Category: News

Little Nightmares is expanding its horizons with the announcement of its inaugural VR title, Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes. This marks a significant development for the beloved franchise, which has already seen success over the past eight years. Alongside this VR project, fans can also look forward to Little Nightmares 3, a game that has been highly anticipated since its reveal.

Despite some concerns following the Embracer Group’s acquisition of Tarsier Studios in 2019, the series has regained momentum. With the confirmation of Little Nightmares 3 being developed by Supermassive Games, the franchise is set to rejuvenate itself with two new protagonists. However, the addition of a new studio isn’t the only exciting change; the introduction of a VR component is particularly noteworthy.

During the recent Little Nightmares Showcase Event, Bandai Namco unveiled the teaser for Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes. The brief glimpse revealed a haunting atmosphere, with the camera panning toward a cave-like door where a music box plays eerily until it disappears with a frightful noise. While details remain sparse, the cryptic video description invites players to ponder, “Every step echoes closer… does this tune sound familiar, little ones?”

Beyond VR announcements, the event revealed the release date for Little Nightmares 3 and a remastered version of the original game, both set to launch on October 10, 2025.

Pre-orders for various editions of the sequel have begun, generating excitement among fans. The showcase also highlighted various media tie-ins, including the Little Nightmares: Descent to Nowhere comic, The Sounds of Little Nightmares audio series, and an untitled stop-motion project. These expansions into different formats emphasize the franchise’s versatility.

As fans await Little Nightmares 3, they may also explore other horror titles, like The Midnight Walk or Reanimal, which share its chilling aesthetic.

Recently, Call of Duty HQ faced a significant server outage that impacted various titles, including Black Ops 6, Warzone, and Modern Warfare 3. For nearly 30 minutes, players were left waiting as the outage disrupted gameplay across almost every modern Call of Duty title.

Thankfully, the Call of Duty team acted quickly to resolve the issue and restore access to the game’s servers. Such extensive outages are uncommon, but they heighten concerns regarding the Call of Duty HQ app, which integrates all new titles since the 2019 release of Modern Warfare into a single platform.

While this streamlined approach was intended to bring convenience, players have voiced their frustrations over the app’s clunky interface and excessive storage requirements. The recent outage further fueled calls for Activision to reconsider this unified app model.

On June 24 (or June 25 depending on the time zone), Call of Duty officially acknowledged the issue via the CODUpdates Twitter account. They confirmed that they were looking into the matter, reassuring players that services were steadily coming back online.

This incident was not scheduled, contrasting with previous outages, such as the planned downtime that occurred in April for Warzone’s transition back to Verdansk. Interestingly, the outage did not only impact the latest titles within the HQ app.

A user on Twitter pointed out that even older games like Black Ops 4 and Warzone Mobile were also affected. This unusual occurrence raises questions about whether it was a technical glitch or a more serious cyber incident.

With an anticipated Season 4 Reloaded update on the horizon, fans remain hopeful that the recent outage won’t disrupt any upcoming content, including a new collaboration featuring the iconic characters from Beavis and Butt-Head as operator skins for the game.

Nintendo has rolled out a minor update, Version 13.0.4, for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in June 2025. This fighting game, created by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd., allows players to engage in battles with a diverse lineup of characters from the Nintendo universe, such as Link and Pikachu, as well as iconic third-party characters from franchises like Final Fantasy.

As a testament to its popularity, especially in Japan, the creator of Super Smash Bros. was recently honored with an award by the Japanese government, recognizing his significant contribution to video game development. Since its inception in 1999, the series has introduced five installments, including Melee, Brawl, and versions available for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. On June 24, Nintendo confirmed the deployment of the Version 13.0.4 update, mentioned on their support page.

This update follows a commitment to resolve a game-breaking bug affecting Mii Fighters in the Switch 2 iteration of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The patch primarily addressed issues with Mii Fighters’ thumbnails and also provided fixes in the Nintendo Switch 2 system version 20.1.5 that was released earlier on June 18, 2025.

The last update prior to this was in October 2024, leading fans to speculate that a larger update may not be forthcoming anytime soon. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, like other notable games such as Resident Evil 4 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, imposes challenges on players who excel.

Despite this, the dedicated fanbase appreciates the ongoing technical support. Discussions among fans hint at the potential direction for the series’ next installment, with some suggesting a return to focusing solely on Nintendo characters. At the beginning of 2025, Nintendo updated its list of best-selling games, maintaining the same rankings as before.

The top title has achieved impressive sales of 67.35 million units, alongside other popular titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Fans are optimistic that Super Mario Party Jamboree will also rise in ranks. The patch notes for Version 13.0.4 highlight fixes made to Mii Fighter thumbnail generation, while online match issues, particularly between Nintendo Switch 2 and original Switch players, were addressed in the earlier system update.

A player of Cookie Run: Kingdom recently stumbled upon some unusual “cursed” merchandise while shopping. Released in 2021, Devsisters’ Cookie Run: Kingdom is the sixth installment in a beloved series of mobile gacha games. The game quickly captured the hearts of both long-time fans and newcomers, thanks to its engaging gameplay, an intriguing world filled with anthropomorphic Cookies to collect, and various RPG elements. In Cookie Run: Kingdom, each Cookie has a distinct appearance and unique abilities.

With over 150 Cookies available for players to gather, the game features a variety of rarities, with higher rarity characters generally being more powerful. Players can obtain these Cookies through several methods, such as pulling from the gacha store, joining special gacha events, or collecting their Soulstones during gameplay. One notable character is Hollyberry, recognized as one of the best damage absorbers in the game. To maximize her effectiveness, players can use specific builds.

Devsisters has capitalized on the game’s popularity by releasing official merchandise, such as the Shadow Milk Cookie plushies that became available in February. It was during a recent shopping excursion that a player found some Cookie Run: Kingdom-themed mugs featuring the main character, GingerBrave. The mugs displayed his large round blue eyes, icing eyebrows, and cheerful red smile, prompting the player to share a picture on Reddit, labeling it as a “cursed thing.”

GingerBrave serves as the starting Cookie in Cookie Run: Kingdom and has appeared in all series games. Although he is a Common rarity and often replaced by more powerful Cookies in players’ rosters, he remains the franchise’s iconic mascot.

Beyond collecting Cookies, the game offers base-building and farming mechanics. Players can expand their kingdom from a simple castle to construct various facilities, contributing significantly to its enduring popularity.

Steel City Interactive has revealed an exciting free content update for Undisputed, set to launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam later this week. This update, version 1.4, promises a comprehensive set of gameplay adjustments, bug fixes, and quality-of-life enhancements, alongside the introduction of three new fighters and additional features for players to explore. Following an impressive release of four patches in just five weeks, Steel City Interactive took a brief hiatus from communicating with fans while they worked on the upcoming update. After nearly two months of silence, the studio began sharing details about update 1.4 earlier this month.

One major highlight is the much-requested multi-queue feature that will significantly speed up online matchmaking. This new capability allows players to choose fighters from various weight divisions, thus reducing wait times for matches. The anticipation surrounding the update grew as Steel City teased the return of a controversial boxer who had previously been removed from the game. Confirming the release on June 26, Steel City Interactive offered a glimpse of the new features through a short video shared by the community manager.

Among these is the addition of robes for notable fighters like Terence Crawford and Amir Khan, alongside significant improvements in lighting and visuals on Xbox Series X and PC, particularly in Ultra settings. Fans can also look forward to gameplay enhancements, including a capped success rate for the get-up mini-game in offline modes, making it easier to keep opponents down. Additionally, the update will refine Vasyl Lomachenko’s animations for a more realistic representation. While specific details on the bug fixes are set to be shared in the patch notes, Steel City will also introduce a new DLC fighter pack with unspecified fighters, continuing their trend of adding iconic boxers to the game.

Remedy Entertainment’s latest first-person shooter, FBC: Firebreak, is struggling to find a player base on PC since its release on June 17. The peak concurrent player count has fallen below 2,000, raising concerns about its popularity. Set within the Control universe, FBC: Firebreak marks Remedy’s first attempt at multiplayer gameplay, but initial feedback has been mixed from both players and critics.

The game was officially announced in June 2021 and had a more detailed reveal at the Xbox Partner preview in October 2024, with a gameplay trailer released in March 2025. Retailing at $40, FBC: Firebreak includes some live service elements but notably lacks daily check-ins and battle passes, which are often used to increase player engagement. Players were initially excited to see the game available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, as well as on PlayStation Plus Extra, but the launch on PC has resulted in disappointing numbers.

As per SteamDB, FBC: Firebreak reached a maximum of 1,992 concurrent players on Steam, with only 245 users active in the past 24 hours, significantly lower than many of Remedy’s older titles like Control and Max Payne 3. Currently averaging a “Mixed” review rating on Steam, players express their dissatisfaction about the game’s lack of tutorials, content, and matchmaking issues, resulting in some users completing the game within a day or two. To address these concerns, Remedy plans to roll out two major content updates in 2026, informed by player feedback during the game’s initial weeks.

Upcoming updates will introduce new jobsites, equipment, enemies, and rewards. Although reception has not been as favorable as anticipated, some fans hope that FBC: Firebreak could pave the way for Control 2, as references to popular characters from the original game appear throughout.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, published by Paradox Interactive, remains on course for its planned release despite layoffs at developer The Chinese Room. This sequel to the 2004 original has faced a challenging development path, but recent developments suggest that the timeline for release is unaffected. Fans can anticipate playing the game later this year, reassuring them after a lengthy series of delays.

Earlier in the year, The Chinese Room announced a release date of October 2025 for Bloodlines 2. Although this marks over 20 years since the debut of its predecessor, it provided a glimmer of hope to an eager fanbase weary from constant postponements. After the layoffs were disclosed, concerns arose about potential delays, but sources from Paradox affirm that the development of Bloodlines 2 is still progressing as planned.

Reports indicated that the game is largely complete, with remaining tasks focused on fine-tuning. The layoffs may reduce personnel, but they do not significantly impact the overall development timeline. While fans hope for smoother sailing ahead, this situation also underscores a troubling trend of layoffs and developmental challenges within the gaming industry.

The road to Bloodlines 2 has not been without its hurdles. Following its initial announcement in 2019, it has faced numerous delays, shifting from 2020 to 2021, then to 2024, and finally to 2025. There were even concerns about outright cancellation at one point, although the project has survived these cutbacks.

In 2023, The Chinese Room took the project over from Hardsuit Labs, leading to changes in both gameplay and narrative. Players will navigate a perilous, modern-day Seattle, engaging with powerful characters and navigating a tense power vacuum in the city’s vampire court. As a vampire, players will utilize unique abilities to hunt and interact with the populace while balancing the risks of maintaining the Masquerade against their predatory instincts.

With different vampire clans presenting varied playstyles, Bloodlines 2 promises a deeply immersive experience filled with dynamic combat and narrative choices.

A notable leaker has recently shared some exciting news regarding Helldivers 2, specifically about a new Automaton homeworld called New Cyberstan. The game, which has already introduced a variety of new content with the ongoing Illuminate invasion and the storyline “The Battle for Super Earth,” continues to evolve under Arrowhead Game Studios’ stewardship. Since Helldivers 2’s launch, the game has experienced significant commercial success and has steadily expanded its offerings. Arrowhead has been busy rolling out updates that enhance the player experience, introducing a myriad of features such as new enemies, cosmetics, events, and even substantial free rewards.

While the game’s reception has generally been positive, it faced some criticism in recent months due to changes that didn’t resonate well with players, affecting its Steam rating. Fortunately, these issues have been addressed, restoring the title’s favorable standing in the gaming community. Recent leaks have hinted at an exciting new addition to the game, potentially intensifying the action. The trusted leaker known as Iron_S1ghts shared images on social media showcasing New Cyberstan, a planet currently under terraforming by robotic entities.

Although still in development, the visual representation suggests a foreboding yet fascinating world. Iron_S1ghts assured fans that the planet will evolve into a more aesthetically pleasing environment as the project advances, but he also cautioned that the release is not imminent due to the considerable work still required. In response to players desiring a more metallic aesthetic for New Cyberstan, Iron_S1ghts clarified that it is expected to take on that look once the two planned Helldivers 2 bot cities are added. These cities are anticipated to be megacities featuring distinctive props with slight variations.

Additionally, Iron_S1ghts recently teased a new enemy unit called the Observer, a creature that has a striking resemblance to the Watcher but with the unique capability to shoot lasers. It is essential to remember that while these leaks are intriguing, there remains uncertainty regarding the inclusion of these features in the final game.

Square Enix has recognized the tremendous success of Sandfall Interactive’s RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. One investor during a recent shareholders meeting expressed enthusiasm for the potential return of turn-based combat in future titles, particularly the next Final Fantasy installment.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has generated significant buzz in the gaming community, with fans of classic JRPGs hoping this success might lead to a resurgence of major turn-based games. The indie title has sold an impressive 3.3 million units within its first 33 days, marking both commercial and critical success.

Developed by the small French team at Sandfall Interactive, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 boasts one of the highest player ratings on Metacritic, surpassing iconic titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Super Mario Galaxy. This remarkable achievement has undoubtedly caught the attention of other developers, including those behind long-standing franchises who may consider making significant changes to their gameplay approaches.

During the Square Enix meeting, it was highlighted that the last mainline Final Fantasy game with turn-based elements was 2006’s Final Fantasy 12. Fans have been vocal about their desire to see a return to this style.

Although it remains uncertain whether the forthcoming Final Fantasy 17 will incorporate turn-based mechanics, there is hope that the developers will heed the feedback sparked by Clair Obscur. While Square Enix regarded Final Fantasy 16 as a success, it faced criticism at launch for its action-oriented combat, leading some to question whether it represented a “true” Final Fantasy experience.

Despite these initial concerns, the game’s critical reception has improved. As the company focuses on the final chapter of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Sandfall Interactive is also progressing, with plans for updates and potential DLC for Clair Obscur, along with the development of a new game.

Funcom, the studio behind the survival MMO Dune: Awakening, has revealed plans for significant changes to the game’s endgame. The developer aims to tackle player feedback and enhance the overall gaming experience.

Launched in early June 2025, Dune: Awakening garnered praise for its immersive desert gameplay and competitive player-versus-player (PVP) elements. The game has become a milestone for Funcom, setting records as the fastest-selling title in its history and attracting over a million players.

The combination of the iconic Dune universe with refined survival gameplay appealed to both new and returning players familiar with Funcom’s previous titles, such as Conan Exiles. Currently, thousands of players are actively engaged in building and competing for supremacy on the treacherous sands of Arrakis, the universe’s most crucial planet.

Despite its impressive launch, Dune: Awakening has received criticism, particularly regarding its PVP-heavy endgame structure. Funcom’s Creative Director Joel Bylos addressed these concerns in a recent Steam blog post, proposing an array of changes that will introduce player-versus-environment (PVE) options to enhance gameplay diversity.

Currently, the Deep Desert’s PVP system dominates the endgame, forcing players who prefer PVE to engage in activities they might not enjoy. To improve accessibility, some areas within the Deep Desert will be reclassified as “Partial Warfare (PVE),” allowing players to harvest resources without the threat of PVP.

These new zones will be designed for group play but will still present challenges for solo players. Meanwhile, the most valuable regions will retain their PVP status, catering to those who seek high-risk rewards.

Funcom is also addressing PVP balance issues, notably the prevalence of flying ornithopters. Previous updates reduced vehicle damage, but further adjustments will limit the power of rocket-equipped thopters.

The goal is for PVP battles to emphasize teamwork and strategy rather than rely heavily on any single unit. With these upcoming changes, players hope to see an endgame that better reflects their preferences and encourages collaboration.