Month: April 2025

Reports have emerged that a Switch 2 version of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has been rated in Saudi Arabia. Although Bandai Namco has already announced four titles for the Switch 2, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero is not currently among them. The existence of this age rating suggests that the game may soon make its way to the new console, potentially enhancing the Switch 2’s fighting game offerings. Originally released in October 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero was developed by Spike Chunsoft and published by Bandai Namco.

Upon its launch, it became a massive hit, selling an impressive 3 million copies within the first 24 hours and surpassing 5 million lifetime sales by February 2025. This success has made it one of the most recognized fighting games in recent times. According to Twitter user Gmedia_Games, the newly surfaced rating classifies Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero as suitable for players aged 12 and up, which aligns with its previous ratings. While there has been no official confirmation of the game being part of the Switch 2’s launch lineup, the age rating indicates an imminent release could be in the works.

Even without the inclusion of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, Bandai Namco’s lineup for the Switch 2 is shaping up to be impressive. Notable titles include the highly anticipated Switch 2 version of Elden Ring, expected in the future, and Tamagotchi Plaza, set for launch on June 27. Additionally, the Dark Pac-Man spin-off, Shadow Labyrinth, is scheduled for release on July 18, with the company also working on Kirby Air Riders. The recent age rating is not the first indication of a potential Switch 2 version of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, as rumors about the port have circulated since March 2025.

If Bandai Namco’s title does release on the new console, it is likely to become a top choice for fighting game enthusiasts, amidst other confirmed titles like Street Fighter 6, which will be available from day one on the Switch 2.

Many fans of The Elder Scrolls series believe that the magic system in Oblivion is more complex and nuanced than that of Skyrim. This sentiment has contributed to a preference for Oblivion among certain gamers, particularly due to its intricate spell crafting system, which was absent in Skyrim.

In response, Bethesda is currently collecting player feedback on Oblivion Remastered, aiming to address any concerns and potentially implement improvements. Recent discussions among gamers playing The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered have brought to light opinions favoring its magic system over that of Skyrim.

Although Skyrim is the most successful title in the Elder Scrolls franchise, with over 40 million copies sold, many players argue that it represents a step back in terms of magic mechanics. Oblivion, released in 2006, modernized the Elder Scrolls formula and sold more than nine million units.

Now, with the Remastered edition, gamers are reliving the classic experience, enhanced by better graphics and quality-of-life improvements. A standout discussion was initiated by an Elder Scrolls fan named jacklondon183, who asserted that Oblivion’s magic system is superior, featuring deeper mechanics and the ability for players to cast spells without equipping them as weapons, thereby keeping their hands free.

This post garnered considerable support, receiving over 22,000 upvotes, with many players echoing sentiments that Skyrim’s system is a downgrade. While many gamers are enjoying Oblivion Remastered, some have expressed dissatisfaction with specific changes, such as alterations to the Dark Brotherhood’s atmosphere due to the new lighting system.

Others have noted that the overall brightness of the remastered game feels too muted, making the environment appear somewhat bland. Bethesda is actively seeking feedback through a designated Discord channel to address these concerns, hoping to enhance the overall player experience in the coming weeks.

A dedicated Pokemon fan has unveiled an imaginative re-imagining of Applin, introducing a delightful pineapple variant called Pineapplin. This fresh design portrays Pineapplin as an Electric/Dragon-type Pokemon and suggests a quirky evolution named “Hawaiin,” envisioned as a pineapple pizza dragon. The creative concept has garnered a positive response from fellow fans, who appreciated both the humor inherent in the evolution’s backstory and the intricate details of the new Applin variant. The Pokemon franchise is well-known for its various reinterpretations of previous Pokemon, including regional variants and unique new designs.

Recent titles like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have showcased numerous revamped forms of classic Pokemon, such as a regional variant of Wooper and a faux regional variation of Diglett. In this spirit of creativity, the latest fan concept presents a tropical twist on Applin, reflecting the franchise’s trend of inspiring fans to develop their original ideas for Pokemon. Series mascots like Pikachu and Eevee often serve as popular muses for fans creating their renditions of these beloved creatures. Compositions vary from Water-type Pikachu designs to entirely new Eeveelutions.

Some enthusiasts take creative liberties, crafting human interpretations or realistic versions of well-known Pokemon, including figures like Klefki and Urshifu. This latest contribution highlights a refreshing take on Applin with Pineapplin. Presented on the “Fakemon” subreddit, Reddit user Matratzfratz displayed this vibrant artwork, describing Pineapplin as a popular “Rental Pokemon.” The playful evolution concept also humorously notes that evolving Pineapplin is “highly frowned upon.”

The transition to an Electric type adds another layer of creativity. Fans have responded with enthusiasm, expressing admiration for both the design and its fun references, particularly the ongoing pineapple-on-pizza debate. Exciting developments are on the horizon for the Pokemon franchise. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company are preparing for the release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, a new installment succeeding the well-received Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Additionally, the Pokemon Trading Card Game anticipates new content, including a Team Rocket-themed set and the return of Mega Evolutions. As the franchise evolves, it continues to inspire fans to express their passion through imaginative creations.

Subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass have become integral to the gaming experience, providing players with a diverse selection of games for a regular fee. However, their long-term sustainability in the gaming industry is now under scrutiny.

Increasing prices, the removal of popular titles, and stagnant revenue growth have raised concerns about the viability of these models moving forward. Mat Piscatella, an analyst at Circana, has expressed skepticism about the future dominance of subscription services in gaming.

He acknowledges that while they will play a role, they will not be the primary driving force behind the industry. Recent price hikes for PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions further exacerbate worries about the effectiveness of this model.

Despite the initial excitement surrounding these services, their growth appears to be waning. A notable example of this decline is Sony’s decision to remove 22 games from PS Plus, including high-profile titles like Grand Theft Auto 5.

This move paints a bleak picture for the future of subscription services, especially considering that U.S. spending on these platforms has plateaued since the spikes observed during 2020 and 2021. Piscatella did note a slight uptick in spending during late 2024, largely attributed to the release of Call of Duty games on Game Pass.

While this resulted in a temporary revenue increase for Xbox, it seems to be more of an exception than a sustained pattern. He suggests that while subscription services may not dominate the future of gaming, they will certainly remain a part of it.

In discussing the shifts within the industry, Piscatella further mentioned that some companies are moving away from a heavy reliance on subscriptions, while others continue to harness the model’s potential to engage new audiences. The future of subscription services in the gaming landscape, and how they may adapt, is still uncertain.

Infinity Nikki is introducing an exciting dye system in Version 1.5, allowing players to customize their characters’ hair, clothing, and special effects. Players can utilize various palettes, each featuring eight color options, to create unique looks. These palettes will unlock progressively as players complete outfits and reach different Evolution stages. Each outfit can store up to seven personalized Dyeing Schemes, which can be effortlessly shared through QR codes or within the game.

The developers at Infold initially hinted at the dye feature during the Bullquet event in Version 1.3, generating buzz within the community. Originally, dyes were planned to launch alongside housing features, but the latter has been postponed to Summer 2025. Players had some foresight into how the DIY Workshop would operate due to data leaks, but detailed explanations from Infold have clarified the system’s functionality. In Version 1.5, the DIY Workshop will emphasize its compatibility with 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star outfits.

One significant feature is the ability to dye special effects, which becomes available for certain 5-Star outfits after achieving three Evolutions. To unlock additional colors in palettes, players need to utilize dye materials, encouraging them to evolve their outfits. The DIY Workshop has the potential to showcase a player’s creativity, with customizable
patterns for the outfits that can be attained through World Quests and other gameplay features. Players can expect a range of palettes depending on their outfits’ star ratings, with 5-Star outfits offering the most extensive choices.

As players enhance their outfits through Evolutions, they will unlock additional palettes and dye options, including the coveted “Custom Color” palette for ultimate customization. Celebrating the launch of Version 1.5, a special event called Rainbow and Pattern will reward players for completing dyeing tasks. This significant update is slated for release on April 29 and will run until June 4. As future updates unfold, more outfits and customization options are expected to be included in the DIY Workshop.

World of Warcraft’s Children’s Week has undergone a significant overhaul, introducing a plethora of new content including four new orphans, a fresh currency, and various rewards. Players have the opportunity to adopt orphans, complete questlines for rewards, and trade in Well-loved Figurines.

Additionally, WoW Classic players can join in on the fun, earning experience, reputation, and pets through the event. The revamped Children’s Week is live in World of Warcraft until May 5, inviting players to explore the new quests and activities.

This short holiday enables players to temporarily adopt orphans from the many conflicts in Azeroth and embark on journeys while completing various quests. Despite receiving updates in the past, the last major enhancement occurred during the Battle for Azeroth expansion, when new orphans were introduced in Boralus and Dazar’alor.

After a six-year hiatus, Blizzard has now added substantial new content for Children’s Week. Players can adopt four new orphans from the prominent Renown factions in World of Warcraft: The War Within, including Skibbles the Kobold, Destien the Arathi, Kitzy the Goblin, and Threadis the Nerubian.

Questlines related to these characters can be started from Ullna, the Earthen Matron in Training located in Dornogal, running until May 4. Alongside the new orphans, players can earn Well-loved Figurines, a new currency specifically for the event.

These Figurines can be exchanged for exciting rewards from vendors like Jepetto Joybuzz in Dornogal, Brundia Braidhammer in Stormwind, and Leial Knitterton in Orgrimmar. Players can acquire new pets such as the Helpful Workshop Bot, Argos lynx, and Goggles hyena, as well as ensembles for the Children’s Stormwind and Orgrimmar Guard Weapon Sets.

Though no new achievements have been added besides the existing ones, fans can still work on the For the Children meta-achievement and progress towards the Violet Proto-Drake mount. Additionally, Children’s Week is available in WoW Classic during the same time frame, offering players a chance to adopt orphans and earn valuable rewards while boosting their characters through various quests.

Players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 are expressing a strong desire for an expanded version of the beloved Nuketown map. They are particularly interested in opening up the main road and additional houses to create more space for gunfights, specifically to alleviate issues like spawn-trapping in modes such as Nuketown 24/7 and Chaos Nuketown. The upcoming Season 3 Reloaded will introduce a new variant called “Blazetown,” further fueling excitement within the community. Nuketown has been a staple in the Call of Duty franchise for years and remains a fan favorite.

Despite having retained its original design, it was incorporated into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 shortly after its release on November 1. Following the launch, players could enjoy the Nuketown 24/7 mode, which allowed endless matches on this iconic map. A notable update in April brought Chaos Nuketown, a variant designed for 10v10 matches that increased score and time limits, heightening the action and offering players opportunities to utilize double XP tokens during intense close-range fights. Within the community, players like Reddit user Stegosaurus69 advocate for a more expansive Nuketown to improve the existing gameplay experience.

They argue that by enlarging the map, particularly opening the houses and main road, it could help mitigate the longstanding spawn-trapping issues related to the map since its introduction in 2010’s Call of Duty: Black Ops. Others have even proposed separate playlist modes for the expanded version and the classic Nuketown, giving players options in their match selections. While no official plans for an expanded Nuketown have been confirmed, the forthcoming Season 3 Reloaded will unveil Blazetown, a 420-themed rendition of the original. Players can also look forward to new gameplay experiences, including unique modes like Joint Operations, which will feature various modifiers, making for a fresh and engaging experience in Black Ops 6.

In a recent display of creativity, dedicated players of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered have successfully recreated the beloved Darth Kermit meme. This achievement highlights the impressive capabilities of the game’s character creation system.

The customization options available have allowed users to design characters ranging from pop icons like Taylor Swift to quirky figures such as Nigel Thornberry. Oblivion has long been celebrated for its intricate character creator, often regarded as one of the best in Bethesda’s lineup.

The game’s remaster, developed by studio Virtuos, retained the original character design system while upgrading its visuals to meet modern standards. This combination ensures players have access to a robust set of customization tools while enjoying improved graphics.

Two Reddit users, Flannel_Devil and Imaginary_Priority_1, exemplified this creative freedom by recreating the Darth Kermit meme, sometimes referred to as “Sith Kermit.” Flannel_Devil’s version gained significant attention, receiving nearly 10,000 upvotes on the r/Oblivion subreddit in late April 2025.

Following this, Imaginary_Priority_1 shared their own interpretation, showcasing a similar artistic vision. Both players approached the task by selecting the Argonian race, adjusting its skin tones to match Kermit the Frog’s hue, and outfitting the character in the Black Hand Robe—a reward for completing the Dark Brotherhood questline.

This questline remains a fan favorite, adding nostalgia to the creative process. This trend of inventive character designs has continued to flourish since the remaster’s launch on April 22.

Players have crafted not only popular characters but also horrifying monsters, demonstrating the flexibility and appeal of Oblivion Remastered’s character creator. As this vibrant community continues to explore its options, it may influence the design of character customization in The Elder Scrolls 6, currently in development by Bethesda.

The developers behind Overwatch 2 have recently unveiled some scrapped ideas for skins connected to their Gundam Wing crossover. The much-anticipated event includes new character skins that will be available until May 12. Among the cut concepts were designs for Tallgeese Ana, Heavyarms Mauga, and a pilot version of D.Va. Although these skins didn’t move beyond the drawing board, they reflect the creative direction the collaboration could have taken.

The official crossover event features popular skins that players can purchase, including Mercy as Wing Gundam Zero, Ramattra as Epyon, Soldier: 76 as Tallgeese, and Reaper as Deathscythe. For those interested, these skins can be acquired individually for 2800 Overwatch Coins or as a full bundle for 5900 Overwatch Coins from April 29 to May 12. In interviews with outlets like Comicbook and GameSpot, associate director Aimee Dennett and art director Dion Rogers discussed the rationale behind the final selections and the discarded concepts. Dennett noted that initial ideas might seem like good matches but may not hold up in practice.

For instance, while the design for Heavyarms Mauga’s weapons was praised, the overall execution wasn’t regarded as strong as the chosen skins. Interestingly, this event marks the first time there are four heroes with previously established skins in a collaboration. Despite Ana initially being considered for the Tallgeese skin due to weapon similarities, Soldier: 76 was favored for its more recognizable silhouette. Dennett emphasized their commitment to making successful visual and thematic choices in crossover designs.

Ramattra serves as a robotic character in this collaboration, an intentional choice due to the challenges of transforming Omnic heroes into Gundam-themed skins. The unique considerations led to dynamic designs that can significantly alter the character’s portrayal while maintaining recognizable features, particularly for Mercy, whose skin has been completely transformed. Though these scrapped skin ideas linger in the imagination of fans, the success of Overwatch 2’s collaborations encourages the possibility of future Gundam-themed skins. As the game continues to evolve, offerings such as the recent crossover with LE SSERAFIM suggest that players can look forward to even more creative integrations in the future.

The absence of DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3 is a testament to Larian Studios’ commitment to developer satisfaction over potential profits. Director Swen Vincke has stated that the team is prioritizing the well-being of its developers, aiming for happier creators to craft a better gaming experience for players. As they transition from Baldur’s Gate 3 to new, ambitious projects, the news might disappoint some fans, but it emphasizes a philosophy of quality over quantity in game development. Vincke has shed light on why no DLC has been developed for Baldur’s Gate 3.

While the game has seen ongoing updates—such as the introduction of new sub-classes—Vincke made it clear that the studio is turning its attention to fresh endeavors. Although downloadable content can rejuvenate interest in a game, it runs the risk of being perceived as a mere cash grab if not done correctly. Larian’s experience led them to recognize a lack of passion for pursuing DLC, despite the financial incentives it could offer. Vincke believes that a happy developer contributes significantly to cultivating satisfied players, and thus the decision to move on from DLC was ultimately in the studio’s best interest.

He acknowledged that the team initially saw DLC as a path they “were supposed to follow.” However, they opted for a change, citing the importance of work that inspires joy among the developers. Following Patch 8’s release, Larian candidly stated that they are embarking on new and ambitious projects. While details remain scarce, Vincke confident that their ongoing efforts will yield exciting results for gamers.

The team’s position reveals their intention to foster an environment where passionate developers can channel their creativity into high-quality titles that resonate with audiences.