Overwatch 2’s new Stadium game mode is set to launch with an impressive array of customization options, featuring hundreds of items and powers for each of the 17 heroes available at the start. Players will find an extensive variety of ways to tailor their characters in pursuit of victory. Stadium allows participants to engage in best-of-seven grudge matches across nine maps, transitioning to the Armory before each round to purchase items and select powers that can significantly affect their heroes’ abilities.

Items can be bought using a currency called Stadium Cash, which players accumulate throughout each round, by defeating high-priority bounty targets, or by selling previously acquired items. The items are classified into three rarities: Common, Rare, and Epic, with each tier offering more substantial enhancements to hero capabilities at progressively higher prices. Items are further broken down into categories that include Weapon Items for enhancing primary and secondary fire, Ability Items for bolstering special skills, and Survival Items to extend heroes’ longevity in combat.

While many items provide generic boosts available to multiple heroes, each character also boasts unique options tailored to enhance their specific strengths and abilities. In contrast to items, powers are offered as free enhancements that players choose before rounds one, three, five, and seven. These powers can dramatically change gameplay dynamics, featuring unique abilities like Ana’s area-of-effect Nano Boost or Reinhardt’s lava trails.

However, once selected, powers cannot be swapped out, emphasizing the importance of strategic decision-making. It is worth noting that there was an error in the infographic released by Overwatch 2, which inaccurately displayed Orisa’s survival items, duplicating those of D.Va. Players may need to wait until the Stadium mode officially goes live on April 22 to discover the true defensive options available for Orisa.

A dedicated Pokémon GO fan recently stumbled upon one of the earliest versions of the beloved monster-catching mobile game on an old phone. This nostalgic discovery featured the classic Gyarados loading screen, which was used for the initial months after Pokémon GO’s release in July 2016. Upon its launch, Pokémon GO quickly became a worldwide sensation, attracting over 500 million downloads by the end of 2016 and surpassing 1 billion downloads to date. The game transformed the mobile gaming landscape and established developer Niantic as a major player in the industry.

It also inspired further game developments within the Pokémon franchise, reflecting a diversity of genres that emerged following GO’s success. The fan’s find on the older phone was shared on the official Pokémon GO subreddit by user DeltaP42. The image showed the familiar “No internet connectivity” message paired with the classic loading screen, which represents a cherished period in the game’s history. Additionally, it featured the essential safety reminder for players to remain aware of their surroundings while enjoying the game.

This iconic Gyarados loading screen only lasted for a short time before being replaced by a Halloween-themed graphic later in 2016. Many fans expressed their fondness for the game’s original loading screen and artistic style, suggesting a potential revival for Pokémon GO’s upcoming tenth anniversary. Recollections poured in as participants reminisced about various features, such as the original “footstep radar” used to locate nearby Pokémon. Overall, Pokémon GO set a solid foundation for the franchise’s future mobile games, leading to a broadening of the Pokémon universe in the mobile realm.

Recent leaks from Zenless Zone Zero have unveiled exciting gacha animations for the upcoming Version 1.7, featuring S-Rank characters Vivian Banshee and Hugo Vlad. These videos showcase the stylish designs of both characters and officially confirm Vivian’s full name. The new version is set to bring a host of events, including the much-anticipated return of the Fall Guys-themed Bangboo mini-game. Additionally, players can look forward to new story content centered around the game’s latest characters.

The urban action RPG from HoYoverse is gearing up for a significant update, promising not only new characters but also engaging events and features that will enhance the player experience. Both Vivian and Hugo have been highly anticipated by fans, having been teased in previous events. Hugo made his debut in the Agent Story for launch character Lycaon and later appeared in Version 1.5’s “Grand Marcel Adventure,” where he competed in the “Ridu’s Got Boo” tournament. Vivian was featured prominently in the flagship event of Version 1.5, where she posed a significant challenge to Proxies.

With their official introduction, many players are eagerly counting down to their arrival in the game. A helpful new chart outlines the total number of Polychromes available in the Version 1.7 update. The latest leak detailed animations for both Vivian and Hugo, displayed on TV screens alongside their character models. These animations include stylized art of their names and the new “Mockingbird” faction emblem.

Vivian is expected to launch with Version 1.7 on April 23, while Hugo will be introduced in the second half of the update. In terms of gameplay, Vivian is positioned as an Ether Anomaly character, poised to be a powerful off-field DPS, enhancing Anomaly damage. Conversely, Hugo is set to take on the role of an Ice Attack character, offering players another option alongside well-liked figures like Miyabi and Ellen. Looking ahead, the urban action RPG has an exciting roadmap.

HoYoverse plans to introduce a “Season 2” update featuring a plethora of new characters and initiating the game’s second story arc. Additionally, with the first anniversary approaching this summer, fans can anticipate new skins for characters such as Belle, Wise, Miyabi, and the upcoming Yi Xuan, ensuring an exciting time ahead for Zenless Zone Zero enthusiasts.

Players of Pokemon TCG Pocket are calling for significant changes to the user interface, particularly regarding how they access and open packs. A common request is for the game to display the last set opened by default.

Many users find the current method tedious, feeling that it requires unnecessary navigation to find the desired card sets. The frustration regarding the user interface has grown since the recent Space-Time Smackdown expansion, which left some players believing that previous booster packs had been eliminated.

In reality, the update changed how players locate expansions. A post from a well-known player sparked discussions on social media, addressing how these frustrations are becoming more prevalent among the community.

One suggestion, made by Reddit user Ray_kuro, highlights the need for optimization in the pack-opening experience. They emphasize that opening the game and sifting through options to pick the desired set can be tiring.

They propose that the last set used should automatically display, streamlining the process. Currently, DeNA’s game defaults to the most recent expansion, requiring players to tap options if they wish to select something else.

Many players resonated with these concerns in the comments, sharing similar frustrations with the interface. Some proposed changes, such as making all sets visible with a larger representation of the most recent one.

Others suggested a more robust feature that would allow players to lock onto their preferred expansion and keep it as the default selection. While discussions about the user interface remain a frequent topic, developers continue working on enhancements.

Recent updates have brought several quality-of-life improvements, and players remain hopeful for further adjustments to enhance their gameplay experience.

Marvel Rivals has made a notable update by changing Luna Snow’s Cyber Tunes emote to now loop indefinitely, responding to player requests for a longer duration. This change enhances the gameplay experience, allowing players to express themselves more effectively during matches.

Emotes add a playful element to the game, and fans will appreciate the variety available. Among the many unique emotes in Marvel Rivals, several have gained popularity, such as Venom’s whimsical twerking and Loki striking a presidential pose.

These especially stand out for the humor and creativity they bring to gameplay. The emotes effectively reflect moments from pop culture, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for players.

With over 100 emotes available for players to equip, customization options are extensive. The recent addition of Luna Snow’s updated emote is part of a larger set of features.

The Cyber Tunes emote was initially introduced in February as part of the Mirae 2099 Bundle, which also provided players with a vibrant futuristic skin. Other emotes from Luna Snow include a standard one, in which she makes a heart gesture, and a whimsical emote called Little Oopsie, where she creates a snowman that humorously slides out of her hand.

This emote was launched with the Shining Star Bundle, showcasing Luna in an elegant glittering dress. Additionally, Marvel Rivals has rolled out new skins for Doctor Strange and Peni Parker.

Doctor Strange’s new outfit is inspired by his zombie form from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, along with a captivating emote involving a Soul of the Damned. Peni Parker’s Yatsukakahagi skin comes with an exciting emote where her mecha jumps to surprise and twirls afterward, adding to the fun and diversity of the gameplay.

Some Grand Theft Auto (GTA) fans are expressing their desire for GTA 6 Online to move away from the Heritage character customization system introduced in GTA Online back in 2013. This system focuses on inheriting traits from selected in-game parents, rather than allowing for detailed, personalized character creation. Many players are hoping for a more traditional character creator that provides greater control over their avatars. In the Heritage system, players choose their character’s parents from a selection of preset faces, which include recognizable figures like Claude from GTA 3 and John Marston from Red Dead Redemption.

While players can adjust specific traits using a Resemblance slider, which determines how many characteristics are inherited from each parent, the overall customization feels limited. Other customizable features include hairstyle, facial hair, makeup, eye color, and aging traits, but many fans feel this is not enough for an immersive experience. As enthusiasm builds in anticipation of the next GTA 6 trailer, discussions about the Heritage system continue. One prominent critique came from Reddit user OfficialSmokDoll, who argued that the Heritage system restricts personalized character creation, which many players enjoy.

This opinion resonated with others, leading to a significant number of upvotes and a feature on the r/GTA6 subreddit. While some players prefer the Heritage system to remain as an option, many are vocal about their desire for a more comprehensive character creator. Currently, the fate of the Heritage system in GTA 6 Online remains uncertain, as Rockstar has not provided updates on its multiplayer features since the game’s reveal trailer in December 2023. The game is anticipated for release in late 2025 for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with the next earnings call for publisher Take-Two Interactive expected to shed light on its status.

A recent leak for Infinity Nikki suggests the arrival of an icy dragon in future updates, sparking excitement among fans. The design of this dragon appears to be reminiscent of one of the Eight from the world of Whim, raising speculation about its role in an upcoming zone. Since the game’s launch in December 2024, Infinity Nikki has introduced only one map expansion thus far, but developers are actively working on an ambitious roadmap.

Version 1.5 will transport players to Serenity Island, a new area in the Abandoned District, where the Pieceys will take center stage. The upcoming content is expected to include a multiplayer element, although details on this feature are still unclear. Previous datamined content indicated the possibility of a mushroom kingdom, a new Ability Outfit, and another dragon.

Additionally, with Wishfield missing a significant area and its Sovereign of Sweet yet to be revealed, Nikki has several storylines left to explore before advancing to the next nation. In Version 1.5, players can look forward to updates concerning the housing system, dyes, and a return of popular banners. Thanks to the efforts of Pantipera, fans have gained an early look at the icy dragon model.

However, there is no confirmation on whether this dragon will appear in Version 1.5, nor is there a direct connection between it and Serenity Island. The developers have kept future updates under wraps, making it challenging to establish a clear timeline of new content. Interestingly, the icy dragon bears a striking resemblance to one from the Eight, who were instrumental in the lore of Whim but faced dire fates in their pursuit to seal darkness.

This opens up various possibilities for how the icy dragon may fit into the narrative, possibly serving a role similar to Kilo the Cadenceborn, who rewards players for gathering Dews of Inspiration. Moreover, officially confirmed content for Infinity Nikki includes a dye system set to launch with Version 1.5. Although the housing feature has experienced multiple delays, it is now slated to debut in Summer 2025.

Players can also expect reruns of popular banners like Flutter Storm and Blooming Dreams in subsequent versions. Infinity Nikki is the fifth entry in the beloved Nikki series by Infold Games, employing the UE5 engine to offer a unique blend of dress-up mechanics and open-world exploration. As players follow Nikki and Momo on their journey through the enchanting nations of Miraland, they will encounter a plethora of characters, magical creatures, and stunning outfits, each offering special abilities needed to progress through the story.

The game features a vibrant fantasy world, a rich dress-up experience with numerous outfit options, platforming challenges, and relaxing activities like fishing and bug catching. Infinity Nikki promises diverse puzzles and mini-games, ensuring an engaging experience for players as they explore its beautifully crafted landscapes.

Pokemon Masters EX has announced an upcoming Academy event, introducing two fresh Sync Pairs featuring popular Trainers. Marnie will team up with Cyclizar, while Morty will join forces with Hisuian Typhlosion.

This event marks an exciting addition to the game, which continues to thrive in the mobile gaming space alongside other titles like the recently launched Pokemon TCG Pocket. Since its debut over five years ago, Pokemon Masters EX has enriched its roster with a wide variety of beloved Trainers and Pokemon.

Notably, the game brought the franchise’s iconic anime protagonist, Ash Ketchum, into the mix for the first time in more than two decades, pairing him with Pikachu. The game has also featured various alternative versions of established Trainers, such as Marnie and Lillie, alongside unique Pokemon combinations.

With the next update, fans can expect to see two new character variants added to the roster. Mark your calendars for January 3, as it promises to be an exhilarating day for Pokemon Masters EX players.

The upcoming Academy event will be the first major update of the year, introducing these new Sync Pairs and stylish outfits for both Marnie and Morty. The event is set to kick off on April 15, expanding the game’s offerings further.

The addition of new Sync Pairs will enhance the already extensive collection available in Pokemon Masters EX, which boasts hundreds of combinations. The mobile game includes numerous Trainers and Gym Leaders, while also representing various Trainer classes, such as Poke Kids and Hex Maniacs.

With beloved Pokemon like Eevee and Pikachu featured prominently, the game is a treasure trove for fans. Pokemon Masters EX continues to evolve alongside other successful mobile titles in the franchise, promising even more beloved characters and gameplay options for its dedicated fan base.

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is set to expand with a new DLC titled The Three Kingdoms, which is scheduled for release on May 6, 2025. This upcoming expansion marks the game’s fifth downloadable content pack and is inspired by the historically rich and romanticized period of third-century China.

Players can currently take advantage of a pre-order option that offers a 15% discount. The Three Kingdoms will introduce five new civilizations: Shu, Wei, Wu, Jurchens, and Khitans.

Alongside these, the expansion will add six new units and three additional campaigns, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans of Age of Empires 2: DE. The new units will include heavily armored Hei Guang Cavalry, Traction Trebuchets, which are mobile siege engines, and the formidable Lou Chuans, known as “floating fortresses.”

Additionally, players will find Dragon Ships, Fire Lancers, and Rocket Carts among the new units. The campaigns in The Three Kingdoms will focus on the individual civilizations, featuring narratives filled with war and intrigue.

The campaigns are titled Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and The Sun Clan, each immersing players in the stories and struggles of Shu, Wu, and Wei, respectively. After its launch, The Three Kingdoms will be priced at $19.99.

For those looking to dive into the Age of Empires universe, PlayStation users can pre-order the expansion along with the $99.99 Premium Edition of the PS5 port. Furthermore, a significant base game update is anticipated before the end of April 2025, promising enhancements such as improved castle graphics, updates to the technology tree UI, balancing changes, new maps, and support for random map scripting.

Leaks regarding Honkai: Star Rail suggest significant changes are on the way, particularly affecting the challenging Memory of Chaos mode. The game’s latest update, Version 3.3, will increase the attack values of enemies on Floor 12, alongside a rise in their multipliers. This upcoming update will also welcome two new characters, Cipher and Hyacine, into the game’s playable roster. As a prominent feature within Honkai: Star Rail’s endgame content, Memory of Chaos has built a reputation for its formidable enemies and dynamic gameplay.

The mode incorporates rotating lineups that introduce various challenges tailored to best utilize new characters. Notably, players are rewarded with substantial rewards, including Stellar Jades, for successfully conquering its higher levels. Recent information indicates that Memory of Chaos will receive a serious damage spike, particularly on the game’s hardest floors. According to reputable sources, the enemies on Floor 12 had their attack power boosted in Version 3.1.

The current leaks confirm further increases in Version 3.3, including adjustments for enemies on Floor 11, although exact numbers remain undisclosed. Beyond the changes in Memory of Chaos, Honkai: Star Rail is poised to introduce powerful characters. The recent Version 3.2 saw the addition of Castorice, a new Quantum DPS character, significantly impacting the game’s meta. The upcoming Cipher and Hyacine are expected to expand team strategies, enhancing gameplay diversity.

The excitement doesn’t stop there, as rumors suggest Version 3.4 may bring a collaboration with Fate/Stay Night, introducing characters like Saber and Archer. Additionally, the recent implementation of a special shop in Version 3.2 allows players to acquire five-star units using a new in-game currency, offering even more opportunities. Overall, Honkai: Star Rail appears to have a wealth of content on the horizon for its dedicated fanbase.