GameStop's governance and executive incentives," eBay chairman Paul Pressler wrote in response to GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen's offer.

It's official: Switch 2 consoles are going to become $50 more expensive as of September. Even with the price hike, Nintendo says the new MSRP still won't cover all the costs involved in producing a Switch 2.

"We sincerely apologize to our customers for the considerable inconvenience and trouble this will cause," Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa said during the company's recent financial results presentation (via a Nintendo Patents Watch translation). "While we wanted to prioritize a wide adoption, it was challenging to bear the rising costs over a long period. The [new] pricing does not fully account for all cost increases."

Like almost all hardware in 2026, Nintendo is facing a perfect storm of conditions that has forced its hand. The ongoing shortage of crucial components, a weaker yen, and rising oil prices have all contributed toward making tech more expensive. Furukawa added that the higher price may create an additional barrier to entry, but Nintendo is confident that a "robust software line-up" will help "enhance the Switch 2 ownership value" for consumers. Once September arrives, a Switch 2 will increase from $450 to $500 in the US.

The first Sinking City was an ambitious swing for developer Frogwares. It was open-world, featured a massive, flooded city to explore, had loads of side quests, and made an--albeit flawed--attempt at third-person horror action. All of that wove together with the studio's signature detective-mystery roots to make an experience that wasn't very good, but was at least worth trying or paying attention to.

Before The Sinking City, Frogwares had iterated on the deduction mechanics of the detective genre one Sherlock Holmes game at a time, sprinkling in influences from other genres along the way, from open-ended exploration in Crimes and Punishment, to light combat with The Devil's Daughter. But neither were as stark in genre shift or as daring in scale as The Sinking City--even if those bold decisions were to the game's own detriment.

The Sinking City 2, on the other hand, is not as ambitious. Instead of aiming for the same heights as the first game and Sherlock Holmes: Chapter One, Frogwares has whittled The Sinking City 2 down into a genre more safely suited for its Lovecraftian Psychological roots: survival horror. And, yes, that makes sense, but while the first Sinking City has its share of blemishes for its stiff combat and underbaked open world, I had a soft spot for its earnest ambitions. It was clear the studio had aimed for something higher, even if it couldn't quite reach it.

Crimson Desert has been a huge hit since it arrived in March, and unsurprisingly, developer Pearl Abyss is looking to capitalize on it with post-launch content. The company outlined plans for the game as part of its quarterly financial performance update, while also revealing that the game made an impressive $180 million in revenue. In comparison, Black Desert Online brought in $40 million during that same quarter, and Pearl Abyss wants to keep the momentum going.

"Crimson Desert will continue to focus on enhancing user satisfaction and driving new sales through continuous updates, while expanding its market presence through platform expansion," Pearl Abyss said in its earnings letter. "In addition, we are currently exploring various ways to broaden the game to the next level, including DLC. We will share the details once the concrete plans are set."

It has only been two months since Crimson Desert launched, but the game has already shifted a massive 5 million units across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S in its first 26 days. While Pearl Abyss does expect to sell fewer copies from now on, it still expects the game to sell consistently well throughout the year. As for the studio's other projects--DokeV and Plan 8--these are still in development, and Pearl Abyss is aiming to release a new game every two to three years.

Phasmophobia's next event is unlike any before it, because it's the first to involve a crossover with another franchise. The "Phasmophobia by Alan Wake" event runs for three weeks, beginning today, May 12, and includes the game's debut of unlockable skins, modeled after the main characters of Remedy Entertainment's Alan Wake 2: Alan himself and FBI agent Saga Anderson.

During the Phasmophobia by Alan Wake event, four of the game's maps have been reimagined to suit the Alan Wake world, including touches that are inspired by Alan Wake 2 locations and events. Included in that limited-time map overhaul are the newest of them, Nell's Diner, as well as both of the farmhouses and Camp Woodwind. Like in Remedy's own games, you'll be seeking out pages from Alan Wake's writings and interacting with some of the game's enemies, including cultists in deer masks, though the game will still fundamentally feel like Phasmophobia, so it doesn't "introduce any confusion for players," Kinetic director of marketing and partnerships Asim Tanvir told me.

New challenges will guide you through the event, and you'll use new items taken right out of Remedy's game, such as Alan's angel lamp. Perhaps most exciting of all, if you're coming to the event as a fan of Alan Wake, is that its story was written by Remedy's creative director, Sam Lake, and will feature narration from Alan Wake's voice actor, Matthew Poretta.

Adi Shankar has had success in adapting video games into animation, having worked on multiple seasons of Castlevania alongside Konami and Netflix, as well as with Ubisoft for Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix. More recently, he has been collaborating with Capcom on Devil May Cry, the first season of which launched on Netflix in 2025 to a largely favorable reception.

Now, with its second season, Shankar and team are delving deeper into the story of Dante and Vergil, as the two characters come to grips with their origins, the divergent paths their lives took following a family tragedy, and how their two perspectives shape them and the fate of a world that hangs in the balance. It also embraces Devil May Cry 2, the video game series' most divisive entry.

Of course, with as much experience as Shankar has in taking video game source material and adapting it for animation, we would be remiss not to get his perspective on the latest high-profile announcement of a similar project: Sony's adaptation of From Software's Bloodborne.

Mixtape boldly asks its players to make memories to good music, mixing its coming-of-age story with a head-banging soundtrack filled with the likes of Devo, The Smashing Pumpkins, and The Jesus and Mary Chain. It’s the sophomore release from Beethoven & Dinosaur, an Australian developer known for The Artful Escape, a psychedelic exploration of a musician wanting to create his stage persona.

Mixtape is a little more down to earth, following music lovers Stacey, Cass, and Slater on Stacey’s final night in their small town before she follows her dreams and moves to New York. Our reviewer Mark Delaney gave it a 9/10, praising how the game pairs “its heartfelt, often hilarious moments with a sweeping soundtrack to create a coming-of-age story I'll never forget.” GameSpot caught up with Mixtape’s director Johnny Galvatron earlier this year to discuss Beethoven & Dinosaur’s approach to making the game.

GameSpot: Do you always think in songs?

After years of wandering the depths of Planet 4546B alone, players can finally team up with their friends in Subnautica 2. The developers at Unknown Worlds Entertainment designed the new entry in the famed survival franchise with co-op at the forefront following an outcry of player feedback from the previous two games.

However, knowing that Subnautica 2 has co-op is only half the battle, as you also have to know how it works and its limitations. Below, we'll give you a full rundown of the co-op multiplayer feature in Subnautica 2 so you can hop in with friends right away.

Subnautica 2 has a maximum co-op limit of four players, meaning you and up to three other friends can play in the same party at one time. Fortunately, Subnautica 2 also has full cross-play support, meaning you can play with any friend on PC or Xbox. The game also supports cross-progression if you happen to own two systems and purchase two copies.

Hollywood writer Jeremy Slater is back in the news with Mortal Kombat 2, which is in theaters now. He wrote the 2021 movie as well and is nearly done with a second draft for Mortal Kombat 3. But what else is he keen to do in the future? There is one franchise above all others that he wants to get to work on some day: Star Wars.

He told The Hollywood Reporter that he has already taken meetings with Lucasfilm, and he admitted he "nerded out to an embarrassing degree." He hasn't landed anything yet, though, and he said he wouldn't want to sign on to a Star Wars project unless he felt like he could do it justice.

"Star Wars has always been my white whale. It's always been the one thing that I've been chasing above all else, but I also don't want to take a job unless I can deliver," he said. "I can't think of anything more depressing and terrifying than getting your shot at Star Wars and then dropping the ball."

Mortal Kombat 2 is in theaters now and it's making millions at the box office, but will there be a third entry in the new series based on the popular video game franchise? A report said Mortal Kombat writer Jeremy Slater was coming back for a third movie, but it has not been confirmed.

For his part, director Simon McQuoid said in an interview prior to Mortal Kombat 2's release on May 8 that he doesn't want to be "overly confident" about a possible third movie. Slater, meanwhile, said he's nearly finished with a new draft for a third movie's script, should New Line decide to greenlight it.

"I never want to be cocky about how anything's going to land or play. You think about it, and you theorize it," he told Entertainment Weekly.

Breaking Bad and Westworld actor Aaron Paul is joining Prime Video's Fallout TV show for its upcoming third season, the streamer has announced.

There is no word yet on the character that Paul will play on the show. It's not the first time he's worked with Fallout producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. He starred in Season 3 of Westworld, which Nolan and Joy produced.

Season 3 is rumored to head to New Vegas, so it could be a full circle moment for Paul. As some may recall, Paul attended the Fallout: New Vegas launch party in 2010, and the images are fantastic. According to Nolan, Paul is a big fan of the Fallout TV show.

Video games and pro wrestling have long had a symbiotic relationship, with many performers incorporating elements from their favorite games into their personas, movesets, and ring gear. For a brief time, current WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes displayed the iconic Triforce symbol from The Legend of Zelda on his boots, but according to the American Nightmare, a cease and desist letter from Nintendo saw him retire that symbol from his costume.

"I thought the principles of the Triforce--which are power, courage, and wisdom. I thought it was just applicable," Rhodes said to fellow superstar Kit Wilson in an episode of WWE's What Do You Wanna Talk About podcast. "I also got a cease and desist from Nintendo. It was very kind."

Rhodes also bears a Triforce tattoo on his finger, but Nintendo likely won't be requesting him to remove some of his flesh as it's too small to see on TV. Like many other wrestlers, Rhodes is a noted gamer, and he'll be appearing in the live-action Street Fighter movie later this year as William F. Guile, goofy haircut and all.

The newly released Mortal Kombat 2 movie features numerous characters from the popular fighting game series--including Johnny Cage, Kitana, Sonya Blade, and Shao Kahn--and it could have had even more.

Screenwriter Jeremy Slater told GamesRadar that Tremor was "almost" included in the movie, with the character meant to fight Sonya Blade and ultimately meet his end. However, Slater said Tremor "just wasn't working," so he was cut in the scripting process.

"I've always liked Tremor and he's got really fun, really cool powers," Slater said. Those powers include "geokinetic" abilities that allow him to control rocks and metals.

Fortnite developers are exploring how to use AI systems to potentially make games more efficiently, but it's not being done with the ambition of replacing human workers, according to an Epic employee. Stephanie Arnett, who is a senior external development manager at the company, said recently that Epic has been "exploring different AI tooling that we can use to help support our games."

Speaking at a Gamescom Latam panel attended by GamesRadar, Arnett went on to say she understands that "everyone's biggest fear" is that "AI is going to take all our jobs."

"That's not our goal. The goal is to make us more efficient," she said, offering up an example that, with the use of AI, developers might be able to complete tasks more quickly. She did not give specifics, but said Epic's experimentation with AI so far has included work "in the art realm as well."

In the underappreciated 2008 comedy Role Models, Christopher Mintz-Plasse's character, the exceedingly nerdy Augie, is asked if he likes Coca-Cola. "I like the idea of it more than I actually like it," he answers.

I always found it a funny, confusing answer, but this fifth entry in The Dark Pictures horror anthology, with its grating performances, rote stealth sequences, and signs of an aging formula, makes me realize I can relate; I like the idea of this anthology more than I actually like playing its games.

In Directive 8020, developer Supermassive Games takes us to outer space for the first time in the series. Following stories focused on a cursed shipwreck, New England witchcraft, monster-infested caves, and a modern slasher inspired by H.H. Holmes, the latest one-off title is heavily inspired by two giants of its genre: Alien and John Carpenter's The Thing. A crew of heroes-to-be surveys a potential new home planet for humanity, Tau Ceti f, before a disaster leaves them stranded on it with an alien organism that can steal organic likenesses, such as human faces and bodies.

If you've been around long enough, you remember the days of wired controllers with ultra-short cords (ahem, Nintendo) and sitting on the floor to play until looking up at the screen gave you a neckache. Luckily, these days wireless controllers are the norm, but the one downfall to that is that they use batteries that need to be replaced periodically. That's where the Batteries Plus sale running through May will come in extra-handy--not to mention it comes with a super cool perk.

When you purchase either one or two 24-packs of Energizer Max batteries from BatteriesPlus between today and May 31, you'll save $5 and $12 respectively. The 12-pack, normally $20.99, is on sale for $15.99, and buying two takes the price down from $41.98 to $32.50 (after tax is added). That means you won't have to think about buying new batteries for your controllers for a long time, which is great if you rely on them for long gaming sessions. You can also have you order shipped or pick it up from a local store, making it easy to get these for when you need them.

As great as it is to save money, this sale comes with something extra that makes it special. BatteriesPlus is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation for the second year in a row, so when you buy one of these deals, BatteriesPlus will donate $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation to go towards planting a tree (and that's per pack, so if you buy two, that's two trees). In 2025, the same sale helped the Arbor Day Foundation plant 37,203 trees in Oregon as a part of the Bootleg Fire Restoration and Resilience Project. As the Bootleg Fire of 2021 destroyed over 413,000 acres of forest in the Klamath Falls Basin, this is care the area desperately needed -- and just by buying batteries, everyday consumers were able to contribute significantly to restoring it. Species such as Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Western larch, and white fir were planted, which play a crucial role in rebuilding the forest canopy where bald eagles nest.

Stellar Blade developer Shift Up is making a few changes with how it releases the next game in its third-person action series. As revealed in its latest earnings report, Stellar Blade 2 won't be published by Sony, as the company is headed into self-publishing territory.

"Development of the next Stellar Blade title is progressing smoothly, on track to meet our targeted quality standards," the studio said in an update, confirming that details on the game will be revealed "within" this year. "Starting with this next title, Shift Up will transition to a first-party service model. This will allow us to lead marketing strategies that fully reflect the distinctive identity of the Stellar Blade IP, and we expect to communicate the unique appeal of its universe to players more directly and effectively."

Shift Up added that details on its next flagship title, Project Spirits, will also be revealed later this year. What does this mean for the sequel? It's worth noting that the first Stellar Blade was a timed exclusive for PS5 when it was released in 2024, and its PC port arrived in 2025. While the game sold well on PS5, PC is where Stellar Blade took off, selling 1 million units in just its first three days. It's estimated that 6.1 million copies have been sold as of January 2026, with more than half of the game's player base being based in China.

There's a new name on the way for My Nintendo Store, the online site where people can purchase digital Switch and Switch 2 games, buy accessories, as well as redeem rewards with Platinum Points. Starting May 27, the official moniker will be Nintendo Store, according to Nintendo of America on X. Basically, the video game company is mimicking the meme from The Social Network movie, in which Justin Timberlake's character tells Mark Zuckerberg to drop "The" from "The Facebook," because "it's cleaner."

To be clear, other than the name change, everything else will stay the same for the online shop. Intriguingly, Nintendo launched the Nintendo Store app in November without the "My," so this branding alteration was seemingly telegraphed for roughly half-a-year. Additionally, most people probably never mentioned the "My" in everyday conversation; more likely is that the digital storefront is referred to as the eShop by longtime Nintendo fans.

On May 27, My Nintendo Store will change its name to Nintendo Store. There will be no changes to the content of the service.https://t.co/FTEKCKh7Ob pic.twitter.com/diALEEmjJJ

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 11, 2026

Last week, Nintendo released fiscal-year financial info, such as a lower-than-expected Switch 2 hardware sales forecast for the upcoming business year and price hike for the hybrid console. The stock market hasn't been too kind to Nintendo in response.

The popular mobile game Wordle is becoming a primetime TV show, with participants basically playing the game together in person with the hope of taking home a cash prize. The show will air on NBC, with popular Today Show broadcaster Savannah Guthrie serving as the host.

The Wordle TV show will film in Manchester, England and is set to premiere on NBC in prime time beginning in 2027, The New York Times--which owns Wordle--announced today. The New York Times will co-produce the half-hour show, which is said to feature the game's well-known typeface and color scheme. As rumored, NBC host Jimmy Fallon will be an executive producer on the Wordle show.

Production on the Wordle TV show was set to begin sooner but was delayed after Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy, disappeared in February this year. Guthrie returned to her Today Show hosting duties in April and her mother is still missing.

Microsoft is once again shaking up its Xbox Game Pass service, with drastic changes announced in April 2026 that included a price decrease and the confirmation that new Call of Duty games will no longer launch into the service. Then in May 2026, Microsoft and Discord revealed a new Starter Edition of Xbox Game Pass. If you're looking to join the service or upgrade your current membership, here's everything you need to know about what each Game Pass tier gets you.

• What is Xbox Game Pass?

Introduced several years ago, Game Pass is a subscription service that offers access to a library of first-party games from Microsoft and even more third-party titles. This a comprehensive collection of games across a wide selection of genres, and it can be accessed on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and through the cloud on compatible devices like phones and tablets.

Games come and go on the service--with additions and removals normally happening twice per month--but the key draw to Game Pass is that you'll get access to the biggest Xbox games on launch day. Or at least that was one of the key selling points. One of Microsoft's biggest franchises, Call of Duty, is no longer going to have its new releases launch into the service (more on that later).