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The rest of July and early part of August will see some big hitters join Xbox Game Pass, chief among them Halo: Campaign Evolved. As a first-party Microsoft game, Halo: Campaign Evolved is a day one Game Pass launch (Call of Duty is the exception). You’ll find it via Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on July 28. Also day one on Game Pass is Beast of Reincarnation, a brand new game from Pokémon developer Game Freak. It launches on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on August 4. Other day one launches include online co-op detective horror game Shift at Midnight (July 22), and dark fantasy extraction ARPG Mistfall Hunter (July 30). The full list of games, courtesy of Xbox Wire, is below. Xbox Game Pass July 2026 Wave 2 lineup:Shift at Midnight (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 22, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassHell is Us (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 23, Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game PassHalo: Campaign Evolved (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – July 28, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassMistfall Hunter (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – July 30, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassCorsair Cove (PC) – July 31, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game PassHeretic + Hexen (Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC) – August 4, Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass Beast of Reincarnation (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 4, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass As usual, a number of games leave Game Pass this month. You can buy them at a discount while they’re still in the subscription service. Leaving Xbox Game Pass July 31:Back to the Dawn (Cloud, Console, and PC)Celeste (Cloud, Console, and PC)Crusader Kings 3 (Cloud, Console, and PC)Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord (Cloud, Console, and PC)My Friendly Neighborhood (Cloud, Console, and PC)Rain World (Cloud, Console, and PC)Sniper Elite Resistance (Cloud, Console, and PC)Whiskerwood (PC) Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at *****@*****.tld. View the full article

With the news that Call of Duty, of all things, is getting adapted into a movie by the director of Battleship—and it's unfortunately set in the Modern Warfare universe—I got vivid flashbacks to the series' last attempt in multimedia... Read more.View the full article

We'll be getting our first look at The Witcher 3's upcoming expansion, Songs of the Past, during Gamescom 2026, CD Projekt Red has confirmed. Not only will Songs of the Past be showcased to the public for anyone actually attending Gamescom in Cologne, Germany next month in the form of a "guided presentation," but Geoff Keighley's big Opening Night Live stream on August 25 will see "new information" about the expansion revealed, a press release confirms. Let's face it, it wouldn't take much to provide us with any new information – all we really know about the expansion – not DLC, CD Projekt Red insists – is that it sounds like it'll be pretty substantial, The Witcher 1 remake studio Fool's Theory is working alongside CDPR on it, and it'll be out next year. We've not actually seen any footage yet, just a nice new image of Geralt, so any glimpse here would be welcome. The expansion had been rumored for months before its announcement, but it was still quite a surprise to find out it actually exists. After all, The Witcher 3 is now over a decade old, and it's been over 10 years since its last expansion, Blood and Wine, too. Not only that, but The Witcher 4 has been announced, and while that doesn't yet have a release date, it's fair to say that we're not going to be starved of The Witcher content before long – we even have that remake of the first game on the way. Certainly no one is complaining, though. With Songs of the Past's launch set for 2027, I'd be surprised if we saw an exact release date at Gamescom unless it's planned to arrive early in the year. Regardless, though, it'll be very exciting to have a proper look at it – mark those calendars. Former Witcher 3 director has just "one request" for CD Projekt Red as it finalizes Songs of the Past expansion. [/url]View the full article

After a year of component shortages, demand squeezes, and rising prices it's refreshing to be able to talk about the tech that could well bring the best gaming laptop prices down over the next few years, and it's all in the display. The Lenovo Legion R9000P took to market last week, offering the world's first Inkjet-Printed OLED display on a gaming laptop. The 240Hz panel sits atop the more premium rig, but it's not the sharpness, speed, or vibrancy we're talking about here. Instead, it's the manufacturing process that has fans like me excited. How does Inkjet-Printed OLED manufacturing work? OLED panels are typically produced using a Vacuum Thermal Evaporation process, in which the materials used to form the light-emitting diodes of the display itself are funnelled through a vacuum chamber and splattered over the top of a 'fine metal mask' to make sure all their red, green, and blue parts end up in the correct places. It's expensive and wastes a lot of material in the process, part of the reason OLED machines still command a higher price tag. Instead, TCL CSOT's been working up to mass produced Inkjet-Printed OLEDs, most recently kickstarting its Gen 5.5 production line in 2024. What does that mean for you and me? The technology, in its barest terms, swaps that evaporated material for a liquid one. Lenovo's cheapest OLED (Image credit: Future) This isn't the first time the brand has been working at bringing OLED rigs further down the price scale, though. The existing Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 was remarkably cheap for a gaming laptop with an OLED display last year, even if it suffered from a little glare as a result. Lenovo Legion 5 (RTX 5060) | $1,449.99 (was $1,599.99) at Best Buy Rather than wasting materials on a fine metal mask (like a stencil for layering the right parts over a glass substrate panel), Inkjet-Printed OLED manufacturing combines these materials into a soluble solution that is instead precisely positioned exactly where it needs to be. In its most basic terms, it's like printing a picture rather than spray painting over a cut-out. The result is a much cheaper manufacturing process that Omdia estimated would cut "OLED notebook panel manufacturing costs by approximately 30 to 35%" earlier this year. We'll take anything we can get at a time like this. For now, Lenovo's R9000P is generally stuck in the ******** market but often make their way over to the West in the form of the Legion 5 Pro line. See all gaming laptop deals at Best Buy I'm also getting my hands on all the best Asus gaming laptops as well as the best Razer laptops and best Alienware laptops on the market. [/url]View the full article

The Witcher 3's upcoming Songs of the Past story expansion is officially getting its first trailer on August 25. Geoff Keighley, the well-known creator and host of both The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest, has just confirmed that The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past will be shown during Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. View the full article

If you want your SteamOS Linux machine like the Steam Deck or Steam Machine to automatically boot into Desktop Mode - that is actually possible. Read the full article here: [Hidden Content] View the full article

Newly formed independent ***-based studio When Tides Turn has officially revealed Wreckreation 2, an open-world arcade racing game where, according to a press release, “every slam, every shortcut, and every takedown can change the outcome. Every race is a battle, where victory isn’t just about finding the fastest line, but reading your rivals, taking risks, seizing opportunities, and choosing the perfect moment to deliver the perfect takedown.” Each race unfolds differently, creating battles that last from the first corner to the finish line. Wreckreation 2 is being developed in collaboration with its growing community, who are helping shape everything from vehicle handling and progression systems to events and world design. Wreckreation 2 is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a launch date to be announced at a later time. Wreckreation 2 aims to bring back the thrill of arcade racers. Set within a dense city built specifically for high-octane driving as players speed throughout urban districts, docks, and a sprawling airport. The game combines “intense arcade action, evolving vehicles, player creativity, and the physical, contact-heavy driving experiences that arcade racing fans love.” [Hidden Content] The project marks the debut of When Tides Turn, a newly formed studio comprised of industry veterans responsible for some of the genre’s most beloved arcade driving experiences. Built around a community-first development philosophy, the studio is working directly with players to help deliver the ultimate modern arcade driving game. “Over the last six months we’ve been talking directly to players about what they want from a modern arcade driving game, and Wreckreation 2 is the result of those conversations,” said Fiona Sperry, studio head at When Tides Turn, in the press release. “From handling and progression to events and world design, our community has already helped shape key aspects of the experience. We’re building this game with the players, not just for them.” While speed, control, and progression sit at the heart of the experience, players will also encounter aggressive rivals, spectacular crashes, and intense moments of vehicular conflict that help create the memorable stories arcade racing fans enjoy sharing. Robust creative tools will further allow players to build, customize, and share their own routes, events, and challenges as development continues. To stay updated on the development of Wreckreation 2 and secure a spot in upcoming beta tests, players can visit the official Steam store page today. Wishlisting the game will provide access to future community updates, playtest opportunities, and development news as the project evolves. The post When Tides Turn unveils open-world arcade racer Wreckreation 2 appeared first on GamesBeat. View the full article

I was a late bloomer to Fallout. I saw it aplenty in the magazines during the late 1990s, but it wasn't until a year after Fallout 3's 2008 release that I loaded it into my PlayStation 3 console, and it became my late Game of the Year. Playing a title that was a mix of first-person shooter and RPG genres was a new feeling for me; the feeling of awe was something I hadn't felt since I first played Half-Life in 2000. Like all my favorite games, I purposely stop playing them for a long while to maintain that feeling of surprise and joy each time I return. Metal Gear Solid 2, Half-Life 2, and Tomb Raider are a few of these titles for me, and Fallout 3 quickly joined their ranks. But as the years passed, it became harder to play the game. I didn't own an Xbox, and my PC was out of action. Thanks to Crossover, a macOS app that lets me play a bunch of Windows games on my Mac, I can play Fallout 3 again – but as a day one Switch 2 owner, I've been dying to play it on my new Nintendo console. That dream might actually become a reality now that a Fallout 3 remaster has been officially confirmed by Bethesda. New Nuka Cola, but with a Switch 2 taste (Image credit: Bethesda) Features creepers (Image credit: Bethesda) Fallout 3 had "the opposite of feature creep" because Bethesda devs "were really smart about cutting things" I've loved owning a Switch 2 since its June 2025 launch. The previous model was also a day-one buy, and could always be found in my backpack. The same applies to the latest console. Now I can play my existing games with a glossier finish, as well as new games that couldn't run on the original Switch. But while it's been fun to play Street Fighter 6, Kirby Air Riders, and plenty of the other best Switch 2 games out there already, I'm dying to know whether the Fallout 3 remaster will make the jump. I know I could wait for Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, which is already confirmed for Switch 2. But I've always preferred the third entry to to 2015's Fallout 4 due to the graphics and the RPG elements and will accept no substitute. It's July 2026, more than a year on since the Switch 2 debuted, and up until Bethesda revealed the official remaster alongside an update on Fallout 5, I'd been wondering why Nintendo hadn't delivered its own Fallout 3 port yet. Now that the remaster is officially in the works, there's little need for a Switch 2 port – if the Fallout 3 remaster launches on the console at all, that is. I hope it does; it would be a match made in radioactive heaven. Liberty Prime with an extra shine (Image credit: Bethesda Softworks) It's time for Fallout 3 to join the Switch 2 party If the Fallout 3 remaster did make its way to Switch 2, I'd love to see features like less loading times, more NPCs across the open wasteland, and, as a treat, a redesigned inventory system that uses the Switch 2's touchscreen. Combining it with a fresh coat of paint that’s similar to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered could be a great way to lessen one of the few pain points I've always had with Fallout 3. I've found the method of arranging every bit of loot to be a cumbersome process. But just having it ready to play on-the-go via my Nintendo handheld, regardless of having that option available now via Steam Deck, sounds incredibly enticing to me. With the sim-spinoff Fallout Shelter having been available on Nintendo Switch consoles since 2018, Fallout 3 seems primed for the platform. We're in an era where there's a Fallout TV series as well, which still feels surreal. It's really good, too, and with its second season having wrapped up in early February, it feels like the stars are aligning for the Fallout 3 remaster to come to Switch 2. As I'm reaching the four-year mark since I last played Fallout 3, I'd love to go back into the world again on my Switch 2 instead of having to carry my Mac around for the pleasure. By all means, I'd do it anyway. But to help my back and my Mac's battery life, it'd be great if Bethesda sees my plight and adds it to the voices. It's time for Fallout 3 to join the Switch 2 party – I'll bring the Nuka-Cola. Check out the best Fallout games of all time, from spinoffs to mainline entries. [/url]View the full article

Before today, Glorious was known for its gaming keyboards and had only tested the best gaming headset waters with its wired GHS Eternal and GHS Eternal RGB headsets. For its second release, the brand has gone with a more high-end approach with the new Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay, which includes its InfinitePlay battery tech - a pair of two swappable batteries that can be charged on the pair's 'Base Station' accessory. The $229.99 / £229.99 headset feels inspired by the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless with its battery tech, and yet it's far cheaper than its muse. Not to mention, it's one of the rare pairs that bundles dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz audio into the mix, which is typically reserved for headsets closer to the $300 price mark. Yet, while it provides a wealth of high-end features in a cheaper package, the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay doesn't quite hit the mark as the best alternative to its swappable-battery friends. Key specs Price $229.99 / £229.99 Acoustic design Over-ear, closed back Connection Bluetooth, USB Wired, 2.4GHz wireless Drivers Angled 40 mm Custom-tuned drivers Frequency response 20 Hz - 20 kHz Microphone Omnidirectional detachable mic ANC No Controls Left rotary knob and button, mic mute button, right rotary knob and button, Bluetooth button Battery 85+ hours per battery Weight 360g Compatibility PC, PS5/PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, MobileDesign (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) For the brand's first wireless headset, I was expecting something that looked and felt more premium. That's not to say that I find the GHS InfinitePlay entirely repugnant, as I'm pretty privy to the curvature of its oval-shaped earcups and the sprinkling of orange popping out from the headband and the interior of the earcup cushions, but this headset feels pretty cheap once you have it in your hands. The all-****** plastic chassis doesn't feel sturdy and instead gives 'my first headset' vibes. At 360g, it's not too lightweight or anything, but there's an essence of cheapness that oozes from the pair. I should mention that during the almost a month I've had it in my possession, no part of it has broken or so much as chipped off, and I'm pretty clumsy. It's held up really well, and yet holding the pair by the plastic headband doesn't instill a lot of confidence that that will remain the case in the years to come. (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) One of my biggest icks for the headset is down to that right earcup. You have to put up with seeing the butt of the orange and gray battery pack sticking from it at all times. While other headsets like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless or the Stealth Pro II have their batteries entirely hidden from view, Glorious chose to have it on display 24/7, and I'm not personally a fan. I think it doesn't help that the battery packs have an odd look to them. They're long, gray, and remind me of the battery of my old 3310 Nokia phone. On the positive side of things, its bottom half being permanently out in the open means you can swap it out without having to take the headset off, something that's a pretty difficult feat on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni despite it being one of the best pairs I've tested to date. Features (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) While I have grievances with the look of the headset and its swappable batteries, I'm a fan of its up to 85-hour playback. The entirety of the headset's name is built around its impressive lifespan and the compact InfinitePlay Base Station included with the pair. Basically, this small square-shaped device is both a wireless 2.4GHz receiver and a charging station. While you have one battery within the headset itself, you can keep the other juiced up in the device. Glorious also included some little details in the Base Station that made me really appreciative on the accessibility side of things. (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) The 2.4GHz wireless dongle includes a small orange loop at the end, to make pulling it from the Base Station an easy feat. There's also a small rubber orange stopper on the underside which can be removed for what I assume to be cable management. As you've likely guessed, the butt of the additional battery also hangs out the bottom of the Base Station so you can easily push and pull it away when you need it. While other charging docks are large and obtrusive to your desk space, this thing is really small and an ideal addition for those with little to no desk real estate. It can connect to your PC, PS5, or Switch 2 via an included USB-C cable, and a USB-A to USB-C adapter has been included in the box. Talking of connectivity options, you've also got wired and dual Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless at your fingertips with this pair. You can toggle between them by pressing the source and Bluetooth selection button found on the right ear cup. It also plays host to a rotary knob that controls the volume and media controls, meanwhile, the rotary knob on the left cup powers the headset on and off and allows you to switch between profiles. There's also a mic mute button, which sits underneath it on the left side. Performance (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) Testing the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset was a weird experience, in that it was so quiet that I had difficulty entirely making out what its angled 40 mm custom-tuned drivers were truly capable of. At first, I thought it was a PS5 problem. Some headsets can be quiet on the console, as the 3D Audio settings can dampen the volume, but no matter how much tinkering I did, things remained on the quiet side. At least I can confirm this wasn't just a me problem, as during testing Glorious sent out an email noting they were aware of the issue and that it was "due to EU regulations," so hopefully a firmware update is on its way to help. In the meantime, that still left me with a quiet pair and not much I could do about it. Though I could at least make out that the headset offers up a pretty evenly-leveled sound for its low, mid, and high range frequencies. I first tested the pair while playing Jaws Retro Rewind, an updated re-release of the 8-bit game based on the classic (and my personal favorite) '70s blockbuster. There's only around 3-4 tracks in the entire game, but the soundwaves for each track sounded nice and clear. With the pair set as high as it was capable of, there was no compression or warbling to the sound, even within the deepest bassy chiptune tones, and this carried over to titles like Doom Eternal and Marvel Rivals. The only distortion that was audible in Mick Gordon's fantastic metal Doom Eternal score was found exactly where you'd want it to be, in the score itself. The riveting soundtrack that continues to unlock the inner metal fan within me at every listen sounded fantastic as I was crawling up broken elevator walls and blasting fire into zombie soldiers' faces, though I did yearn for it to be louder throughout the entirety of testing. It was a similar case with Marvel Rivals too, where while things were still too much on the quiet side for my liking, I still enjoyed what I could hear - and there were no audio disturbances or issues. Y'know, besides having to focus extra hard to make out the nearing Ultimate calls by enemy team members. (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) On PC, I naturally had a better time with things, as this headset seems more equipped for desktop. It was sadly still quiet, and even my quick tips and tricks for boosting the volume on Windows didn't do the trick. But it was at least a little louder than on PS5, which is what I was hoping for. On its default out-of-the-box settings, I rolled up our usual testing games of choice, starting first with Counter-Strike 2. Just like on PS5, everything sounded evenly leveled, even including the typically very loud bullet sound effects. The sounds normally make me jump out of my seat as they always seem to be given more emphasis than any other sounds in the game, but the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay naturally mixed them nicely together. Running Glorious Core, the brand's proprietary software, opened up more options to bring the audio to life. It didn't make things louder, as the 'volume booster' toggle was unfortunately disabled and strangely marked as "coming soon". Yet it did allow me to select from a list of pre-made audio presets, including one specifically designed for my favorite team-based hero shooter, Marvel Rivals. During matches, I didn't notice a huge difference whether it was on or off, unfortunately. Not enough that I'd want to ensure it's selected every time I boot up the game. Though it did help moderately boost the sound of footsteps of characters that often like to flank me down (looking at you Spider-Man players), which was helpful. However, it would likely be even more helpful had the volume been better - the real crutch of why I'm not hugely on board with this headset. Season 9's infectious bassy beat on start-up at least sounded far nicer on PC through the cups. (Image credit: Future/Glorious) During the entirety of my testing time, there was no moment when either battery pack started to drain, even when I got too caught up in the latest Marvel Rivals update. However, I wish it did naturally, as the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay has a neat feature in that the headset holds up to 3 hours of battery should you need it. I put this in practice with Marvel Rivals and removed the battery pack (which you can do without removing the headset), and just as advertised, the headset still remained on as normal. I can't really foresee this being needed, given that up to 85 hours per battery pack should be plenty for most players, but it's a neat inclusion nonetheless. [/url] I was also impressed by the pair's microphone quality, despite despising the design of it. Its ***** arm is a rigid piece of unadjustable plastic. That meant that whenever I was playing Marvel Rivals or Counter-Strike 2, the mic was also hanging in my peripheral vision, and I could do nothing about it. At least it sounded pretty great, which is the most important part. As you can hear from the voice sample above, it adds a natural warmth to your voice that I didn't quite expect. This was on its complete default settings too, and with Glorious Core you can up the volume, add side-tone, and toggle unwanted noise pickup via its 'environment noise cancellation' on and off. Should you buy the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset? (Image credit: Future/Rosalie Newcombe) The Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay is focused on its swappable battery tech experience at a cheaper price point than its pricier rivals, and there's no arguing against the fact that it achieves just that. Like our current best headset pick, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni, you're getting two swappable batteries that provide up to 85 hours of playback. Not only that, but you only have to spend $229.99 / £229.99 for the privilege of no longer having to fuss around finding charging cables, instead of the $399.99 / £349.99 of the SteelSeries alternative. If that was all anyone was concerned about, I'd be fine recommending this headset instead. However, an impressive battery is only a plus if it comes in a pair that's actually worth having on your head for multiple hours at a time, and I don't feel that with Glorious's first wireless pair. It's a comfortable headset, but its quiet sound, cheap-feeling form factor, and unattractive design make me feel far more comfortable recommending alternatives like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II or even the older SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless. Especially as the latter, as of writing, is far more regularly on ***** and even dropped as low as $249.99 during July 2026, only a $20 difference, and yet it still provides one of the best (and perfectly loud) sounds on a headset to this day, and an accompanying Base Station that allows you to connect to multiple devices at once. Should the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay ever get around its quiet volume woes and get some discounts in the future, it could be a handy alternative to those who can't quite afford SteelSeries' prized pairs. If and when that happens, I'll be sure to give it another look. How I tested the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset I had the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset in my possession for a little under a month, where it became my headset of choice while playing not just my PS5 and gaming PC, but my Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck too. During that time, I threw a ton of titles its way, from Jaws Retro Rewind, Doom Eternal, and Marvel Rivals on the Sony console, to Counter-Strike 2, Marvel Rivals, Peak, and Dispatch on the PC. Additionally, I used the pair while gaming on the go to check its comfort levels while adding to my eye-watering playtime for Pokemon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2, alongside Rhythm Paradise Groove and Donkey Kong Bananza. When not gaming, I also used the pair while watching TV shows The Pitt and Rooster on Now TV, while using it intermittently while listening to bands like Boards of Canada, Placebo and the Deltatune OST on Spotify. For more information on how we test gaming headsets, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy. Check out our best PS5 headset, best PC headset for gaming, and best Nintendo Switch headset guides to see how we rank the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay headset against the best cups on the market today. [/url]View the full article

Ever since Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 was initially announced, Infinity Ward has been making some big promises for what fans can expect from the newest addition to the fan-favorite reboot. Having already claimed that Modern Warfare 4 will be pulling back on wacky cosmetics and will introduce a new extraction shooter mode with DMZ, the upcoming shooter project has been gaining even more eyes on it than ever. View the full article

Station to Station was a precision-placement puzzle game with the appearance of a management sim. I adored the fresh take on making an infrastructure game more cerebral, but for the sequel Town to City the devs at Galaxy Grove have committed to the genre and delivered a more in-depth and free-form building / management experience. […]View the full article

Atlus shares a new Persona 4 Revival character trailer focusing on Chie. View the full article

Daggerheart: Hope and Fear releases on August 25, and there's been some serious hype for the RPG's first expansion. It's a substantial update to the system, with an entire new Domain and three new classes. I'm part-way through my review readthrough, and one of those new character options has already stolen my heart - the Warlock. Read the full story on Wargamer: Daggerheart's new Warlock feels delightfully different from the D&D original View the full article

Infinity Ward is back in the saddle for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4, and I took its new multiplayer mode, Kill Block, for a spin. Read the full story on PCGamesN: Modern Warfare 4's Kill Block lets you use a Desert Eagle sniper rifle, but it's still Call of Duty at heart View the full article

Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown, who's currently working on open-world racer Clutch after departing Microsoft-owned Playground Games in 2023, has offered his perspective on Xbox's current layoff-heavy pivot in direction. Despite the Xbox Game Pass push of former Xbox boss Phil Spencer and co being blamed by new boss Asha Sharma as she's ditched studios and given devs their walking papers, Brown still believes Game Pass was a "good" concept, if clearly not one successful enough to avoid this outcome. Read more View the full article

Future? No Thanks! is a jolly and acerbic open world city game from seasoned satirist Paulo "Molleindustria" Perdicini. It's about a bitter old boomer trying to enjoy his final day in an ecosocialist paradise. There's a demo on Steam that gives you 30 minutes access to a realm of sentient toilets, cricket burgers, ornamental park guillotines, and cannabis vending machines. Speaking as a bitter old millennial, I found my 30 minutes delightful. Read more View the full article

Final Fantasy 14's battle content designer Masayoshi Ishikawa says that he put Absolute Virtue in Windurst: The Third Walk just to show how strong Shantotto is. He also jokes that the menace could've been the first boss of Windurst if Shantotto hadn't destroyed it in the pre-fight cutscene. In an interview with Famitsu, Ishikawa discusses the ways he tried to show Shantotto's strength in the finale to the Final Fantasy 11 crossover, Echoes of Vana'diel. Despite being the first boss of Windurst: The Third Walk, Ishikawa wanted her to appear particularly powerful. As translated by GamesRadar+, Ishikawa says, "As she's the first boss, there are limits on how strong we can make her. In the distance Meteor rains down in the middle of the fight exploding in chaos, and as she casts a large number of mage actions, FF14 players can easily tell 'this is a powerful ****** mage.' She shows her strength in a number of ways, like the dynamic way Quake raises walls up from the ground." However, it's not the damage she deals in battle that best demonstrates how formidable she is, but who she defeats before the fight with her even begins. "The cherry on top is that she defeats Absolute Virtue in the cutscene before the battle starts," Ishikawa explains with a chuckle. The interviewer then asks Ishikawa if Absolute Virtue would have been Windurst's first boss if that cutscene didn't exist. "Could've been," Ishikawa replies with a chuckle. He shouldn't have teased us with a good time. Absolute Virtue stands as one of Final Fantasy 11's most infamous bosses due to how hard it once was. To be honest, at the peak of its powers, it was probably among the hardest super bosses you could face in the whole Final Fantasy series. In the years following its release, Square Enix got heat for discounting teams for not beating it by legit means. While the devs did eventually release some tips on how to topple the beast, they eventually conceded and nerfed Absolute Virtue. Mind you, it did take us a few years to get to that point. Square Enix just killed Final Fantasy 14's mobile port before it could even launch globally, offering "sincere apologies for being unable to meet your expectations" [/url]View the full article

Thanks to a limited-time, limited-time PC deal, Steam users are able to claim free keys for an ARPG from 2024. However, instead of focusing on hell and demons, this Steam ARPG is focused on a fantasy realm populated with dwarves. View the full article

The Acer Predator Atlas 8 Handheld now has a price and expected launch month, for the *** at least. Read the full article here: [Hidden Content] View the full article

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past will be revealed at gamescom 2026 during Opening Night Live, CD Projekt has announced. Songs of the Past is the third expansion for CD Projekt’s fantasy masterpiece, and is due out in 2027 — 12 years after the original game came out and 11 years after the much-loved second expansion, Blood and Wine. CD Projekt said it is co-developing the expansion with Fool’s Theory, a team comprising "industry veterans" who worked on The Witcher 3. Here’s what we know so far. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Songs of the Past first details:Songs of the Past is a third expansion coming to The Witcher 3: Wild HuntIt will launch in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PCCD Projekt Red is co-developing Songs of the Past with Fool’s TheorySongs of the Past will return players to the role of legendary monster slayer Geralt of Rivia for a brand new adventure when it launches in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. CD Projekt has suggested Songs of the Past will help set the stage for the upcoming The Witcher 4. While telling a standalone story starring Geralt set after the events of The Witcher 3, the new adventure will also act as a prologue of sorts to The Witcher 4, according to the company's joint CEO Michał Nowakowski. Speaking to investors in May, Nowakowski was questioned on how the expansion is being positioned in the franchise, why it will launch in 2027 after previously being expected this year, and whether any of CD Projekt's new trilogy of The Witcher games will also receive expansions, as The Witcher 3 has. "First and foremost, we really wanted to deliver a great experience to the fans, a really cool expansion that's going to make people happy that they can come back to The Witcher 3 setting," Nowakowski said, discussing why Songs of the Past was being made in the first place. "Of course, indirectly, yes, it is a reminder [of the franchise for fans]. It is, in a way, a prologue, although it's not a prologue in a verbatim way of [being] a prologue for the actual The Witcher 4. Yes, you can look at it as it's a way to maintain certain chatter on The Witcher 3. All of those are side effects, additional side effects. The core thing for us, from our perspective, is really delivering a high-quality, fun experience to the existing fans of The Witcher." "We had a moment where our plans assumed that Songs of the Past would be released this year," Nowakowski said, when questioned why the expansion was launching later than expected. "We decided together with the development team, that the game will be launching in 2027, to be honest, to achieve the best possible result from the consumer standpoint, which in the end, frankly speaking, is the only ultimate thing that really matters." During a livestream aimed at The Witcher fans, CD Projekt gave a few further hints on the expansion's focus, teasing the importance of Geralt's new third sword — as glimpsed in a recent piece of artwork released to celebrate a springtime festival. Geralt's bard buddy Dandelion is also present. "We won't give too much away right now because we want you to experience it as you play," senior community and social media manager Laura Beitzel teased during the 10th anniversary livestream designed to celebrate Blood and Wine. "But as a few eagle-eyed people have already seen over the past 24 hours, there are some hints waiting for you on a very important evening in Witcher lore, Belleteyn Night, in our Belleteyn celebration that we shared a few weeks ago. So... keep looking for clues." Here, Beitzel is referencing a piece of artwork and a poem it posted on social media in April. It shows Geralt resting by a bonfire as Dandelion plays the lute while villagers dance. More importantly, though, it shows Geralt with a mysterious new sword — the same sword he's also holding in Songs of the Past's reveal artwork, which sports an unusual ornate curved crossguard. "So yes, Geralt is holding a sword," CD Projekt's Amelia Korzycka continued, referencing Songs of the Past's key artwork. "It is a very important sword for the story and you will get to know it when the game comes out. So a few more streams before that when [we] reveal it." Beitzel also discussed the size of the expansion. "Songs of the Past will be aligned with what you're familiar with in Blood and Wine, and what you've come to experience and expect from us when we do our expansions," Beitzel explained. "It's an expansion, let's make it clear." We also have confirmation that Songs of the Past will include more Gwent cards, and that CD Projekt was still working on cross-platform mod support for The Witcher 3, to launch at some point in the future. CD Projekt has yet to show Songs of the Past off in any way since it announced the expansion in May, so I expect we’ll see a trailer and, hopefully, some gameplay at ONL on August 25. The show kicks off at 11am PT / 2pm ET / 7pm *** time / 8pm CEST. The Witcher 3 recently hit an astonishing 65 million copies sold (it only seemed right that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim hit the same sales milestone just a few months later). CD Projekt is of course busy working on The Witcher 4, although there’s no release window yet. The Polish games company is also working on Cyberpunk 2 in what is an extremely busy development *******. Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at *****@*****.tld. View the full article

The Modern Warfare 4 beta dates have been announced, so we now know when we can get hands-on with the latest shooter instalment. As always, there will be an initial Early Access ******* for players who have pre-ordered the game, followed by an Open Beta where everyone can check out Modern Warfare 4 ahead of its October release without having to commit to a purchase. Following a recent blog post we have some early intel on the MW4 beta, including the dates when it will be running and the requirements to join it, though exact times haven't been confirmed yet. If you're keen to get involved, then here's everything we know so far about the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 beta and how to access it. When are the Modern Warfare 4 beta dates? (Image credit: Activision) The Modern Warfare 4 beta dates are divided between two sessions as follows: Early AccessStart: Friday, August 21End: Tuesday, August 25Open BetaStart: Friday, August 28End: Tuesday, September 1 Above are the dates for the Modern Warfare 4 beta, and although we don't have exact times as yet we do know that the Early Access beta starts immediately after the Call of Duty: NEXT broadcast on August 21. To access the initial Early Access ******* on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC you need to pre-order Modern Warfare 4 in either Standard or Vault Edition format, though if you reserve the Vault Edition you'll receive additional perks during the beta – more on that below. The exception to this is Nintendo Switch 2, where pre-orders don't open until August 28, but at that point Switch 2 players can join everyone else in the Open Beta ******* where no pre-order is required to take part. What's in the Modern Warfare 4 beta? (Image credit: Activision) The full details of what's included in the Modern Warfare 4 beta haven't been revealed yet, but we know that there will be a selection of multiplayer maps and modes available from small-scale 3v3 skirmishes to huge tactical battles. These will include Search & Destroy and the Training Mobility Course, alongside the brand new Kill Block experience. Players who pre-order the Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 4 will get access to additional content during the beta, including: Hostile Alliance Operator PackPriceValeriaGhostBlixSpecial Forces Operator PackCOM SFT (France)KSK Amphibious (Germany)SK Special Forces (South Korea)SAS (United Kingdom)Signature Weapons CollectionKastov 762 Assault Rifle and “Voltspine” BlueprintISO Nightshade Submachine Gun and “La Sombra Venenosa” (“The Poisonous Shadow”) BlueprintRezi 12 Shotgun and “Shattered Code” BlueprintOris 8.6 Marksman Rifle and “Volt-Edge” BlueprintCombat Knife (Melee) and “Sombra Besada” (“Shadow’s Kiss”) Blueprint More details on the Modern Warfare 4 beta, including what exclusive beta rewards can be unlocked, are due to be announced in the coming weeks – so check back here for updates as information is revealed. When will the Modern Warfare 4 beta end? (Image credit: Activision) The Modern Warfare 4 beta is officially scheduled to end on Tuesday, September 1, when the Open Beta draws to a close. The previous ****** Ops 7 beta did get extended by an extra day though, so this end point isn't set in stone yet depending on how the rest of the MW4 beta ******* goes. © GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission. [/url]View the full article

The Witcher fans have had an undeniably great year after the official The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past DLC was confirmed to be in development for a 2027 release ahead of the launch of The Witcher 4. The DLC will reportedly bridge the narrative gap between The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4, introduce a third sword to the mix, and likely do some work to begin passing the reins to Ciri as the lead protagonist. View the full article

I'm super pumped for Dinolords, because it brings together some really interesting gameplay mechanics - the latest trailer shows some of it off. Read the full article here: [Hidden Content] View the full article

There may not be a more iconic antihero than John Constantine, the chain-smoking occult detective who has spent decades battling demons, angels, and every supernatural horror imaginable. Created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben, and later developed into the star of DC's Hellblazer series, Constantine first appeared in The Saga of the Swamp Thing back in 1985 before becoming a fan-favorite with a devoted following across comics, television, film, and video games. View the full article

Ayaneo wants up to $4,299 for its Next 2 flagship gaming handheld. I'll give you a moment to let that sink in, as that's the price of its top-end model, and even the cheapest version costs almost two grand. Keep in mind the portable was previously suspended due to high production costs, but it feels like the boutique device maker is now hoping early bird discounts will save its campaign. Over at the freshly re-launched Ayaneo Next 2 IndieGoGo page, the best gaming handheld contender now starts at $1,799.99. That's the version with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage with an early bird discount applied, meaning if you wait until after the launch, you'll pay next to two grand. It's also armed with a lower-spec AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 chipset compared to the two other models, but those will make even the steepest portable prices blush. If you're gunning for at least the mid-tier Next 2 model with 64GB RAM and an A1+ 395 APU, you're looking at $2,299.99 with discounts applied. Even with the Steam Deck OLED sitting way too high for its own good thanks to RAMageddon, you could still grab almost three of those, and I'm pretty sure I have less funds in my life savings account right now. (Image credit: Ayaneo) I'm half poking fun at the 64GB version price, but I can't quite compute why the top-end 128GB/2TB combo is a thing at $3,499. Again, that's with an early-bird discount serving as a saving grace, as the top Ayaneo Next 2 comes with a $4,299 MSRP. I've been working with handhelds and analysing the scene for decades at this point, and I can't grasp who that model is actually for. Just to be clear, you are getting a premium handheld for your money. The Next 2 is rocking a massive 9.06-inch 165Hz OLED display with a max 2,400 x 1,504 resolution, adjustable TMR thumbsticks, and dual touchpads. While a chunk of the cost is sunk into inflated RAM and storage prices sparked by AI data centre demand, Ayaneo's portable was always going to be pricier than its competition thanks to its feature set. Believe me when I say I'm not being flippant, as I can't see even ultra-enthusiasts paying over $4,000 for a handheld given their nature. There's a reason we've continued to get waves of portables this decade, and it's due to how quickly next-gen contenders succeed chipsets. (Image credit: Ayaneo) Unlike with consoles that use custom silicon, even the "top" portables like the ROG Xbox Ally X with its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme are finding themselves quickly outpaced thanks to new Intel Arc G3 Extreme and Ryzen AI+ models. Don't get me wrong, I love testing newcomers to see how much further they can boost fps compared to last year's model, but the current price situation makes it solely feel like a banana-swinging exercise. Sure, the Ayaneo Next 2 might end up being the beefiest handheld gaming PC out there, and the company certainly knows how to make a punchy portable. I'm not uncomfortable with the way buying a handheld now feels like investing in something like a car, and yearly spec changeups mean that players will likely only hang onto their devices for a couple of years before trying to trade them up for a hotter model. There's an anxiety goblin telling me that things will go the way of the PlayStation Portal and the pricing situation will prompt the handheld scene to embrace a cloud streaming future as a solution. We're already set to lose access to physical media, and if playing on the latest hardware comes with a tariff in the thousands, actually owning capable hardware at home could soon become a thing of the past. Check out the best retro handhelds if you'd rather stick with the classics. [/url]View the full article