Month: July 2025

HoYoverse has exciting news for Genshin Impact fans with the announcement of the Teyvat Expo, a major exhibition scheduled to take place in Paris from September 13 to 21, 2025. This large-scale event aims to unveil new content and provide unique activities for attendees, marking a significant milestone since it will be the first HoYoverse event outside of China.

Since the launch of Genshin Impact in September 2020, HoYoverse has regularly held conventions related to the popular game, including the recent Genshin Impact Concert Tour in London. The latest livestream hinted at an upcoming Summer Event, alongside the introduction of the new region, Nod-Krai, which will feature its second playable character.

The Teyvat Expo promises an impressive array of exhibits, occupying over 1,000 square meters. Attendees can expect to see stunning concept art showcasing characters, locations, and monsters, highlighted by the debut of Genshin Impact’s Five Yakshas artwork.

The exhibition will focus on various major regions from the game, particularly Nod-Krai, which is set for release shortly before the event on September 10. Visitors can participate in interactive activities, including mini-games themed around Nod-Krai and an exclusive Genshin Impact 6.0 demo area.

Each attendee will receive a Commemorative Ticket Set that includes a commemorative ticket, a ticket holder, an exhibition guide, a custom photo booth voucher, and a special Nod-Krai-themed gift. In addition, the expo will feature cultural collaborations with curated art pieces interpreting Teyvat from the perspective of French artists, alongside exclusive merchandise yet to be announced.

Overall, the Teyvat Expo is shaping up to be a captivating affair for fans eager to explore the creative journey behind Genshin Impact as the game approaches its ninth year. Tickets for the event went on sale on July 18.

Genshin Impact is set to introduce exciting new character skins with the upcoming Version 5.8 update, featuring fresh outfits for Bennett and Yelan. Developed by HoYoverse, this open-world RPG boasts a multitude of engaging features that allow players to spend their hard-earned Primogems and Genesis Crystals. Among these features, the gacha system plays a pivotal role in helping players acquire new characters and weapons, while the in-game shop offers bundles containing valuable resources. However, new skins have emerged as one of the most popular aspects of the game, drawing players’ enthusiasm.

The concept of character skins began with the Version 1.6 update, and Genshin Impact has since expanded its offerings, releasing skins for a variety of beloved characters. Typically, HoYoverse introduces skin pairs twice a year, featuring a premium outfit for a five-star character and another for a four-star character. Earlier this year, the Version 5.3 update provided new skins for fan-favorite Liyue characters, Hu Tao and Xiangling. With the reveal of new skins for Bennett and Yelan in Version 5.8, players are in for another treat.

The newly released “Teyvat Style” teaser trailer showcases the distinct aesthetics of both character skins. Bennett’s new look, inspired by the latest region of Natlan, incorporates shades of black and orange, echoing the theme of the area. Yelan’s outfit contrasts with its elegance, featuring a stunning dress adorned with a fur cowl and star patterns. While Yelan’s skin will likely be available through the premium shop, Bennett’s skin is anticipated to be offered as a free reward during the flagship event.

Alongside these new skins, Version 5.8 promises plenty of additional content. Players can expect a new summer event, marking the first permanent summer zone in Genshin Impact, along with re-runs for several Natlan characters, including Mualani, Chasca, and Citlali, alongside the newly introduced Ineffa. Scheduled for release on July 30, Version 5.8 is poised to set the stage for the upcoming Nod-Krai region, which will deepen the narrative of Genshin Impact with new characters and plots. As players embark on their journey across Teyvat, they will immerse themselves in a world brimming with elemental energy and intriguing mysteries.

The Sims 4 has addressed a frustrating pregnancy bug that has been impacting many players. With the recent launch of the Enchanted by Nature expansion pack, which introduces a variety of whimsical magical and fairy-themed content, the timing of the bug’s emergence has raised concerns among fans. The glitch was first noticed shortly after a major game update on July 1.

Players reported issues such as the “Try For Baby” option disappearing during WooHoo, flat pregnancy bellies, and various other pregnancy-related problems. These glitches coincided with the expansion pack’s release on July 10, diminishing the experience for many eager players. On July 16, the developers announced a fix for the pregnancy bug in an update, stating that the issues stemmed from performance optimizations made during the earlier update.

They reverted the changes to restore the functionality of pregnancy-related features, including mods that had become ineffective after the update. Players reported numerous issues that were fixed, including the absence of the “Try For Baby” option in specific WooHoo locations, the disappearance of the pregnancy test option, incorrect tagging of non-pregnant Sims, and problems with mods related to pregnancy. Although many players noticed improvements, some continued to encounter the same issues, as expressed in a discussion thread on the EA Forums.

Suggestions for troubleshooting included creating new Sim pregnancies or starting a fresh game save. Over the years, The Sims 4 community has faced a mix of entertaining and vexing bugs, and the developers have committed to promptly addressing concerns. With mixed reviews surrounding Enchanted by Nature, only time will tell how players will feel about the DLC and its quirky content.

Recent reports suggest that the anticipated release of Fallout 5 has led to the cancellation of ZeniMax Online Studios’ latest MMORPG, known as Project Blackbird. This claim has been reiterated by Jez Corden, a reputable Microsoft insider with a history of providing accurate information regarding the company. In a podcast episode from mid-July 2025, Corden revealed that Bethesda had received the green light for Fallout 5, which seemingly influenced ZeniMax’s decision to halt development on Blackbird.

Corden returned to this topic just a few days later during another podcast episode, reinforcing his initial claims regarding Fallout 5’s approval and Blackbird’s cancellation. He initially framed his comments as speculation but later indicated that he had gained confirmation following an all-hands meeting at Microsoft. During this meeting, an inquiry was made addressing the reasons for Blackbird’s cancellation, with leadership indicating that strategic focus was shifting towards different projects.

Although Fallout 5 was not explicitly identified as the cause, the timing suggested its role was significant. Additionally, the decision to cancel an untested MMORPG like Blackbird seems relatively understandable, given the current market dynamics and the rising popularity of the Fallout franchise, especially after the success of Amazon’s television adaptation. It is rumored that multiple Fallout games are currently in development, including a potential remaster of Fallout 3, likely handled by an external team.

Despite the excitement surrounding Fallout 5, it is anticipated that this title will not be released anytime soon. Bethesda is currently concentrating its efforts on The Elder Scrolls 6, which entered production around the time Starfield was finalized in 2023. With the extended development cycles typical for AAA titles, Fallout 5 may not arrive until well after 2033.

Jordynne Grace, known as a star in NXT and a playable character in WWE 2K25, has expressed her desire to see her memorable TNA Wrestling matches included in the game’s Showcase mode. WWE 2K25, released in March 2025, features a thrilling array of downloadable content (DLC) planned for the year that adds new wrestlers and special guests.

Grace is slated to be part of the upcoming Fearless Pack DLC, set to release on July 23, 2025, alongside notable figures like Penta, Bull Nakano, New Jack, and a rumored celebrity guest, KSI. Grace’s journey includes her debut in WWE during the 2024 women’s Royal Rumble as the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion.

By 2025, she had officially signed with WWE and became an active performer in NXT. In a recent interview with Gaming Bible, Grace shared her enthusiasm about being part of WWE 2K25’s roster.

She highlighted two matches from her TNA career that she hopes to be included in Showcase mode: her 2020 championship bout against Deonna Purazzo at TNA Slammiversary and her contest with Masha Slamovich during Bound for Glory last year. While those matches occur outside WWE events, the ongoing partnership between WWE and TNA suggests it may be feasible to feature her favorites in future installments of the game.

Additionally, WWE has featured several TNA stars, including Joe Hendry, enhancing the crossover between the two promotions. With the inclusion of TNA legend Abyss in the Dunk and Destruction DLC, there is potential for even more TNA personalities to appear in the WWE 2K lineup.

The roster of WWE 2K25 is the largest yet, showcasing a mix of current WWE and NXT talent alongside legendary wrestlers. With high-profile events like WWE Evolution taking place, the upcoming WWE 2K games could benefit greatly by offering a broader range of matches in the Showcase mode.

Genshin Impact players have reason to celebrate with the release of a new redeem code that offers valuable rewards, including Primogems and EXP materials. Recently, the developers shared exciting information regarding the upcoming Version 5.8 update, which promises a host of new content including a summer event, additional quests, and more. During a recent special livestream, the Genshin Impact team unveiled a range of features that will be included in the upcoming patch.

One of the highlights is a new Archon Quest Prelude that introduces players to Nod-Krai. Additionally, the much-anticipated summer event for Natlan will debut, along with a new permanent area that will enhance the game’s open-world map. To help players gear up, the livestream also featured promotional codes for in-game items, including a new redeem code that grants an easier path to acquiring Primogems.

In Version 5.8, players can now track how many Primogems will be available, allowing them to plan their character pulls effectively. The newly released promotional redeem code offers 60 Primogems and 5 Adventurer’s Experience. It is important to note that these codes are time-limited, so players should redeem them promptly.

While 60 Primogems may seem modest, they can still be beneficial for players looking to secure characters from the soon-to-be-released banners, particularly the new 5-star Electro polearm unit, Ineffa, and the return of popular characters like Citlali, Mualani, and Chasca. Looking ahead, HoYoverse is building excitement for Version 6.0 with a teaser trailer introducing the first Nod-Krai character, a striking woman with deer horns who has the ability to transform into a stag. Rumors also suggest that fan-favorites Varka and Columbina could soon join the roster.

While the wait for Version 6.0 continues, Version 5.8 is shaping up to offer rewarding experiences for players, particularly through the summer event, which will feature new skins for beloved characters Bennett and Yelan.

A recent study revealed that the average age of a Final Fantasy fan is 42, reflecting a significant challenge the franchise has faced over the years. As December 18 marks the 38th anniversary of Final Fantasy, the series has established itself as one of the longest-running JRPG franchises, as well as one of the enduring names in video gaming history. With a legacy that spans five decades, Final Fantasy has cultivated a mature fan base compared to most other video game franchises. This finding, based on a survey conducted by GEM Partners involving 180,000 respondents in Japan, sheds light on the demographic trends within the fan community.

The study presents two key interpretations. Firstly, the average age of 42 signals that Final Fantasy has successfully managed to retain its long-time fans, a trend seen in other legacy JRPGs like Dragon Quest. On the flip side, the data indicates that the franchise struggles to attract new players. Despite efforts such as mobile spin-offs and re-releases aimed at drawing a wider audience, the fan base remains predominantly older.

This challenge is reflected in the historical sales figures. Final Fantasy 14, originally released in 2010 and relaunched later, is the best-selling title with around 24 million sales, while the iconic Final Fantasy 7 from 1997 holds the record for single-player games at approximately 15 million. However, recent reports indicate that newer titles, including FF7 Rebirth and FF16, have struggled to meet sales expectations. While an apparent plateau in outreach might seem typical for long-standing franchises, Square Enix may wish to counter this trend and attract a younger demographic.

As the average age of gamers in the U.S. is estimated at 35, the company might aim to decrease the average fan age to better align with the overall gaming population and counter the rising costs of AAA game development.

Since the release of the 2.0 update, titled “Storm’s Brewing,” for 7 Days to Die in late June, the game has faced significant backlash from its player base. Longtime fans, who once celebrated every update, are now urging developer The Fun Pimps to revert the game to its previous state. The update was intended to introduce new biomes, resources, zombies, and storms while enhancing quality-of-life features, but player reactions have been far from positive. On Steam, where the game initially received an outstanding approval rating of 88 percent from over 257,000 reviewers, recent feedback has shifted to a “Mixed” status.

The last 30 days show only a 68 percent approval rating, signaling a growing discontent among players. Critiques have ranged from the alterations to gameplay mechanics to the slowdown of progression, with one prominent review claiming that the update represents “a betrayal of everything this game stood for.” While the introduction of biomes such as Burnt Forest, Pine Forest, Desert, Snow, and Wasteland is not inherently problematic, the accompanying challenges have become a point of contention. Players feel overwhelmed by the need to craft specific items to navigate these new environmental hazards, detracting from the core gameplay they enjoy.

This crafting requirement is seen as cumbersome, as it diverts attention from exploration and combat. Moreover, the addition of five new storm types has further complicated gameplay, hampering visibility and combat efficiency. While Patch 2.1, released on July 15, sought to address these issues by reducing the storms’ length and frequency, many fans remain unsatisfied. Calls for a rollback to earlier versions, back to when the game enjoyed widespread acclaim, continue to echo within the community.