Month: July 2025

A new mod for The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered is shaking things up by transforming the game into a first-person shooter (FPS). Players can now explore the world of Oblivion while using a Glock pistol instead of the traditional bow to defeat enemies. This mod, created by user CosmicBoogaloo and titled “Glock – Functional Gun in Oblivion Remastered,” allows gamers to experience a novel gameplay dynamic.

A brief gameplay video showcases the excitement, with players running through Oblivion and shooting at anything that appears in their path. Despite Bethesda’s declaration that Oblivion Remastered would not support mods, this has not deterred the creative community. Many players have taken it upon themselves to develop and release various mods nonetheless.

The pistol can either be added as a standalone weapon in a player’s inventory or can replace all Iron Bows in the game. Currently, players need to enable the Oblivion Remastered console to obtain the Glock and its ammo, but updates are planned to introduce an NPC for easier access to these items. Since its release in April, Oblivion Remastered has seen a plethora of mods, including those that introduce new factions, a settlement system reminiscent of Fallout 4, and the ability to leave notes for other players, similar to experiences found in Dark Souls.

Numerous minor tweaks to improve gameplay have emerged, reflecting the active community around the game. While no official mod support has been implemented, the enthusiasm of modders has ensured a rich array of modifications. Given the successful history of modding in the original Oblivion and Skyrim, it seems likely that Oblivion Remastered will continue to evolve.

With time, players may be able to craft a unique experience far removed from the game’s original design through an extensive collection of mods.

11 Bit Studios has recently confirmed that its sci-fi game, The Alters, utilizes generative AI content, albeit in a “very limited manner.” The game, launched on June 13, has received widespread acclaim from both critics and fans, earning a score of 86 on OpenCritic. However, the use of AI in the game has sparked controversy, prompting the developer to address the situation publicly. The Alters stands out in the gaming landscape due to its engaging survival gameplay that incorporates cloning in a unique and entertaining way.

This originality has contributed to its positive reception. In light of the growing discussions about the use of AI, 11 Bit Studios released a statement admitting that generative AI was employed to create temporary assets during development. Unfortunately, a placeholder texture containing AI-generated text unintentionally made it into the final version of the game due to an internal oversight. Additionally, AI was used to translate certain in-game movies during the final stages of development due to time constraints.

The studio has committed to rectifying these issues, emphasizing that they had “limited impact” on the overall experience. In responding to the announcement, many players expressed dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled. Some users suggested that the placeholder text should have been “Lorem Ipsum,” while others felt that transparency regarding AI-generated assets should have been prioritized. Notably, Steam has a policy that mandates the disclosure of AI-generated content, yet The Alters lacks such a declaration, which some speculate may relate to the minimal use of AI.

With the initial reactions to the developer’s statement being largely negative, it remains to be seen how The Alters team will manage the fallout from this controversy. Meanwhile, players can anticipate the eventual replacement of AI-generated assets with alternatives created by human designers.

Devsisters has announced exciting new features coming in the much-anticipated summer update for Cookie Run: Kingdom. This update, titled “Summer Breeze on Starlight Island,” promises to be one of the largest yet, as players are invited to join a beach party on Starlight Island. Players can look forward to new costumes, gacha events, and a variety of new Cookies to collect. Cookie Run: Kingdom, the sixth entry in the beloved mobile gacha series, has captivated both loyal fans and newcomers alike.

The game is known for its engaging gameplay, whimsical world, and extensive collection system featuring over 150 unique Cookies, each with distinct appearances and abilities. Players can accumulate these Cookies through the game’s gacha store and special events, making the hunt for rarer types a thrilling challenge. As part of the summer update, players will see the introduction of new characters like Marshmallow Bunny Cookie and Lemon Cookie, each bringing unique skills to the game. Additionally, the “Assemble Legendary Gacha” will offer chances to retrieve various Cookies, while the Bear Jelly Party costumes will enhance the summer festivity theme.

Moreover, in-game events such as Season 1 of “Error Busters: To Starlight Island!” will be launched, along with new Fuzzy Wuzzy Toppings for boosting Cookie abilities. Other noteworthy content includes “Summer Night Campfire” and “Kingdom of Sun and Moon,” which will be elaborated on as the update’s release date approaches. Looking ahead, players can expect even more content in future updates, including the introduction of Orange Cookie and new mini-games.

Beyond collecting and battles, Cookie Run: Kingdom also offers a rich base-building and farming experience, allowing players to customize and expand their kingdom, adding yet another layer of appeal to the game.

A playable prototype of a canceled Game Boy Advance game has surfaced, thanks to a game preservation group, allowing fans to experience an unreleased Animaniacs game. As the focus on game preservation intensifies among enthusiasts, especially for older titles that are becoming harder to access, canceled games often remain some of the most elusive.

The gaming community has seen notable instances of canceled prototypes resurfacing, like a recently uncovered prototype for a discontinued LEGO Minecraft game. Now, a lost Animaniacs GBA game is available for fans online.

The Animaniacs animated series debuted in 1993 and quickly became a significant success, featuring the adventures of siblings Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. It won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and ran for five memorable seasons.

The show even had a revival in 2020, which added three more seasons and continued to capture Emmy accolades. The emergence of the Animaniacs GBA game prototype offers a glimpse into what could have been a dynamic addition to the franchise.

According to reports by Time Extension, the video game preservation group Hidden Palace has uncovered a prototype for “Animaniacs: Hollywood Hypnotics.” This build combines point-and-click gameplay with platforming segments, where players assist the Warner siblings in thwarting Pinky and the Brain’s scheme to turn their water tower home into a rocket. Originally developed by Conspiracy Entertainment, which later became Swing Entertainment, the game was slated for release in 2003, the same year Swing Entertainment folded.

The available prototype not only allows fans to play but also sheds light on the game’s history with Conspiracy Entertainment. Full Fat, contracted for the project, still lists the game on its website, indicating that “Hollywood Hypnotics” was completed but remains somewhat unfinished.

The resurfacing of this prototype is a significant victory for game preservation advocates, especially amidst ongoing discussions about high-profile game cancellations in the industry.

Marvel Rivals has recently released an exciting teaser that suggests the introduction of the Phoenix and a new Klyntar map. This announcement marks the game’s continued expansion into various iconic areas of the Marvel Comics universe, promising fresh characters and environments to captivate players.

Season 0 of Marvel Rivals centered on Doctor Doom’s experiments, highlighting the creation of four Chronoverses, which engage with the popular Multiverse concept familiar to Marvel enthusiasts. As Season 1 commenced, players witnessed Dracula harnessing the power of Chronovium alongside the eagerly anticipated addition of The Fantastic Four.

Season 2 shifted focus to a beloved storyline, featuring the Hellfire Gala theme. Players are now buzzing with anticipation for upcoming developments, especially following a recent social media post hinting at exciting new features.

On Twitter, Marvel Rivals teased the addition of Phoenix and a Klyntar map set to debut in Season 3. The post read, “Klyntar is about to ignite,” with a brief video showcasing a golden egg recognized by fans as the Phoenix Egg.

In comic lore, this egg symbolizes the rebirth of the Phoenix Force, famously linked to characters like Jean Grey, who is expected to join Season 3. Players can also look forward to a Klyntar map, rumored to be playable in Domination mode.

While there’s already a map based on the symbiote planet, this Convergence mode map conforms to speculation about the theme of Season 3 regarding the prison world of supervillain Knull. Additionally, Blade’s anticipated arrival, a character previously introduced in Season 1, adds further excitement as recent leaks hint at his abilities.

Marvel Rivals invites players to assemble a powerful team from a wide array of characters and engage in dynamic, fast-paced 6v6 action across destructible environments. With constant updates and new content each season, players can look forward to endless adventures and strategic gameplay.

The synergy between characters enhances tactical options, making every encounter in the Marvel universe unique and exhilarating.

Halo Studios has announced that it will share more information about its latest project in the Halo franchise on October 24, during the Halo World Championship in Seattle. Previously known as 343 Industries, the developer rebranded to Halo Studios during last year’s championship and revealed that future Halo games would utilize Unreal Engine 5. Fans have eagerly anticipated updates, and this announcement provides a definitive timeline for when they can expect to hear more. Speculation about major Halo announcements had been circulating, fueled by a conversation an attendee had with a Halo Studios representative at the Halo Championship Series Open in Dallas.

The representative hinted at a significant revelation set for 2025, confirming the excitement surrounding the franchise’s future. Recent communications from Halo Studios support these rumors, leading fans to wonder about the accuracy of other speculations floating around. Historically, Halo games have maintained a complicated relationship with the extensive Halo literature, but this connection may deepen in light of the upcoming Halo 7. A blog post from Halo Studios stated that fans can anticipate learning more about Project Foundry and the franchise’s direction at the upcoming event.

While they remain tight-lipped about specifics, they have clarified the timing and platform for these updates. In addition to the game announcements, a new book titled Halo: Edge of Dawn is also on the horizon, adding to the excitement. Halo Studios has acknowledged fan speculation, emphasizing that the Halo World Championship will be the prime opportunity for fans to receive authentic updates. Given that 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the franchise, the anticipation for a significant announcement is heightened.

Xbox has previously hinted at grand plans for the anniversary in 2026, making the upcoming event crucial for die-hard fans.

A dedicated Pokemon enthusiast has created an impressive handcrafted puppet of Dratini, making it appear as if the iconic Dragon Pokemon is sitting on their shoulders. The Pokemon franchise has captivated fans for years, introducing over 1,000 unique creatures, which has sparked a wave of creativity.

Fans have produced everything from new Pokemon designs and evolutions to apparel and home decor influenced by the franchise. This recent puppet project highlights the artistic talents of a Pokemon lover, focusing on a classic character.

Dratini is one of the original 151 Pokemon and represents a significant part of the Dragon type lineage, being one of only three Dragon Pokemon introduced at the beginning. As part of its evolution line, Dratini was one of the first “pseudo-legendary” Pokemon, notoriously hard to find in the Kanto region, with the powerful Dragonite as its ultimate form.

The popularity of Dratini has led to various fan creations, including mini wood carvings, but this innovative puppet design takes it to another level. Worldwarallen, a Reddit user, showcased their extraordinary Dratini puppet on the official Pokemon subreddit.

The puppet is designed to rest on their shoulders, with the user’s right hand and arm manipulating the puppet’s neck and head. Notably, the puppet features a fake arm, enhancing the illusion that Dratini is moving independently.

This project is not Worldwarallen’s first foray into Pokemon cosplay; they previously created a Pidgeotto animatronic that garnered accolades at a convention. Fans have lauded the puppet and suggested ways to make it even more lifelike.

Ideas included enhancing the fake arm’s appearance and adding sound effects, like a squeaking device to replicate Dratini’s in-game cry. Meanwhile, excitement continues to build in the Pokemon community, with game developer Game Freak preparing to release Pokemon Legends: Z-A and revamp the Trading Card Game with new features this Fall, keeping fans eagerly engaged with the franchise.

Capcom has announced an exciting collaboration between its popular fighting game, Street Fighter 6, and the renowned K-pop band Aespa. This partnership will introduce a new bonus outfit for players, but with a reminder to take note of its limited availability. Street Fighter 6 was originally launched in 2023 and later saw a release on the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the console’s debut. Built using Capcom’s RE Engine, the game includes cross-platform play and rollback netcode, featuring three main modes: Fighting Ground, World Tour, and Battle Hub.

Capcom is committed to keeping players engaged with fresh content, recently sharing details on Sagat, the next downloadable content (DLC) character. This announcement adds to the excitement as players have the opportunity to take part in this limited-time collaboration. Street Fighter 6 allows players to customize their Avatar characters, enhancing their overall experience. The collaboration was made public through the official Street Fighter Twitter account, revealing various themed items that will be available.

These include a new commentator from visual artist Naevis and a special outfit for Juri accompanied by a K-pop-inspired remix of her theme music, along with Aespa-themed visual effects before matches. Earlier this year, Street Fighter 6 had also collaborated with Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds and featured a crossover with Overwatch, further expanding its gaming universe. However, players should note that Juri’s outfit will only be available for one year, specifically from July 4, 2025. While some fans had hoped that the K-pop collaboration might offer free items, most comments about Juri’s skin were positive, with many agreeing that it looked stylish.

Looking ahead, the Capcom community can anticipate more DLC characters in Street Fighter 6’s Year 3 release schedule. Following Sagat’s introduction, C. Viper is set to join the roster this year, while Alex and Ingrid are confirmed for a 2026 release. Players are reassured that all four DLC characters will still appear in the Masters mode within the World Tour, even without the Year 3 character pass.