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"We want to make it feel like we're breaking fresh ground again"View the full article

Splitgate 2 developer 1047 Games has confirmed an undisclosed number of layoffs, with the co-founders of the studio opting not to take salaries as they bid to turn things around. The free-to-play ‘Halo with portals’ shooter launched under a cloud after co-founder and director Ian Proulx took to the Summer Game Fest stage wearing a hat that read ‘Make FPS Great Again.’ During his speech, Proulx called out Call of Duty in what was considered a marketing gaffe. When Splitgate 2 launched, it did so with a battle royale mode and a heavily criticized $145 microtransaction bundle. Splitgate 2 saw a peak concurrent player count of 25,785 on Steam, well below Splitgate’s 67,724 peak concurrent player count. Steam user reviews remain on ‘mixed.’ Steam stats do not paint the whole picture, of course, given Splitgate 2 launched across consoles as well as PC. Indeed, 1047 Games has said Splitgate 2 has had over 2.5 million players. But clearly, things have not gone as well as the studio had hoped. In an interview with IGN shortly after launch, Proulx said he was “surprised” by the reaction, admitting “we didn't expect this to be nearly as controversial as it was and we didn't intend for it to be.” Now, 1047 Games has suffered a round of layoffs, which it characterized as “a small group” of staff in a post on LinkedIn. Also in the post came confirmation that co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian have opted not to take salaries, as the studio aims to improve the game. Here’s the statement in full: Today we parted ways with a small group of valued 1047 Games team members. We’re still perfecting the Splitgate 2 gameplay experience in response to community feedback, and we are redirecting resources to build the best game for our players. We are sad to see our teammates go, and we are actively working to help them secure new opportunities. Further, our co-founders Ian Proulx and Nicholas Bagamian have opted not to take salaries as we lock in to deliver the next phase of the project. Thank you to those who’ve built alongside us — we are sad to say goodbye and would not be here without you. To everyone who’s playing Splitgate 2, we’re continuing to work hard to deliver more things we know you’ll love. We are committed to building this game for the long haul. While 1047 did not specify how many were let go, or who exactly, a number of key staff have announced their departures across social media platforms. Meanwhile, Splitgate 2 had a 24-hour peak concurrent player count of 10,059 on Steam, with 4,437 players on Valve’s platform at the time of this article’s publication. Splitgate 2 secured a 7/10 in IGN’s review. We said: “Splitgate 2 is a decent successor to the original that expands on it, but never really surpasses it.” 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

After years of waiting, IO Interactive finally showcased a trailer for 007 First Light, highlighting more than enough potential to give the iconic agent a second chance at a life in video games. Following the gaming franchise's 13-year hiatus after the poorly received 007 Legends, First Light is breaking new ground for the titular MI6 agent with an all-new origin story. Although there's still plenty of speculation over its plot elements, 007 First Light's first trailer is already full of subtle nods and references to the series. View the full article

Balatro developer 'Localthunk' is celebrating today, having finally overcome their own hardest in-game challenge. The indie deckbuilder exploded in popularity with its launch in 2024, and it's due to receive a major gameplay update in 2025. Now, after much agony, the roguelike's creator confirms that they've finally 100% completed Balatro, and that the strive to do so has put them in a better position to deliver the much-anticipated 1.1 update. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: The best Balatro mods 2025 Balatro multiplayer mod tests your deckbuilding skills against your friends Out of nowhere, Balatro has just hit Game Pass View the full article

The Strongest Battlegrounds in Roblox offers a diverse cast of Characters that cater to a variety of playstyles, from fast and agile fighters to powerful juggernauts and skillful zoners. Whether you prefer aggressive close-range combat, precise counterattacks, or controlling the battlefield from a distance, there’s a character to match your approach. With unique movesets and strategic depth, the game encourages players to master their favorite fighters and adapt to various challenges for an exciting experience. To see which one is the best, follow along with this The Strongest Battlegrounds Character tier list and guide. Table of ContentsThe Strongest Battlegrounds Character Tier ListThe Strongest Battlegrounds Character ListThe Strongest HeroHero HunterHero Hunter (Monster Form)Brutal ******Destructive CyborgDeadly NinjaWild PsychicBlade MasterKJ (Limited Time)Sorcerer (Exclusive)Tech Prodigy (Early Access)The Frozen Soul (Exclusive)Crab Boss (Exclusive)Martial ArtistHow to Change Characters in The Strongest BattlegroundsThe Strongest Battlegrounds Character Tier List FAQsThe Strongest Battlegrounds Character Tier List All Characters in The Strongest Battlegrounds, ranked from best to worst - Image Via Tiermaker. In The Strongest Battlegrounds Character tier list above, we can see that The Strongest Hero stands out as the most powerful character, especially with its invincibility and instant-kill potential, while Martial Artist ranks among the weakest due to its low damage output. Characters like Deadly Ninja and Blade Master offer a lot of fun with their high mobility and combo potential, making them enjoyable for many players. Overall, the game balances strong damage dealers with versatile and skill-based fighters, giving options for different playstyles. The Exclusive Characters are insanely powerful too, but since they are pay-to-win and can only be played in private servers for a limited time, they go lower on the tier list. The Strongest Battlegrounds Character List Below is a complete and detailed list of all Characters in The Strongest Battleground, including all their attacks and abilities, listed from strongest to weakest: The Strongest Hero The Strongest Hero is a versatile character with a mix of fast and slow attacks, dealing both high and low damage, and features the game's second fastest M1 speed. While they lack range and mobility, their combos can be simple or complex depending on the player's skill. Their ultimate, Serious Mode, lasts forever and can instantly eliminate an opponent if a skill lands, though it doesn't allow health regeneration, and each move can only be used once. This character works well for both beginners and experienced players. Base MovesUltimate MovesNormal Punch Death Counter Consecutive Punches Table Flip Shove Serious Punch Uppercut Omni-Directional Punch Hero Hunter Hero Hunter excels at grab-based offense, using precise positioning to unleash massive burst damage and intuitive combos. They also boast a unique counterattack called Prey’s Peril that either knocks opponents away or deflects projectiles when timed correctly. Their ultimate, Rampage, can often secure a kill if Final Hunt follows a successful Crushed Rock or Water Stream Cutting Fist, but its range and splash effects are underwhelming. With no ranged or mobility options, Hero Hunter is best suited to intermediate and experienced players who enjoy close-quarters combat. Base MovesUltimate MovesFlowing Water Water Stream Cutting Fist Lethal Whirlwind Stream The Final Hunt Hunter's Grasp Rock Splitting Fist Prey's Peril Crushed Rock Hero Hunter (Monster Form) The Hero Hunter's Monster Form is a powerful moveset that works well at both long and close range, but it demands accuracy and precision, making it better suited for experienced players. It can be unlocked by clicking the star next to the Hero Hunter icon and selecting the dropdown option, and contrary to common belief, it doesn't require any mastery to use. Base MovesUltimate MovesDoom Dive None Crowd Buster None Hammer Heel None Binding Cloth None Brutal ****** Brutal ****** is a flexible character with a variety of attacks that adapt well to different situations, though its slow M1 speed encourages a more aggressive playstyle. Their standout trait is a strong block-breaking moveset: Homerun, Grand Slam, and Foul Ball all offer great range, speed, and guaranteed combo starts. However, these moves come with higher endlag, and their unblockables are less effective outside of M1 range. Their ultimate, Pumped Up, trades a slower windup for wider splash damage, greater range, and access to a unique instant-kill counter that's safer on whiff and available as a one-time use. Base MovesUltimate MovesHomerun Savage Tornado Beatdown Brutal Beatdown Grand Slam Strength Difference Foul Ball Death Blow Destructive Cyborg Destructive Cyborg is a high-damage character with strong mid- to long-range abilities, excelling at zoning and closing gaps with powerful ranged moves. Most of their attacks are safe on block and deal chip damage, though their unblockable options are limited: Ignition Burst needs precise camera control, and their projectile must be fully charged to break through defenses. Their ultimate, Maximum Energy Output, offers impressive range, but aside from Speedblitz Dropkick, which bypasses counters like Death Counter, their moves are slower and leave them vulnerable if missed. This makes them a strong but riskier choice for players who can effectively manage timing and positioning. Base MovesUltimate MovesMachine Gun Blows Thunder Kick Ignition Burst Speedblitz Dropkick Blitz Shot Flamewave Cannon Jet Dive Incinerate Deadly Ninja Deadly Ninja is a highly mobile character with a hit-and-run playstyle, using speed and strong range to engage or disengage with ease and punish whiffs more reliably. While their unblockable attacks are limited, low in damage, and riskier due to long windups, their ultimate, Can You Even See Me?, stands out with excellent range, speed, and consistent damage without relying on one-time use moves. However, the lack of armored attacks leaves them vulnerable to interruptions from well-timed enemy moves. Base MovesUltimate MovesFlash Strike Twinblade Rush Whirlwind Kick Straight On Scatter Carnage Explosive Shuriken Fourfold Flashstrike Wild Psychic Wild Psychic focuses on grab-based and multi-target attacks, using long-range grabs and two combo extenders to make up for their low individual damage. They fit a punishing playstyle that's great at escaping tight spots and catching opponents who try to run. While they deal the lowest damage among all characters, their utility and control make them a unique option for strategic players. Base MovesUltimate MovesCrushing Pull Cosmic Strike Windstorm Fury Psychic Ricochet Stone Coffin Terrible Tornado Explosive Push Sky Snatcher Blade Master Blade Master is a well-rounded character that blends mobility and combo extenders, making it a solid choice for players who understand the game's mechanics. While not immediately apparent, the wide range of techniques available can significantly enhance its potential. Blade Master also features a counter move in its base kit, allowing skilled players to turn defense into a combo opportunity. Base MovesUltimate MovesQuick Slice Sunset Atoms Cleave Solar Cleave Pinpoint Cut Sunrise Split Second Counter Atomic Slash KJ (Limited Time) KJ is a limited-time character given by the owner of The Strongest Battlegrounds, and it’s unclear how long they will be available. This character can only be used on private servers. Base MovesUltimate MovesRavage Stoic Bomb Swift Sweep 20-20-20 Dropkick Collateral Ruin Five Seasons Spiraling Storm Unlimited Flex Works Sorcerer (Exclusive) Sorcerer is the most powerful character, becoming nearly invincible with its Infinity ability and delivering powerful attacks that can instantly kill opponents. Due to its strength, Sorcerer is only available on private servers with the Private Server+ Gamepass. He is in the bottom tiers because he cannot be used in actual battles against opponents. Base MovesUltimate Moves Infinity None Repulse None Erase None Attract None Tech Prodigy (Early Access) Tech Prodigy stands out for its strong zoning abilities that pressure opponents to keep their distance, using moves like Weboom to force retreats and Plasma Cannon to make dodging a priority. While it can apply intense pressure, its slower windups leave it vulnerable to punishment. This character is also effective against teamers thanks to its powerful area-of-effect attacks. Base MovesUltimate MovesWeboom None Plasma Cannon None Trinity Tear None Twin Burst Photon Edge The Frozen Soul (Exclusive) The Frozen Soul is a juggernaut-style boss with high health, powerful damage, and strong area-of-effect attacks that excel against teams. Notably, it was the first boss able to regenerate health. Although the creators removed it from public servers on May 24, 2025, players can still summon and use it on private servers by activating the tundra fractal. Base MovesUltimate MovesPermafrost None Frost Forge None Freezing Path None Judgement Chain Sub-Zero Slash Storm Crab Boss (Exclusive) Crab Boss is a juggernaut-style character, similar to The Frozen Soul, introduced in the summer event, emerging every 30 minutes to attack nearby players. Its M1 attacks are slower than most characters, but it has high health and immunity to stun, making it a tough opponent that groups find best to challenge. When defeated, the top three damage dealers earn a one-time use of Crab Boss as a playable character. Base MovesUltimate MovesPincer Barrage None Giant Leap None Acid ***** None Laser Claws None Martial Artist Martial Artist features a fast-paced moveset with low cooldowns, allowing for smooth, high-damage combos where most moves link together effortlessly. All of their abilities cause ragdoll effects, except for the standard Vanishing Kick, making it easy to continue pressure once a combo starts. Since most moves can hit ragdolled opponents, players often punish careless use of evasive abilities heavily. Base MovesUltimate MovesBullet Barrage Grand Fissure Vanishing Kick Twin Fangs Whirlwind Drop Earth Splitting Strike Head First Last Breath How to Change Characters in The Strongest Battlegrounds To change your Character in The Strongest Battlegrounds, all you have to do is navigate to the top left side of the screen, next to the Settings button, and find the Characters Icon. Once you click it, you will be able to see all the available heroes that you can choose from. Enjoy! That is all for my The Strongest Battlegrounds Character tier list and guide. Let me know in the comments what your favorite Character is. Check out our other Roblox Articles if you have similar interests. The Strongest Battlegrounds Character Tier List FAQsWhat is the best Character in The Strongest Battlegrounds? Technically, it is the Sorcerer, but since he is only available for money and only on private servers, the strongest character is The Strongest Hero. How can I change Characters in The Strongest Battlegrounds? You can select which Character you would like to play in the top left side of the screen, after you click on the Characters button. Can I use the Solara Script in the Strongest Battlegrounds? Although no one technically enforces it, others may still hold you accountable if they find out you use it. The post The Strongest Battlegrounds Character Tier List & Guide [UPDATED] appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Indie title PEAK is attracting many new players following its global launch, and one of its USP is the ability to play with your friends. The objective is to get to the island's top, but not alone. Instead, you'll be cooperating with your buddies to reach the summit. The task won't be easy, as plenty of challenges will exist. Good teamwork will ease your problems and make your course smoother. While you can invite multiple friends to play with you, there are a few limitations. Table of contentsHow many players can you invite to your party in PEAK?How do you use mods to get more players to play together in PEAK?How many players can you invite to your party in PEAK? PEAK is best enjoyed in a group of four friends. If you're one of them, you can invite up to three more people. Four is the upper group limit in the current build of the game. To invite your friends, add them to your Steam list. This will make it easier for all of you to play and reach the summit together. If you have more than three other friends to play with, there's no way to do so together in the base version of the game. However, you can add mods to bypass this limit. Screenshot via Thunderstore How do you use mods to get more players to play together in PEAK? Modding PEAK isn't difficult, but you'll have to rely on Thunderstore. As of now, there are few useful options available on the store. However, you can install the MoreScouts mod to increase the limit to 20. Instead of just four people, you can increase matchmaking up to 20 without any lag. Installing the mod is pretty easy; you'll first need to download the file. You'll first require BepInEx, which acts like the mod manager. Once BepInEx is set up, you'll find a "Plugins" subfolder inside it (in your game's directory). Place the downloaded folder here, and the mod will be ready. To remove the mod, delete the files. If what I said sounds like Greek, try out this guide to know more about all the steps. That's all you need to do to bypass the official limit and play with more people together every round. The post How many people can play PEAK together? appeared first on Destructoid. View the full article

As it stands, Remedy Entertainment's latest entry into their Connected Universe, FBC: Firebreak, is not doing so hot. Across the board it's not been received entirely positively (including by our own James, you can read his review here), not exactly the ideal launch for a live service game. All the same, it being a live service game might ultimately be its benefit thanks to the power of that mystical force called "updates." In a Steam post shared by the FBC: Firebreak team, some planned improvements were outlined, which certainly sound like they'd make for a better experience. Read more View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

The recent Nintendo Direct entirely dedicated to Donkey Kong Bananza caught us all by surprise. The game looks to be packed ... Read more View the full article

The first preview card for Magic: The Gathering's upcoming Avatar: The Last Airbender set has been released. Avatar Aang, beloved protagonist of the first Avatar TV series, has received the full-on Magic: The Gathering treatment with a double-faced card of his own, complete with gorgeous art and some emotionally charged flavour text to boot. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: MTG's busted new Tezzeret card is on the fast track to a Legacy ban Overlooked MTG Final Fantasy synergy just triggered a 111% price spike One of MTG Final Fantasy's serialized Chocobo cards just sold for $40k View the full article

Stardew Valley is an adorable farming simulator that has become a staple of the "cozy" gaming genre, but it's not always simple and relaxing. When picking up the game for the first time, you may not be prepared for the sheer amount of calculations and planning you'll have to undergo to make your farm as successful as possible. Luckily, there's a fun solution to this that can make your game a little easier. View the full article

An Elden Ring Nightreign player is sharing their incredible accomplishment in the spinoff, clearing every boss in the game's solo mode as Revenant. The massively popular spinoff of the beloved open-world Soulslike game has seen plenty of success following its blockbuster release, quickly becoming a best-seller just hours after its debut. Elden Ring Nightreign amassed a staggering two million units sold within a day of the game's launch and quickly shot up Steam's "Most Played" chart. Now, one Nightreign player is sharing a particularly impressive achievement in the game. View the full article

Let's cut to the chase - if you live and breathe soulslikes, you're almost certainly going to have a good time with Wuchang Fallen Feathers, which boasts loads of weapons, engaging combat, big bosses, and a vast world to explore. But to make an impression in this increasingly crowded genre and be considered one of the greats, you need to do more than nail the essentials. If you're keeping your combat experience closely aligned with Fromsoftware's games, then you probably need a setting that's new and refreshing. If you're sticking with a dark fantasy world, then some tweaks to the typical combat formula wouldn't go amiss. Judging by my first hour of hands-on time with Wuchang Fallen Feathers at Summer Game Fest, it shakes up both of these areas, creating a dynamic and vibrant soulslike that still offers the expected levels of challenge. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: Directive 8020 has the potential to be Supermassive's greatest horror story yet Code Vein 2 evolves its anime soulslike action with time travel and motorbikes Fallout 76 fishing is just the start, with a big building update next in line View the full article For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Metaphor: ReFantazio has surpassed 2 million sales, ***** Sammy announced. While the figure marks a significant milestone for the game, it also indicates that Metaphor: ReFantazio's sales were heavily front-loaded and dropped off sharply following the game's debut. View the full article

LocalThunk, the solo developer of the smash-hit poker roguelike Balatro, has officially earned every one of the game's achievements on Steam. Released in early 2024, Balatro has become one of the most addictive titles on the market, winning numerous awards and still pulling in thousands of players every day with its addictive gameplay loop. View the full article

Oh, no. I'm feeling a little game journalist's remorse on this one. What was so important, a decade ago, that I couldn't get behind a flawed but fundamentally faithful Thief game? What might have happened if I'd dedicated all my energies to pumping the bellows in the direction of its lukewarm response at launch, persuading peers and punters to give Eidos Montreal's stealth sequel a fair shake? Maybe we wouldn't have waited til now for the whiff of a follow-up, in the form of VR spin-off Legacy of Shadow... Read more.View the full article

In an interview with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, she claims that there's a "hidden main character" that might be divisive for some players. While it's hard to argue against the lead writer and one of the main visionaries behind this masterpiece of an RPG, I don't think it's a cut-and-dry issue. The nature of Clair Obscur's elaborate story is such that we experience things from the perspective of multiple characters, and the plot itself doesn't revolve exclusively around a single individual. So who exactly is the main character of Clair Obscur after all? View the full article

The developers behind Overwatch 2 recently shared more about the game's upcoming Season 17, including some big adjustments to a couple of Flashpoint maps that will help keep the action flowing smoothly in the game mode. Season 17 is set to bring a number of big changes to Overwatch 2in addition to the usual goodies, including new cosmetics, two new Mythic items, a limited-time game mode, and more. View the full article

June 25 will be an important day for Assassin’s Creed Shadows players, as Ubisoft has announced that the next big update, 1.0.6, will be released. Released in March, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has already done very well, having the second-best launch in the series, right behind Assassin's Creed Valhalla. View the full article

After two years of social media dominance, iconic memes, and a whole lot of smooching, the sun has finally set on Baldur's Gate 3. With the release of Patch 8, the RPG's swansong update, Faerun and its denizens close their eyes - the Netherbrain is gone, the city is saved, and, if you're me, you're cozying up with Shadowheart on a farm in the countryside. But for Samantha Béart, the actor behind everyone's favorite tiefling, Karlach, the work doesn't stop. After a year of relative silence, they're lending their rich tones to new videogames - Absolum, Fading Echo, and Tron: Catalyst being just some of "at least nine" fresh projects. In many ways, the shadow of Avernus will always linger, but they aren't letting that worry them - in fact, this next year is all about demonstrating their range. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: The best sex games on PC 2024 After Baldur's Gate 3, a new single-player DnD game is officially on the way The 34 best Baldur's Gate 3 mods View the full article

Dying Light devs know what to focus onView the full article

Life simulator InZOI has made a massive change that will affect a future update that was previously announced for the game. This news will come as a welcome change for InZOIplayers, and should help to improve the upcoming update. View the full article

One of the best modes returning to Madden NFL 26 is Franchise mode, where you can control every aspect of a professional football team, from its players to its marketing. During this mode, you manage a team for multiple seasons, taking on all responsibilities related to ownership to customize your organization from top to bottom. While already a detailed mode, the newest entry in the series creates even more ways for you to elevate your franchise. View the full article

Hyper realistic life sim Inzoi is a strong contender to the virtual-world titan that is The Sims 4, even if Krafton still has a way to go to finish fleshing it out through early access. What I didn't expect was for it to square up to the likes of Stardew Valley. In a new letter from Hungjun 'Kjun' Kim, the Inzoi game director teases its third location, and it's been given a pretty dramatic redesign. Formerly announced as Kucingku, it's now Cahaya, a "resort-themed destination" that totally changes how your digital life plays out, making it into more of a farming game. Read the rest of the story... RELATED LINKS: InZOI tattoos - Give your Zoi tattoos and piercings All Inzoi cheats - free money, relationship cheats, and more Inzoi update expands the Sims rival dramatically, and it's on ***** to celebrate View the full article

Star Wars Battlefront 2 has broken its player count record on Steam for the second time in a month. After peaking at 10,489 concurrent players back in 2021, Star Wars Battlefront 2reached a new all-time peak on the platform last month, reaching 18,634 simultaneous players. Now, however, as players continue to campaign for publisher EA to green light a third entry in the series, Battlefront 2 has once again smashed through its previous record on Steam. View the full article

Bungie reveals how exotic armor is changing in The Edge of Fate, with many underappreciated and underpowered Destiny 2 gear pieces set to be impacted. With just weeks to go, Bungie is continuing to highlight and answer various questions about how the Edge of Fate expansion is going to be changing the Destiny 2 core loot chase experience. View the full article