Month: June 2025

Since its official launch on June 6, Splitgate 2 has experienced significant growth, with its player base tripling since the open beta phase. This surge has largely been attributed to the game’s successful release on consoles, attracting a wide variety of players who appreciate its fast-paced gameplay.

Despite some recent controversies surrounding microtransactions and public appearances by the developers, interest in this free-to-play shooter from 1047 Games remains high. 1047 Games CEO Ian Prolux stirred some discussion during the Summer Game Fest by wearing a controversial hat with the slogan “Make FPS Great Again.” This choice resulted in backlash from some fans, prompting Prolux to apologize on social media, emphasizing that his intentions were not to offend the game’s community.

Splitgate 2 introduces three unique Factions, enabling players to customize their loadouts and harness special abilities. While the exact player count hasn’t been disclosed, peak concurrent players on Steam soared to 25,785 shortly after launch, with current numbers around 14,665.

However, the overall player base is likely larger, especially considering the game’s popularity across various consoles. Looking ahead, the developers have promised a roadmap filled with updates, including new maps and unique power weapons.

The revamped game utilizing Unreal Engine 5 not only retains familiar portal mechanics but enhances them with new features, factions, maps, and even a battle royale mode. As players engage in strategic gameplay, teaming up to dominate the battlefield, Splitgate 2 positions itself for enduring popularity.

With features like flanking via portal gun mechanics and large-scale multiplayer modes, it aims to captivate both new and returning players in the coming months.

Fast Fusion has announced its first content update, which introduces significant changes aimed at addressing player feedback. Following its launch as a Nintendo Switch 2 title, the update will reinstate a revised track from Fast RMX, a title beloved by fans of the series. This update signifies a commitment to enhancing the gaming experience, particularly for those who have been vocal about their concerns since the game’s release.

One of the major features of this update is the introduction of a new “PURE” graphics mode, designed to improve visual clarity. Even though Fast Fusion leverages the advanced capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 to deliver a 4K gaming experience, some players reported issues with blurriness. The new mode will eliminate anti-aliasing and reprojection techniques, helping players maintain better visual awareness during fast-paced racing.

In addition to the graphics improvements, the update promises the return of the Alpine Thrust track, featuring enhanced visuals and gameplay mechanics. However, developer Shin’en Multimedia has not yet detailed which other tracks might be making a comeback or the total number of additional courses being added. While Fast Fusion offers a unique racing experience with 12 tracks and new gameplay features at an appealing price point, it currently does face criticism for lacking online matchmaking—something that is provided by competitors like Mario Kart World.

As of now, the specific release date for the content update has yet to be disclosed. Players should temper expectations as the team has been developing this update even before the game’s official launch. Fast Fusion holds potential for enjoyment, especially for those who have just invested in a Nintendo Switch 2, making it a title worth exploring for new owners of the console.

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War is currently available for free on GOG.com until June 18, 2025. This turn-based strategy game features unique gameplay styles and technological trees for four distinct factions from the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Additionally, players can access various DLC packs at discounts of up to 76%, introducing new factions such as Adepta Sororitas, Chaos Space Marines, and Tau Empire. Developed by Proxy Studios and published by Slitherine Ltd., Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War originally launched on PC in 2018.

It immerses players in the fierce struggle for dominance over Gladius Prime, featuring multiple factions vying for control. The popularity of the Warhammer 40,000 brand has surged in recent years, with numerous titles across various genres released annually, ranging from action titles like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 to narrative-driven RPGs such as Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. This growth has expanded the franchise beyond its origins in tabletop wargaming. Over the past two decades, the Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 franchises have produced a remarkable array of strategy games.

Among them, Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War stands out as a game that captures the strategic essence of the Warhammer 40K universe. Available for free during this limited-time offer, players can easily add it to their library through GOG.com. Steam users had the opportunity to claim it for free in June 2023 during a similar promotion. The base game allows players to choose from four powerful factions: the Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Orks, and Necrons.

Each faction offers a distinctive gameplay approach and tech tree, enabling tailored strategies to conquer Gladius Prime. Players will build cities, fortifications, and armies—as well as experience unique stories and events rich in Warhammer 40,000 lore. For those wanting more variety, the ongoing sale features significant discounts on most DLC packs. These add new factions, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Fans of strategic play should take advantage of this opportunity to acquire Gladius while it’s free, as it is regarded as one of the best Warhammer 40K games, offering thoughtful, engaging strategic gameplay.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has made history by selling over 3.5 million units within just four days of its launch, breaking the company’s previous sales records. This impressive figure highlights the console’s strong performance, surpassing the original Switch’s sales during the same initial period.

The figures encompass all configurations, including the popular Mario Kart World bundle. Launched on June 5, the Switch 2 quickly became the fastest-selling console in Nintendo’s history, according to a statement made by the company on June 10.

Key factors contributing to these strong sales include significant hardware improvements over its predecessor and the inclusion of a desirable bundle at launch. To ensure a smooth rollout, Nintendo and its retail partners worked diligently to manage pre-orders and stock levels, curbing scalping practices that have plagued previous console launches.

The Switch 2 boasts several upgrades, including a more powerful Nvidia processor and support for DLSS upscaling technology. This allows the console to enhance the performance and graphical quality of existing titles, such as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and Super Mario Odyssey, through free downloadable updates.

With exciting launch titles and further content updates on the horizon, the console seems poised for continued popularity. Though the initial sales numbers are impressive, the future performance of the Switch 2 remains uncertain.

The original Switch sold over 2.7 million units in less than a month, eventually becoming one of the best-selling game consoles of all time. As Nintendo and retailers work to keep stock levels high, upcoming game releases, such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, are expected to maintain the Switch 2’s momentum throughout the summer.

Only time will reveal how this new console will compare to its predecessors in the long run.

The PC version of Dune: Awakening has made an impressive debut, boasting over 142,000 concurrent players. Funcom, the game’s developer, has confirmed that work is ongoing for the Xbox and PlayStation versions, which are now expected to be released sometime in 2026.

Fans of the franchise will have to exercise patience as they await the console launch, set in the arid landscape of Arrakis, Dune: Awakening is a vast multiplayer survival game deeply tied to Frank Herbert’s iconic science fiction saga. Initially slated for release on May 20, 2025, Funcom delayed the game briefly to June 10 to accommodate one last beta phase.

This extra testing attracted about 38,000 concurrent players, quite notable given that access was limited to pre-order customers. Following this, early access for Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners saw the player count surge to over 93,000 within a few hours, indicating a promising outlook for the game’s launch.

With the PC version now live, Funcom has provided updates regarding console players. While a specific release date has yet to be announced, the studio reassured fans that development on both Xbox and PlayStation versions is progressing.

Alongside the game’s launch, Funcom also introduced its first DLC, “Wildlife of Arrakis,” which offers players the chance to enhance their base with intricately designed statues of famous creatures from the desert, such as the majestic Sandworm and Muad’Dib. Funcom has emphasized that Dune: Awakening will follow a traditional model where players make a one-time purchase, avoiding subscription fees and microtransactions.

Instead, they can choose to buy optional DLCs to enhance their experience. While the firm date for the console release remains vague, the ongoing development efforts indicate a committed push towards a successful launch.

As highlighted by Scott Junior, Funcom’s chief product officer, optimizing Dune: Awakening for the demanding Xbox Series S has posed challenges, which influenced the decision to focus first on the PC version.

Fortnite is introducing exciting new pet cosmetics that will only be visible to the player using them and their teammates. This feature aims to reduce visual clutter on the battlefield, which has drawn positive reactions from gamers worried about potential distractions during gameplay. Among the rumored pets is Krypto, Superman’s dog.

Recent leaks indicate that Krypto could join the game as a new pet, especially with Superman being one of the iconic superheroes introduced in Chapter 6 Season 3. Krypto is set to play a significant role in an upcoming superhero film by James Gunn, scheduled for release on July 11. It remains uncertain whether Krypto will be available in the Item Shop or as part of Superman’s cosmetics in the battle pass for this season.

Players may also summon Krypto using an item called Krypto’s Treat, which functions similarly to a grenade. When thrown at enemies, Krypto will land excitedly, potentially damaging foes nearby. Additionally, prominent leaker Loolo_WRLD hinted at the possibility of a new game mode for Fortnite.

This announcement further fuels the excitement surrounding the game’s evolving content. While the exact release date for the pet cosmetics is still unknown, many leakers believe they will launch during Chapter 6 Season 3. In other news, speculation about a new map for Fortnite has also surfaced.

Leaks suggest a potential crossover with The Simpsons, which could introduce Springfield as a mini-season location. This new map is expected to be smaller in size, akin to the maps from Fortnite Reload. With a fresh season and more content on the horizon, fans of Fortnite are feeling optimistic about what the future holds for the battle royale experience.

Rare skins are making a comeback in Marvel Rivals on June 12 at 7 PM PDT for a limited time. Players will be excited to see the Future Foundation skins for The Thing and Invisible Woman available for purchase that day. Additionally, gamers can claim a free Future Foundation skin for Mister Fantastic through the Combat Chest. The announcement comes as Marvel Rivals has also introduced a new game mode, Ultron’s Battle Matrix Protocol, which allows players to enjoy tactical grid-based combat.

The reintroduction of The Thing and Invisible Woman’s Future Foundation skins has generated significant enthusiasm among the player base. However, the game developers from NetEase Games have yet to disclose the prices of these new cosmetics. Alongside the Future Foundation skins, players can also engage with the Combat Chest to obtain Mister Fantastic’s skin. While the Combat Chest allows players to purchase all of the hero’s Future Foundation cosmetics, the specific skin is available for free, enticing players to participate actively in the game.

Notably, the recent Weapon X skin for Duelist Wolverine has been trending in the community. NetEase Games confirmed on Twitter that several of the game’s rarest skins will return, including Captain America’s Galactic Talon bundle and Hawkeye’s Galactic Fangs bundle. These items haven’t been in the shop since Season 0, and many fans who began playing in Season 1 have been eagerly awaiting their return. Moreover, patch notes for the June 12 update indicate that various holiday-themed skins will also be available, including Venom’s Snow Symbiote skin and Magik’s Frozen Demon bundle.

Players should be ready to act quickly, as these rare cosmetics will only be available for a week. Fans remain hopeful about the future of Marvel Rivals, especially as NetEase Games has shown a willingness to revisit older cosmetics based on player feedback.

Alex Hutchinson, the developer at Raccoon Logic, has expressed concerns regarding the impact of Xbox Game Pass on the video game industry. He argues that the subscription service devalues content, ultimately hurting revenue across the industry. Hutchinson’s studio is known for its game, Revenge of the Savage Planet, which was released in May 2025 and made available on Xbox Game Pass on its launch day. The discussion about the merits and drawbacks of Microsoft’s gaming subscription model has been polarizing.

Many developers, industry analysts, and even former Sony Interactive CEO, Jim Ryan, have labeled Xbox Game Pass as “destructive.” Ryan pointed out that the general consensus among publishers is negative, and analyst Mat Piscatella has suggested that neither Xbox Game Pass nor PlayStation Plus represents the future of gaming. Despite the initial cash influx from the Game Pass deal, Hutchinson revealed that it has hurt overall sales and revenue. He had anticipated that making the game available to subscribers on launch day would encourage additional purchases, such as downloadable content (DLC).

However, the anticipated interest in DLC, such as The Cosmic Hoarder Upgrade priced at $9.99, has not materialized as hoped. Hutchinson also highlighted the long-term consequences of the Game Pass model for developers. While the financial support from Microsoft helped with development, ongoing sales have not been sufficient to sustain the studio. He believes that the model could contribute to the closure of studios and a reduction in game production, as players may undervalue content they perceive as “free.”

Hutchinson advocates for a shift in the industry, suggesting that games should be added to subscription services only after a year—similar to the staggered release model in the film industry. Although this sentiment was once echoed by former PlayStation chief Shuhei Yoshida, recent developments show that PlayStation is also now including day-one titles in its subscription service, complicating the path forward for this approach.

Magic: The Gathering Arena has recently experienced a surge in player count, reaching an all-time high largely due to the introduction of a new Final Fantasy set. This collaboration, which honors the iconic franchise developed by Square Enix that has captivated gamers since its initial release in 1987, saw Arena surpass its previous peak of 12,000 players, hitting an impressive 17,261.

This record spike has led fans to speculate that the success of this partnership might pave the way for future sets featuring other franchises, such as Xenoblade and Mortal Kombat. Magic: The Gathering, which debuted in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast, has evolved into one of the most popular collectible and tabletop card games globally.

Known for its complexity, the game draws inspiration from various fantasy RPGs, including Dungeons & Dragons. The Final Fantasy set was launched under MTG’s Universes Beyond series, celebrating the series’ 16 mainline games.

With this collaboration, card collectors and gamers have been treated to a nostalgic experience that many hope signals the direction for future remakes, especially following the popularity of Final Fantasy 7. Shortly after the digital release of the Final Fantasy set, player activity on Steam spiked significantly.

A Reddit user shared a screenshot from the “magicTCG” subreddit highlighting the player count skyrocketing just one hour post-launch. Despite the substantial increase among Steam users, there’s an understanding that many more players engage with the game on iOS or Android platforms, which means the true player count could be even higher.

In addition to nostalgia, some fans have noted elements in the game that hint at potential storylines in future releases, specifically referencing a Sephiroth card linked to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake. This connection not only adds excitement to the MTG offering but also bridges two beloved gaming universes.

As the physical release of the set approaches on June 13, 2025, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Magic: The Gathering and its continued integration with the beloved worlds of Final Fantasy.

On June 12, Marvel Rivals will introduce the highly anticipated Future Foundation skins for Invisible Woman and The Thing at 7 PM PDT. This update offers fans not just these new looks, but also the return of some of the game’s rarest skins to the shop. Notably, Mister Fantastic’s Future Foundation skin will be offered for free in the Season 2.5 Combat Chest, allowing players to unlock it without spending additional resources. The recently released Season 2.5 update has garnered positive feedback from players, primarily due to the addition of Ultron, a flying Strategist character who adds a new dimension to gameplay.

Players can expect an exciting showcase of the new skins, including unique gameplay footage that showcases their design and features. NetEase Games has hinted at a wide variety of returning cosmetics to complement the new skins on June 12. Among the fan-favorite bundles making a comeback are the Galactic Talon for Captain America and Galactic Fangs for Hawkeye. Additionally, players will have the opportunity to snag holiday-themed skins from 2024, featuring popular characters like Venom, Magik, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot.

However, fans need to hurry, as these skins will only be available for purchase for one week after their drop. Community buzz is building over the recently launched Weapon X skin for Duelist Wolverine, and excitement continues to grow for the Future Foundation skins. While the pricing details are still under wraps, there is some speculation about potential emote features that might allow players to transform their outfits from white to black. This dynamic change could provide a fresh aesthetic experience.

As excitement builds for the Future Foundation costumes, players are also eager to see when Spider-Man’s version of this iconic outfit will make its debut. With so much new content on the horizon, the future looks bright for Marvel Rivals and its dedicated community.