Depending on where you live, winters can be brutal. It can be nice to cozy up with a Steam game and pass the time, but every so often, there's a game that turns right around and reminds you of how cold things can really get. View the full article
Actor Idris Elba is knighted in the New Year Honours. The 53-year old Hollywood star from Hackney, London can now officially be called Sir Idris. Sir Idris, who rose to prominence for playing ********* Bell in HBO series The Wire and DCI John Luther in BBC series Luther, more recently played the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States, in Heads of State and A House of Dynamite respectively, both of which came out in 2025. Elba is no stranger to the world of video games, either, having played Solomon Reed in the Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, Phantom Liberty. He was knighted for services to young people in recognition of his charity work at the Elba Hope Foundation, which supports community empowerment, education, youth advocacy, and sustainable development. In particular, Elba has been outspoken on knife crime. He said: “I hope we can do more to draw attention to the importance of sustained, practical support for young people and to the responsibility we all share to help them find an alternative to violence.” Meanwhile, the actor and comedian Meera Syal (The Kumars at No 42) is being awarded a Damehood for services to Literature, Drama and Charity, while the composer Max Richter is being awarded a CBE (Commanders of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to Music. Actor Warwick Davis is also being recognised for services to Drama and Charity with an OBE (Officers of the Order of the British Empire). Davis said: "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me — and I've been in Star Wars." An MBE (Members of the Order of the British Empire) went to Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, and the author and television presenter Richard Osman (Thursday ******* Club) is being awarded an OBE for his services to literature and broadcasting. 1,157 recipients have been awarded from every part of the ***, with a particular focus this year on those who have gone above and beyond for their communities. Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival. 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 game industry returned to real growth in 2025, and that was reflected in the successful games that we saw this year. The string of indie hits continued, with the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from the 30-person Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France. .memberful-global-teaser-content p:last-child{ -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); } This story is for GB MAX paid membership plans. Unlock premium insights, exclusive events, and VIP community perks.Upgrade Membership The post My favorite games of 2025 | The DeanBeat appeared first on GamesBeat. View the full article
One of the most exciting surprises of gaming in 2025 came with the launch of dark horse ARC Raiders, an extraction shooter that was squished between the launch dates of Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: ****** Ops 7. ARC Raiders is a tremendous success, but it’s only here because of a valiant effort of the developers to make the best game possible after nearly seven years of development — full of pivots that served the cause of player fun. I rated the game a 5 out of 5 stars. That’s why it was a thrill for me to get the inside story of the game’s development while playing the game with Patrick Söderlund, CEO of Embark Studios, and Owen Mahoney, the former CEO of Nexon and the man who greenlit the project and fully funded it. The studio just released a big winter update for the game. .memberful-global-teaser-content p:last-child{ -webkit-mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); mask-image: linear-gradient(180deg, #000 0%, transparent); } Read This Article Free Get instant access by joining the GB MAX Access tier — it’s free to sign up and unlock premium content.Join Now to Start ReadingAlready a member? Sign in The post Inside ARC Raiders — A candid interview with game leaders Patrick Söderlund and Owen Mahoney while playing live appeared first on GamesBeat. View the full article
Why take a risk? With development cycles and budgets ballooning in recent years, a flop of a game could spell doom for a studio. If you're the size of Bethesda or CD Projekt Red, you can spend years rebuilding trust with a series of updates to Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077, but for smaller studios commercial failure could be a death sentence. That's why former Grand Theft Auto developer Obbe Vermeij has gone on the record to congratulate Larian on its "bold" decision to step away from the Dungeons and Dragons license and Baldur's Gate series. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Baldur's Gate 3's Devora Wilde is okay with being typecast, especially if she gets to be "badass females" Baldur's Gate 3's Neil Newbon isn't sure about a mocap Game Award, but he's got a great alternative "F**k AI in performance," says Baldur's Gate 3's Neil Newbon: "it's dull as hell," and companies should "spread the wealth" View the full article
Ahead of the new year, developer Everstone Studio reveals its plans to continue expanding Where Winds Meet by releasing a full content roadmap for January 2026. Following the game's launch on November 14, Where Winds Meet has continued to be popular with players, maintaining a healthy player base which, in turn, has pushed Everstone Studio to continue improving the game both with post-launch updates as well as new content and features. As it stands, players seemingly have a lot to look forward to in January 2026. View the full article
With the recent launch of Red Dead Redemption's next-gen update, fans of the franchise will be eager to find something to scratch the same itch. There aren't very many Western games that truly capture the same feel and atmosphere as Red Dead Redemption, but there's one excellent game on PlayStation Plus that comes extremely close. View the full article
The definitive setting for the anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 sequel has been officially revealed, but you may have actually missed it. The original title is set in the large metropolis of Night City, which is a recreation of a dystopic post-capitalist Los Angeles, and its outskirts. There is a lot to do in the game, even five years later, with some modders even creating a new Life Path for Cyberpunk 2077, which changes how you tackle the RPG. View the full article
Grand Theft Auto 6 fans still have quite a long wait ahead of them after the most recent delay announcement which has pushed the highly anticipated game back to November 2026. However, there's a massive open-world project inspired by GTA that players need to keep an eye on, and you will be able to play it much sooner. View the full article
Valve has released the data about the best-selling games on Steam in 2025, as is tradition around this time of year. While the rest of us might be scooping gravy onto leftover turkey sandwiches or frantically scribbling some New Year's resolutions, Gabe Newell and the devs behind gaming's most popular storefront have got their calculators out to give us the definitive ranking of the year's best selling titles. While the likes of Battlefield 6 and Arc Raiders are hardly going to raise any eyebrows, there are a few surprise inclusions. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: The first Arc Raiders wipe blesses the game's top grinders with a surprise cinematic no one expected Here are our favorite Steam Winter ***** 2025 deals, including The Witcher 3 for $4 and Arc Raiders' first price drop Arc Raiders' blueprint bonanza just got nerfed, but it's not all doom and gloom View the full article
Despite plenty of rumors circulating over the past few months that a new game in The Legend of Zeldaseries would finally be announced, it seems they were mostly unfounded as we go into the new year without an official update. While this isn't too surprising given the timeline between The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, we're getting something even better thanks to a dedicated fan. View the full article
This GPU generation brought some progress, but also some baffling decisions. In 2025, AMD and Nvidia were still pushing 8GB graphics cards, and gamers are finally pushing back. Read Entire Article View the full article
In the global race to control the Arctic, the challenge isn't just geopolitical – it's technological. As governments plan for the possibility of conflict in the planet's coldest terrain, they are discovering that even their most advanced weapons and tools falter under the region's punishing conditions. Read Entire Article View the full article
It's the news that nobody wanted to hear. Owlcat Games, the studio behind the likes of Pathfinder, Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader, and forthcoming CRPGs The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and Warhammer 40k Dark Heresy, is launching its own, um, launcher. As one of the standard bearers for classic turn-based gameplay over the past decade, it's great to see it get more widespread recognition for its work in the genre. However, to paraphrase Uncle Ben, with increased popularity comes great responsibility, and Owlcat has decided to wield that responsibility irresponsibly. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Grab a free Steam key for Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader, my favorite 40k game in years Baldur's Gate 3 "rekindled many players' love for CRPGs," which Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader dev says is a blessing My evil playthrough of Warhammer 40k Rogue Trader just got decimated by its new update, but it's probably for the best View the full article
I have been living the cozy game life in the past year or two, often flocking to games that let me relax instead of amp me up. That’s why when I saw Beastro from Timberline Studio, I instantly wanted to take a look. The art style is beautiful, and when I caught wind that it was a cooking simulator, I was sold. However, after playing the Steam demo—which lasted quite a few hours since I love to collect ingredients—I learned that Beastro is so much more than a cooking simulator. Diving into the game, I was introduced to Palo Pori, a beautiful little waterside village. You come to learn that this city is surrounded by a wall, protecting the village from monsters outside. No one really comes or goes, until now. You play Panko, a chef, whose teacher has gone missing, leaving it up to you to take over the restaurant. But it is more than just cooking, underneath it all. The game loop begins as many sims do: talk to villagers, collect ingredients, feed the animals…standard chores.... Read more View the full article
From the very start of its inception, Monster Hunter Wildshas always been a love letter to what made the series special, while innovating in ways that it's never been able to before now. From bringing back fan-favorite monsters like Lagiacrus that haven't had a chance to shine in ages to even including several major characters from past entries, Wilds has plenty of Easter eggs hiding in plain sight. View the full article
Shredder Gyros are one of the hardest items to obtain in ARC Raiders, but you'll need to get them if you want to complete the second Expedition project. The demand for Shredder Gyros has definitely increased since the new Expedition project went live. However, you'll also need to hunt down Shredders if you're looking to ace the Week 10 trials. This guide will provide you with all the required information to help you take down Shredders and get their gyros in the process. Best locations to get Shredder Gyros in ARC Raiders To get Shredder Gyros, we will need to take down Shredders (that's the obvious part). The best map for encountering Shredders is Stella Montis. This endgame map isn't meant for beginners, as plenty of PvP actions take place on it. However, the chance of encountering a Shredder is by far the highest. While Shredders can spawn in random spots, they're often found behind locked doors. Areas locked by special keys in Stella Montis can also have Shredders behind locked doors. If Night Raid is active on the map, you'll also have higher chances to find Shredders (and get higher scores when you take one down). Screenshot and remix by Destructoid I have marked some of the locations where you can commonly encounter the Shredder. However, their ultimate spawn points on a raid will be completely random. If you're yet to find one, try hitting as many POIs as possible. This will automatically raise the chances of encountering one. If you're looking to score three stars on the Week 10 trials, you don't have to destroy a Shredder. If you want the Shredder Gyro, however, you'll need to destroy it. Ideally, using a weapon with heavy ammo is your best bet. Image via Embark Both the Jupiter and Hullcracker are excellent choices, and you can't go wrong with either. Since the Shredder has a decent range of movement and speed, using Snap Blast grenades can also work. If you're in a squad, one of you should act as bait. This will allow the others to target the Shredder from behind. This keeps them safe from being fired upon and also exposes the weaker armor. You'll need to take down several Shredders, since you need 10 Gyros to complete the Expedition 2 project. Usually, this should be done within four runs on Stella Montis, even with average luck. The post How to get Shredder Gyros in ARC Raiders appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article
The Division 2 Y7S3 Mutiny continues towards the final quest as we now have the Scout 5 objectives available inside the game. After an action-packed week, things are looking slower this week, but there are still three tasks to complete. This guide will provide you with all the required information necessary to complete the tasks. Table of contentsThe Division 2 Y7S3 Mutiny Week 5 Scout solutionsComplete a Target PracticeDonate 75 resources to Southwest Control PointsComplete a True Sons propaganda broadcastThe Division 2 Y7S3 Mutiny Week 5 Scout solutions Scout 5 has three different objectives to complete, just like Week 4. They're hidden as part of cryptic hints that you have to decode and solve. Thankfully, the tasks this week are simpler, and there's no HVT to hunt down. Here are the hints for all three tasks. "The settlements have requested a shooting demonstration to help with their training efforts.""Liberty's Call safe house needs help replenishing their supplies after some residents joined the True Sons.""We need to stop the True Sons from spreading their propaganda." Here's what you have to do to complete the Scout activities in the fifth week. Complete a Target PracticeDonate 75 resources to Southwest Control PointsComplete a True Sons propaganda broadcastComplete a Target Practice Target Practice is an open-world activity that can take place in different locations. A shield-like symbol typically denotes them. Image via Ubisoft Head to the location, and you'll find a trainer. Speak with the trainer, and a timer will begin. The activity will have four rounds, with targets popping up all around you. The number of targets will increase in the latter rounds, and you have to take them all down before the time runs out. If you fail, you'll have to speak with the trainer and restart the process. Donate 75 resources to Southwest Control Points Image via Ubisoft For this task, you must have at least one Control Point under SHD. Head to the location, and you'll find a Control Point Officer. If you don't have a captured POI, you'll have to gain control of either The Choke or the No Hope Hotel locations. Once done, the Control Point Officer will arrive. Interact with them and donate the required resources to complete the second task. Complete a True Sons propaganda broadcast The last task requires you to take over a Propaganda Broadcast that belongs to the True Sons faction. It's yet another open-world activity, and can pop up at any location. Head to the location, and you'll have to defeat enemies. Once you activate the speaker override procedure, wait for the progress to reach 50%. A second wave of enemies will arrive. The second wave will have a special access key that you get after defeating them. Once done, use the key to re-enable the speaker. A third wave appears before the progress hits 100%. The challenge will be complete after you take down the third and final wave and authorize the override. The post The Division 2 Y7S3 Mutiny Week 5 Manhunt: Scout 5 solutions appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article
My Winter Car is available on Steam in early access, and it already offers a big list of vehicles. The list of vehicles currently available is slightly limited since we are in early access. However, plenty of cars have already been revealed on the trailer, or they're expected to return with future patches. This guide will provide you with a complete list of all the vehicles that are currently available, and the list of names that should arrive with future updates. Table of contentsComplete list of vehicles in My Winter CarPlayer-owned vehiclesNPC-owned vehiclesNon-driveable vehiclesRace carsAmis CarsComplete list of vehicles in My Winter Car Vehicles in My Winter Car, just like My Summer Car, come in different shapes and sizes. Players directly own some of the vehicles, while some might not be drivable. Image via Amistech Games Player-owned vehicles When you begin playing the game, you'll own two cars. Corris Rivett: Base on the Ford Taunus TC, this is the main buildable vehicle in My Winter Car. You'll gradually get different parts for it to get the car ready for action.Sorbett: This is the first car you get to drive in My Winter Car. It's present outside your cabin, and will serve as your go-to vehicle for daily work.Jonnez ES: The moped is expected to return after being seen on an older stream.NPC-owned vehiclesBachglotz: Based on the 1965 Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Coupe, the Bachglotz will be a new loaner car available from Fleetari.Gifu: Expected to be available with a future update, but there might be a new version.Kekmet: The Kekmet is pretty much confirmed to return after being spotted in a trailer.Non-driveable vehiclesBurnet Ferndale: While the Burnet will return, it is expected to be present only as a prop.Hayosiko Pace: Present near the player's uncle's shed, but can't be driven.Heppa: This red pickup truck belongs to Pena, and it's based on a FSO Polle Pickup truck.Bus: The Bus should return, and we should be able to ride it (not drive).Race cars There will be new Race and Rally cars, as seen from the trailers. The Rally cars are expected to receive new models. At the same time, at least five different jokkis are expected to be present in My Winter Car. Amis Cars As promised by the developers, there will be new Amis cars present in My Winter Car. Both Jani and Petteri have new vehicles to drive. There's the Techno Victra as well, which is expected to return in the future. The Marjada is a new NPC car that appears to be an Amis car as well. As mentioned earlier, some of these vehicles aren't available in the current early-access launch build of My Winter Car. We don't know when they will be added, but their status (of becoming available in the future) is pretty sure as of writing. The post All vehicles in My Winter Car appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article
Borderlands 4 players can use a new SHiFT code to get three golden keys to use in the game. While this promotion is a good opportunity to get some rare loot, Borderlands 4 players will need to act fast, as this code expires on December 31. View the full article
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Depending on where you live, winters can be brutal. It can be nice to cozy up with a Steam game and pass the time, but every so often, there's a game that turns right around and reminds you of how cold things can really get. View the full article