Month: July 2025

Ready or Not has reached an impressive milestone, selling one million copies across PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S shortly after its much-anticipated console launch on July 15. Since its original release on PC in December 2022, it has maintained a strong player base, attracting thousands of gamers daily on Steam. Following its successful debut, the development team at Void Interactive released two expansions that helped keep the community engaged. The game made its console debut with some in-game content censored, which led to mixed reactions from players.

Nevertheless, the tactical shooter appears to be thriving after its transition to consoles. According to Void Interactive CEO Julio Rodriguez, the game achieved one million sales in approximately 3.6 days on consoles, a remarkable feat compared to the 36 days it took for the PC version to reach the same goal. Rodriguez expressed immense pride in his team’s achievement, calling it a “huge moment” for them. He also confirmed that the developers are addressing existing issues to enhance player experience, providing some relief to the Irish studio amid the challenges related to the PC version.

Despite facing review-bombing on Steam, Ready or Not enjoys a resurgence across both console and PC platforms. The game’s concurrent player count increased significantly following the Los Suenos Stories update accompanying the console launch, peaking at over 31,000 players—its highest figure since release. However, the game’s Steam page currently features “Mostly Negative” reviews. The latest update introduced not only controversial content changes but also fresh gameplay and story elements, including two new missions, four weapons, and various in-game enhancements.

While content updates have revitalized player interest, Void Interactive continues to face the challenge of improving community sentiment amidst ongoing negative feedback.

Players of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone have recently found themselves facing bans for AFK (away from keyboard) farming in the game’s Plunder mode. Activision, the developer, has taken a hardline approach against cheaters and bots over the last few months, resulting in a significant number of bans. While some players argue that AFKing in Plunder is harmless, Activision appears to have a different viewpoint.

Gaining experience points (XP) in Call of Duty can be challenging, especially in highly competitive ranked modes. As a result, players are constantly seeking quicker ways to level up. Plunder, an alternative game mode, offers a way to earn XP with minimal effort, leading to some players exploiting it by playing AFK.

Reports from Call of Duty news sources, like TheGhostOfHope, indicate that several players have been banned for this practice, with many sharing screenshots of permaban notifications due to “boosting.” Matches in Black Ops 6 and Warzone’s Plunder mode last up to 30 minutes and grant XP regardless of player involvement. This simple structure allows players to farm experience by entering matches and stepping away for a while.

However, this method is now under scrutiny, as Activision categorizes it as boosting, leading to permabans. The surge in bans aligns with a broader initiative by Activision against cheating and behavior that disrupts the gaming experience. Since the launch of Black Ops 6 in October 2024, over 228,000 accounts have been banned.

While many players might welcome the reduction of cheaters in competitive modes, some actions taken by Activision have sparked debate. For instance, prominent streamers like LastChanceFPS criticize the severity of treating non-contributors the same as hackers in Plunder matches. AFKing is not the sole focus of Activision’s crackdown; earlier in 2025, a player was handed a staggering 67-year ban for violating chat policies, effectively rendering them permanently banned.

It remains uncertain whether Activision will alter its stance on bans in light of player feedback, but for now, gamers should be cautious of their actions in the game.

Infinity Nikki has recently introduced a new redemption code, offering global players a variety of rewards. Users can redeem this code for 10 Resonite Crystals, 100 Diamonds, 28,888 Blings, 200 Shiny Bubbles, and 200 Threads of Purity.

Following a significant setback in Version 1.5, the developer, Infold, has been on a mission to rebuild the community’s trust. By delaying Version 1.6, Infold ensured that players received a stable experience devoid of game-breaking bugs.

The subsequent Version 1.7 brought a darker, more mature narrative featuring the poignant story of Sith and Alesiya. Despite these improvements, some players are still dissatisfied, as the game underwent an unusual retcon to its Prologue, and the co-op area in the Sea of Stars remains largely barren.

Consequently, a segment of the Infinity Nikki community continues to abstain from the game, pledging to return only once Infold rectifies the issues stemming from Version 1.5. On a brighter note, players are getting a glimpse of the upcoming Home feature through a preview shared by the developers.

For those actively engaged in collecting Diamonds, the recently issued promotional code could prove beneficial. While the amount of Diamonds offered is modest, it’s a small boon for players.

The code, valid from July 18, 2025, to July 18, 2026, allows users to claim their rewards conveniently. Looking ahead, Version 1.8 is set to introduce an ambitious new zone inspired by the Linlang Empire, along with double banners for featured 5-Star characters.

Although the housing feature has been postponed until Version 1.9, players appreciate the delay to ensure quality content. Celebrating a milestone of one million followers, Infold appears committed to advancing the narrative and gameplay of Infinity Nikki.

If they can move past the controversial aspects of Version 1.5, a robust redemption story may not be far off, as the quality of storytelling seems to be on the rise once again.

Digital Extremes is thrilled to announce that its upcoming MMORPG, Soulframe, is available for limited play during the TennoCon 2025 event. This new title showcases a dark and compelling universe resembling the intensity of games like Dark Souls. The developers have introduced various character interactions and gameplay styles, allowing players to immerse themselves in the game’s rich combat mechanics.

Now, fans have an exciting opportunity to experience Soulframe ahead of its official launch. TennoCon 2025 has proven to be a significant event for followers of Digital Extremes, featuring major updates not only for Soulframe but also for their flagship game, Warframe. During this event, Soulframe emphasized notable improvements to its combat system, including a revamped stagger system and enhancements designed specifically for bow mechanics.

The developers also unveiled new Pacts and introduced a captivating fable quest focused on the Waste Bear. Fans can participate in a limited-time free trial, giving them a unique glimpse into the game’s evolving landscape. According to reports from PCGamesN, players can sign up for Soulframe through its official website for access to the content from the “Preludes” closed alpha test.

However, it’s important to note that this trial version will not feature the latest content showcased at TennoCon, such as the Waste Bear quest or the new Mote system. Interested players must register by July 20 to take part in this exciting opportunity. With the limited availability of Soulframe, many fans will have their first chance to explore this intriguing MMORPG.

Digital Extremes has hinted at more forthcoming content, including new game areas and a companion character known as a “floppet.” As TennoCon continues, anticipation builds for further announcements regarding both Soulframe and Warframe, suggesting a promising future for fans of these games.

Borderlands 4 has introduced players to Vex, the playable Dark Siren, marking her as the first Vault Hunter developed for this upcoming installment. The art team has elaborated on Vex’s design, highlighting how her unique Siren action skills influence the color of her tattoos and enhance her capabilities, which include corrosive weapon effects and the summoning of Phase Pets. This new character joins a tradition in the Borderlands franchise, where each game includes a Siren as a playable option. Vex will be one of four Vault Hunters available at launch in September, with additional characters planned as downloadable content.

Unlike previous characters such as Amon the Forge Knight or Harlowe the Gravitar, Vex distinguishes herself with her dark attire and the ability to summon pets and clones that aid in combat. This provides players with numerous long-range strategies whether playing alone or in cooperative mode. In an unprecedented move, Randy Pitchford revealed the entirety of Borderlands 4’s world map, including all 200 collectible locations. During a presentation in the fourth episode of Beyond The Borderlands, members of the Gearbox Software art team, Max Davenport and Ashley Lyons, explained how Vex’s design integrates with her weapons and skills.

While Vex portrays a dark and edgy look, she utilizes vibrant colors, such as deep purples and bright pinks, for her action skills, creating a striking contrast. Lyons illustrated how Vex’s action skills could alter weapon colors, such as transforming a Tediore weapon with a corrosive element into a green version, thereby modifying its elemental damage. Davenport noted that Vex’s tattoos, vital features for Borderlands’ powerful Sirens, will also shift in hue following her action skills. Additionally, Vex’s Incarnate wings were introduced later in development, enhancing her overall design with intricate details.

Battlefield 6, the anticipated title in EA’s renowned first-person shooter series, is set for an official unveiling on July 31, 2025. This game was first confirmed in February and is being developed by a collaborative team from DICE, Motive Studios, Ripple Effect Studios, and Criterion Games, collectively known as Battlefield Studios.

Given that Battlefield is one of EA’s flagship franchises, its success holds significant importance for the gaming giant, especially following the disappointing reception of Battlefield 2042. In response to this feedback, EA has been proactive in attempting to regain player trust.

Earlier this year, they launched Battlefield Labs to conduct closed tests with select fans, allowing them to explore an early version of the new installment. As speculation about a reveal grew, a specific date has now been outlined for its announcement.

Initially, Battlefield 6 was expected to return to the essence of the series. However, concerns have been raised that it might replicate elements from Battlefield 2042, potentially jeopardizing its unique identity.

On July 31, EA plans to showcase gameplay, conduct developer interviews, and provide insights during a reveal event, inspired by Call of Duty: Next, which highlights updates in the Call of Duty franchise. Interestingly, this unveiling aligns with EA’s prior commitment to a “Summer 2025” full reveal.

Additional excitement surrounding Battlefield 6 has surfaced through leaks, including a gameplay clip that suggests the inclusion of a battle royale mode. Moreover, speculation about a possible public beta announcement has captured fans’ attention, hinting at more significant developments that could be shared during the upcoming reveal event.

With mounting interest, the gaming community is eager for more news about this new chapter in the Battlefield saga.

The original lead programmer of Crash Bandicoot, Andrew Gavin, has recently revisited the topic of the game’s remastered compilation, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, offering some critiques over eight years after its release. While he commended Vicarious Visions for their work, he expressed disappointment with the jumping mechanics, stating they “completely botched” this crucial aspect of gameplay.

Released exclusively for PlayStation 4 in the summer of 2017, the N. Sane Trilogy was subsequently ported to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC a year later. This remaster features the first three games of the franchise that Naughty Dog originally developed between 1996 and 1998.

The trilogy received a positive reaction from both the public and critics, largely thanks to its updated visuals, which many praised as revitalizing the beloved series. Gavin shared his thoughts on LinkedIn, where he acknowledged the game’s graphics, emphasizing they “looked great” and remained faithful to the originals.

However, he was particularly critical of the jumping mechanics. Unlike the original games, where jump heights varied based on how long players held the button, the remastered version set all of Crash’s jumps to maximum height.

Gavin described this change as resulting in jumps that appeared excessively “huge and floaty.” He attributed some of these gameplay issues to technological differences between the original PlayStation and the PlayStation 4.

On the original system, the controller’s binary analog input allowed Gavin to develop a system that measured button press durations, making the gameplay more precise. He suspects that Vicarious Visions may have overlooked this crucial innovation when creating the remaster.

Although Gavin’s comments come years after the trilogy’s release, they arrive during a renewed interest in 1990s platformers. The recent success of titles like Donkey Kong Country Returns HD has reignited nostalgia among fans who are also hoping for new entries in classic franchises.

Meanwhile, plans for a new Crash Bandicoot game appear to have been halted, adding to the industry’s current climate of change and uncertainty.

A dedicated Pokémon fan artist known as shunixe has created an impressive mecha version of Lucario, a well-loved Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon. While many Pokémon enthusiasts typically redesign creatures based on established game concepts like Mega evolutions or regional variants, shunixe has opted for a unique, anime-inspired mecha aesthetic.

This fresh take brings a different perspective to the iconic character. Lucario made its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as the evolved form of Riolu.

Initially, players could only obtain Lucario through evolution, but subsequent games have allowed trainers to encounter this popular Pokémon in the wild. Known for its strong offensive stats and powerful moves like Meteor Mash and Close Combat, Lucario can also Mega Evolve into Mega Lucario when equipped with a Lucarionite.

Shunixe’s rendition, dubbed Mechario, retains the essence of the original Lucario while incorporating metallic plates instead of fur. The design features a helmet-like canine head and maintains the iconic blue and black color scheme, accented with yellow and red highlights on the mecha armor.

Shunixe is a prominent figure in the Pokémon art community and has previously shown a deep appreciation for Lucario. The artist has previously created a Monster Hunter-themed version of the Pokémon that transformed its figure into a dragon-like creature while keeping the characteristic shape of Lucario’s head.

Additional creative fan artworks have emerged, including a fusion of Lucario and Mudkip, resulting in a Water/Fighting-type resembling a human-like Mudkip draped in Lucario’s colors. Another fan introduced a Fire-type variant named Lucanine, reimagining Lucario as a quadruped and embedding it with guardian-like flames.

With Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the horizon, the expectation is high for fans to continue innovating and sharing their unique takes on beloved Pokémon.

Final Fantasy 14 will cease its support for Windows 10 starting October 14, coinciding with Microsoft’s termination of mainstream updates for the operating system. While users can still play on Windows 10 after this date, Square Enix has indicated that they will not provide complete support for any potential issues. However, informal technical assistance will be available on a case-by-case basis. To receive full technical support while continuing to play Final Fantasy 14, players will need to upgrade to Windows 11.

The decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 impacts a substantial number of players, as it remains the second-most-used operating system in Microsoft’s lineup, holding a market share of 45.57%. In contrast, Windows 11 currently dominates the market with 51.36%. Although mainstream feature updates for Windows 10 will end this fall, users can participate in a free extended security update program by signing in with a Microsoft account and syncing their settings. In addition to the operating system changes, Final Fantasy 14 is also adjusting its minimum CPU specifications.

The requirements will shift from needing an Intel Core i7-7700 or higher to requiring at least an Intel Core i5-8400 or newer. This means that players must have a six-core CPU from 2017 or later to continue playing the game on Windows 11. Other specifications for running Final Fantasy 14 will remain unchanged. Lastly, Square Enix has hinted that the adjustments in housing space on certain servers may soon become a reality, further enhancing the gaming experience.

For players reluctant to shift to Windows 11, the game remains available on macOS, as well as on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, complete with cross-play and cross-progression features.