Sloclap has recently introduced Hotfix 9 for their soccer game, Rematch, addressing significant exploits and enhancing game stability. Following their success with Sifu in 2022, Sloclap has seen Rematch explode in popularity, gathering a peak of 92,841 players on Steam shortly after its release. While the game has received mixed to positive reviews, criticism surrounding a lack of solo play mode and performance issues hasn’t overshadowed its appealing gameplay.

Hotfix 9, also referred to as Patch 1.20.009, is already available across all platforms. This update primarily tackles two significant exploits: the outfield dive (or Dolphin Dive) and the wall dribbling/climbing mechanic. The outfield dive allowed players to maintain speed by continuously jumping rather than running, which disrupted the intended pace of the game.

Wall climbing, on the other hand, enabled players to essentially “fly” by spamming volley lob taps against walls, preventing any interactions with other players. The patch not only resolves these exploits but also fixes camera jitter during goal replays and enhances overall game stability. Developers closely monitored these mechanics, determining that techniques like the Dolphin Dive compromised the game’s integrity by circumventing stamina limits, while wall climbing contradicted the very essence of a soccer game.

As they aim to preserve the enjoyment and challenge, Sloclap will continue monitoring player feedback and evolving gameplay. In addition, Sloclap has announced the imminent introduction of crossplay, a much-anticipated feature that was initially intended for the game’s launch but delayed due to technical challenges. Looking ahead to 2026, fans can also anticipate a single-player mode, which could provide deeper engagement for players less interested in competitive play.

With these ongoing updates, Rematch is poised to enhance its gaming experience further.

In 2012, negotiations between Mojang and LEGO fell through, resulting in the cancellation of the anticipated Minecraft spin-off titled Brickcraft. This project aimed to blend the familiar block-building mechanics of Minecraft with LEGO’s iconic pieces. Despite the project’s unfortunate discontinuation, a dedicated group of fans has recently uncovered a playable prototype of Brickcraft, reigniting interest in the collaboration that never came to be.

Initially, the discussions between Mojang and LEGO were promising, but diverging visions led to an impasse over brand restrictions that Mojang found unacceptable. As a result, Brickcraft was left in development limbo for years, with fans actively searching for any playable version. In an exciting turn of events, the Omniarchive community website announced on June 26, 2025, that it had discovered a playable build dating back to June 2012.

This version of Brickcraft may represent one of the last iterations created before the project was officially shelved. Despite some technical issues, reports indicate that this prototype includes a functional multiplayer game mode, and eager fans have started creating mods to enhance the gameplay experience. The discovery has sparked enthusiasm within both Minecraft and LEGO communities, as many have expressed their disappointment over the lack of an official video game collaboration between the two giants.

Interestingly, while Brickcraft never saw an official release, the alliance between LEGO and Minecraft still thrives through various popular physical LEGO sets and minifigures. Many fans question why the two brands haven’t revisited the idea of a video game crossover, especially considering the successful collaborations seen with other games like Fortnite. While the future of an official Minecraft LEGO game remains uncertain, players are left to either hope for a renewed partnership or experiment with the newfound prototype.

Hideo Kojima, the director of Death Stranding 2, has addressed some challenges associated with incorporating Asian actors into his games. He noted that achieving realistic representations of their likenesses in computer graphics (CG) has proven to be a complex task.

Death Stranding 2 boasts impressive visuals with highly lifelike character models, but including a larger number of Asian characters at this level of fidelity has been difficult. In Kojima’s latest work, there are fewer Asian characters than in previous titles.

However, one notable addition is the character Rainy, portrayed by Japanese actress Shioli Kutsuna. During an interview, Kojima highlighted the collaboration with Kutsuna and the advancements in technology that aided in her portrayal.

Despite the challenges, he expressed a desire to include more Japanese actors in the future. Additionally, Kojima revealed plans for an animated adaptation of the original Death Stranding game.

In his discussions with IGN Japan, he elaborated on the difficulties of recreating Asian faces in CG, particularly with young women. He explained that the smooth skin commonly associated with Asians can appear unrealistic once digitized.

In contrast, older actors with facial imperfections, like freckles, tend to render more naturally in CG. Despite these challenges, several characters of Asian descent made it into the game, including Ma Dong-seok as Samson Hook, Lauren Tsai as The Artist, Mamoru Oshii as The Pizza Chef, and Gen Hoshino as The Musician.

Kutsuna’s involvement was due not only to her acting talents but also her proficiency in both English and Japanese, which is crucial for the production based in Los Angeles. As technology advances, players can expect even greater details in character texture and realism.

This raises anticipation for Kojima’s future projects and how they will address graphical challenges.

The Nintendo Music app has the potential to open doors for concerts featuring the beloved music of the company’s iconic video games. Given Nintendo’s extensive list of popular titles and franchises, there is considerable interest in the prospect of live performances dedicated to its memorable soundtracks.

Historically, Nintendo has embraced live music, with numerous concerts showcasing its soundtracks. Notable events like Symphonic Legends have highlighted the iconic tunes from games such as The Legend of Zelda.

Additionally, the Splatoon series has also enjoyed live performances featuring its distinctive battle tracks and idol songs, indicating a successful precedent for such events. The recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 has been a remarkable success, but fans are eager for more clarity on the company’s 2025 lineup.

During the latest Nintendo shareholders meeting, president Shuntaro Furukawa addressed inquiries about potential live concerts. He indicated that the Nintendo Music app is part of a strategy to introduce a broader audience to the various soundtracks associated with the games.

Furukawa expressed a desire for players to experience their gaming memories through music and hinted at the possibility of future concerts, demonstrating that this idea is actively on Nintendo’s radar. While the success of the Switch 2 has given Nintendo reason to expand its outreach efforts, including movies and theme parks, the idea of a concert series remains uncertain.

Previous attempts at live performances have not always gone smoothly, with the planned Splatoon 3 concert being canceled due to threats made to staff and attendees. Despite these challenges, the engagement metrics from the Nintendo Music app could help the company gauge the feasibility of hosting concerts.

Fans hoping for such events are encouraged to keep supporting their favorite music tracks through the app, though it may be some time before any concert developments emerge.

Persona 5: The Phantom X has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 1.5 million downloads in the West. To celebrate this achievement, players will receive an in-game reward of 1,500 Meta Jewels, which allows them to make 10 free pulls on the game’s character banners. The game, which launched in the West on June 25, 2025, has earned instant acclaim as a gacha RPG, building on the successful legacy of Persona 5.

This title serves as a spin-off set in a parallel universe and originally launched exclusively in Asian markets in 2024. The anticipation was palpable, as more than a million users pre-registered for the game prior to its release. In just hours, Persona 5: The Phantom X became a hit on platforms like Steam, even breaking records for player counts held by Persona 5 Royal.

In a recent tweet, the developers expressed gratitude for players’ support, emphasizing that those who log in to the game before July 12, 2025, will be eligible for the rewards. To further enhance the gaming experience, additional pre-registration bonuses include 20 free pulls from both the Standard and Beginner banners. The Beginner banner features a special chance to pull 5-Star Phantom Thieves like Morgana, Ann, and Ryuji, while players can also benefit from free weapon pulls.

Looking ahead, the development team has ambitious plans, with Version 1.1 set to launch in July 2025, introducing Chapter 2 of the main story. Version 2.0 will follow, featuring Chapter 3 and a new location, Kichijoji. Fans can look forward to regular updates, special events, and new character debuts, ensuring excitement continues in this beloved RPG series.

Blizzard has announced balance changes for Diablo 4 Season 9, which will launch on July 1. Notable adjustments will be made to various Uniques, particularly for the Druid class. This comes in the wake of Season 8, which began on April 29 and introduced new features including a collaboration with the acclaimed Berserk manga and the return of Belial as a formidable boss. The upcoming Season 9, titled Sins of the Horadrim, will introduce a fresh questline requiring players to seek out and eliminate relics tainted by Astaroth’s blood. Additionally, a new seasonal mechanic, Horadric Spellcraft, will enable players to access spells such as Corrosive Vapor, Glacial Nimbus, Smoldering Ember, and Thunderous Particle.

As with previous seasons, Blizzard is implementing several changes to weapons and gear that players need to consider. The patch notes for the Season 9 update detail significant adjustments to various Uniques. For example, the Druid’s Greatstaff of the Crone will see an increase in Storm Strike’s power damage, boosting it from 170-250% to 200-350%. Additionally, the Dolmen Stone Ancestral Amulet will now enhance Boulder damage from 20-40% to 30-50%, making it more formidable.

Necromancer’s Bloodless Scream Ancestral Spear will receive notable affix changes as well. The Intelligence bonus will be standardized, while the Freeze Duration Affix will be replaced by Lucky Hit, which allows a chance to restore resources. Changes to the Lucky Hit affix will increase its chances significantly. For the Rogue class, the Eaglehorn Ancestral Bow will ensure that its Penetrating Shot ability always bounces at least once.

However, the Eyes in the Dark Ancestral Pants will experience a nerf, reducing the bonus damage of the Death Trap ability from 100-250% to 40-60%, although this bonus will now be consistently granted. While there is currently no definitive end date for Season 9, Blizzard plans to continue monitoring player feedback to inform future updates and balance changes throughout the season.

Recent leaks regarding Marvel Rivals have confirmed that Blade and Phoenix are set to join Season 3 of the game. This news has been anticipated for some time, and the latest revelations indicate that their introduction is imminent. Season 2 of Marvel Rivals commenced on April 11, featuring a theme centered around the Hellfire Gala, a pivotal event in the comics that celebrates the mutant nation.

NetEase introduced new maps, Krakoa and Arakko, alongside the addition of Emma Frost as a new playable Vanguard. Following Frost, Ultron was brought into the game, significantly expanding the roster of playable Strategists. Now, excitement builds as rumors circulate about the next characters to arrive.

On the Marvel Rivals Leaks subreddit, user VeniceArtime posted an image indicating that Blade and Phoenix will be part of Season 3. The post also highlights Twitch Drops slated for July, suggesting that “Phoenix and Blade will ignite the action in Season 3.” It mentions that the upcoming season, titled “Abyss Awaken,” will include new team-ups, rumored Venomized skins, and introduces “sizzling summer events,” hinting at the highly anticipated summer skins. Additionally, a significant leak in December 2024 noted Jean Grey/Phoenix as an upcoming character, along with features already available in the game, like Storm’s collaboration with Human Torch.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting Blade’s arrival, especially after his storyline in Season 1, where he is imprisoned by Dracula on the Central Park map. Various rumors suggest he is finally ready to make his debut. Speculation points to Marvel Rivals Season 3 launching on July 11, with a theme focusing on Klyntar.

This could mean a new map inspired by the symbiotes, with Knull as the primary antagonist. However, it’s essential to remember that these details are just speculation until officially confirmed by the developers.

Mintrocket has announced a delay for the highly anticipated In the Jungle DLC for Dave the Diver, which will now release in early 2026 instead of the previously planned late 2025. Despite this setback, the company has shared positive news regarding the game’s DLC offerings. Dave the Diver debuted to widespread acclaim on PC in June 2023 and subsequently launched on the Switch and PlayStation 5 in October 2023 and April 2024, respectively.

Since its release, the game has introduced several DLC packs, including the limited-time Godzilla Content Pack, which was originally launched in May 2024 but was removed from stores seven months later. Mintrocket initially announced that this pack would not return, creating surprise when it reappeared in late June 2025, coinciding with the game’s second anniversary. In addressing fans in a recent YouTube video, Mintrocket emphasized its ambition for the Dave the Diver franchise and noted that the re-listing of the Godzilla Content Pack would help alleviate concerns following the news of the delayed jungle DLC.

The developer clarified that the delay for In the Jungle is not due to technical difficulties but rather stems from wanting to incorporate additional ideas and content. In addition to the Godzilla Content Pack’s return, it has been confirmed that it will remain available until at least the end of 2026, thanks to a favorable licensing deal. Similarly, the Ichiban’s Holiday Content Pack from the Like a Dragon DLC has also been extended to match this timeline, ensuring both packs will be accessible for an extended period.

Overall, while the delay is unfortunate, the developer’s plans indicate exciting times ahead for fans of Dave the Diver.

Logitech has revealed which of its webcams are compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2. Despite Nintendo offering its own webcam for the console, several third-party cameras are also compatible. While the company did disclose the technical specifications needed for webcam functionality, it did not provide a list of specific models that meet these requirements.

The introduction of the new GameChat feature on the Nintendo Switch 2 has prompted early adopters to seek compatible cameras. The console carries a hefty price tag of $450, leading some gamers to look for cost-effective alternatives to the official $55 peripheral by using existing webcams. Innovative fans have even discovered ways to connect smartphone cameras to the Switch 2, though this requires additional cables.

Logitech has become the first major webcam manufacturer to clarify compatibility details with the Switch 2. For those without an official camera, Logitech’s reassurance comes as good news. The company has confirmed that all its webcam models, with the exception of the Logitech Brio 4K, are compatible with the new console.

This means that many Logitech webcams are a viable option, significantly reducing the cost barrier associated with purchasing a camera for the Switch 2. Some gamers might find a compatible Logitech webcam simply by searching through their old belongings, making it an attractive free alternative. Logitech has yet to announce plans to update the Brio 4K for compatibility.

However, it is possible for webcam manufacturers to implement firmware updates to address any compatibility issues. As Logitech sets this precedent, other companies may follow suit, providing Switch 2 users with even more options. While excitement is building around the camera features, currently, there are only a limited number of games that fully utilize them.

With the availability of more camera choices, it will be interesting to see if players opt for the official Nintendo camera or a more economical old Logitech model.