Game Informer News

15-Mintute Nintendo Indie World Showcase Announced For Tomorrow Morning, October 28

2026-10-27T07:11:00+00:00

Nintendo has announced that a new Indie World presentation will air tomorrow, October 28. The event will run for roughly 15 minutes.

Kicking off at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET, the presentation will spotlight upcoming indie games and related updates coming to Switch 2 and Switch. The announcement does not specify any updates. In terms of games showcased in the previous Indie World from March that have yet to release, we could get updates on Drinkbox Studios' Blighted and the murder mystery farming sim Grave Seasons, both of which were recently delayed to 2027. Other notable indies coming to Switch platforms that could appear include The Eternal Life of Goldman, Witchbrook, Hoa 2, Human Fall Flat 2, and SacriFire.

However, in a presentation once defined by cries for Hollow Knight: Silksong, which launched last year, fans are now waiting for the game’s previously announced free expansion, Sea of Sorrow, which is slated to arrive this year. So, for old times’ sake, fans can politely demand that game’s appearance in the live chat.

What do you hope to see at Nintendo Indie World tomorrow? Let us know in the comments.

Free-To-Play MOBA Pokémon Unite Is Shutting Down In March

2026-10-27T06:38:00+00:00

The free-to-play MOBA Pokémon Unite will shut down in March, over five years after its 2021 launch. Although a gradual suspension of services begins today, fans will enjoy one last hurrah thanks to a big in-game event running for the remainder of the game’s lifecycle.

Launched in July 2021 for Switch before migrating to iOS and Android later that year, Pokémon Unite was billed as a friendlier take on the MOBA genre popularized by Dota 2 and League of Legends, thanks to its short matches (10 minutes) and simplified mechanics. Despite its initial popularity, the game is winding down and will go offline for good on March 23, 2027.

An End of Service notice on the game’s website reads,

“We offer our sincerest gratitude to the many Trainers who have played since service started for the Nintendo Switch version on July 21, 2021. We would like to express our thanks to everyone by holding a special event until service ends. The Pokémon Unite Aeos Crown 2027 Tokyo competitive tournament (an event for Pokémon Unite only) will also be held as previously announced. We hope you continue to enjoy Pokémon Unite until the final day of service. After service ends, the 'Pokémon Unite Game Content Guidelines for Online Platforms' will no longer be published or maintained, and we will no longer provide support regarding use of Pokémon Unite videos and images.”

As of today, in-game sales of Aeos gems and Unite Club memberships/renewals have been suspended. Existing Unite Club members will continue to use their benefits until the end of the membership period.

On November 12, an update will kick off the aforementioned final special event, where players can obtain items such as all Unite licenses and Holoware that have appeared in the game up to that point. A library feature will also be added, letting players view certain records and in-game content even after the game shuts down on March 23. Those who don’t download the library feature before the shutdown date will not be able to get it afterward.

Qualifiers for the Aeos Crown 2027 Tokyo Competitive tournament will take place as planned on December 5. After the game shuts down on March 23, players won't be able to log in to Pokémon Unite or play any battles. Only the library feature will remain accessible.

We enjoyed Pokémon Unite when it launched, with executive video editor Alex Van Aken scoring it an 8 out of 10 in his review, writing, “The game eats away the hours of my day as I reassuringly say to myself, 'Just one more match.' Battles play out with the spectacle that the Pokémon series is known for, and with so many abilities to choose from, no match feels the same as the last. The game’s simple mechanics and recognizable characters make for an approachable MOBA experience, and with a potential catalog of nearly 900 Pokémon to pick from, my hopes are high for the future of Pokémon Unite.”

Composer Austin Wintory Shares His Early Musical Drafts Intended For Mass Effect 5

2026-10-26T13:44:00+00:00

Last week, EA shut down Mass Effect and Dragon Age developer BioWare, which resulted in the cancellation of the fifth Mass Effect game that was announced in 2020. As the fallout from this closure settles, famed video game composer Austin Wintory has shared that he'd been working on a potential soundtrack for the now-canceled game and has publicly released early versions of this score.

In a Bluesky thread, Wintory, who has composed soundtracks for games such as Journey, Sword in the Sea, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate, and The Banner Saga trilogy, writes, “Mass Effect was my ultimate white whale, my all-time dream project. For the last couple years I'd been in discussion w/ BioWare & EA to take on the project & as part of that I wrote close to 20 minutes of music to explore where the franchise can go next, may as well share it!"

Wintory uploaded a 20-minute video consisting of eight tracks to his YouTube channel. The video begins with a message further elaborating on the partnership between BioWare, EA, and him. “For the past several years, I’d been in dialogue with people both at BioWare and EA to potentially jump into Mass Effect 5. As part of these conversations, I decided to surprise the team by writing/recording a gigantic love letter to the franchise, with my idea of where it can go next.”

Wintory adds that he composed the music in 2025 and that he “knew nothing” about what Mass Effect 5's story entailed when he did. As such, he describes the music as “narratively speculative.” He adds that this conceptual soundtrack was a direct homage to Jack Wall and Sam Hulick’s soundtrack on the first Mass Effect “while leaning even harder on true analog synths, and a more complex integration of the orchestra (almost akin to the hybrid nature of The Matrix),” he writes. Each music track features a message by Wintory explaining his inspiration for its production.

“Receiving the news alongside everyone else that EA had decided to not only cancel the project but shutdown BioWare entirely was a deeply felt loss," Wintory writes in the video's description. "It's been hard to see dear friends lose their jobs, and this beloved franchise seemingly vanish forever. Thank you nonetheless to everyone at BioWare and EA's music department for gifting me the chance to dream in your sandbox. It was a privilege to do even that much.”

Wintory's music is the latest piece of potential Mass Effect 5 content to emerge since BioWare’s closure. A day after the shutdown announcement, an unreleased but reportedly legitimate cinematic trailer for the canceled Mass Effect leaked online.

Report: Ghost Of Yōtei Developer Sucker Punch Hit With Layoffs

2026-10-26T10:06:00+00:00

Sucker Punch, the team behind Ghost of Yōtei, Ghost of Tsushima, Infamous, and Sly Cooper, has been hit with layoffs, according to a report by Aftermath. The outlet states that 26 roles have been affected as the studio prepares its next project.

Aftermath cites a former Sucker Punch employee who confirmed the number of layoffs. The outlet also obtained a company email announcing the staff cuts.

“After carefully observing the challenges in the market and reviewing the team needs for our next project, we've decided to make some staffing reductions. Several positions across Sucker Punch will be eliminated as a result,” reads a section of the email. Sucker Punch then says it will work to support affected staff in their transition and will share more details next week about what comes next. The studio has not yet publicly commented on the layoffs.

This news comes a few weeks after the release of the Complete Edition of Ghost of Yōtei, which originally launched in 2025 to critical and commercial success. The release coincided with the arrival of two substantial DLCs: the story expansion Echoes of Sekigahara and a roguelike mode called Most Wanted that reintroduces Ghost of Tsushima hero Jin Sakai as a playable character.

[Source: Aftermath]

The Video Games And More You Should Play This Weekend – October 23, 2026

2026-10-23T14:00:00+00:00

This week has been home to some disheartening news. BioWare, the creators of games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age, is being shut down amid a flurry of layoffs. It's another frustrating story from a struggling video game industry. Below you will find some of our stories about the legendary developer, including our massive 2016 oral history. And then after that, you can read about our recommendations of what to play this weekend.

Final Fantasy Resonance

Matt Miller

I spent the early hours playing Final Fantasy Resonance trying to figure out precisely why I couldn't put it down. I eventually realized that the game manages in a very purposeful way to answer that quiet need I've so frequently had: "I wish I could experience a game just like Final Fantasy IV or VI again, for the first time, but with a new cast and story." That's pretty much what you can expect here; Resonance is a very purposeful throwback experience that harkens to the early days of FF pixel adventures, but with several modern conveniences, graphical flourishes, and depth added into the mix. It's a big and refreshingly wholesome journey of entertaining party members, summoning giant creatures, flying an airship across the world, and fighting turn-based battles that include absurd spell effects. It's one of my favorite games of the year, and well worth the time it will take to explore. Read our full review for more.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

Matt Miller

Expect to hear a lot of people proclaiming this as "one of the good ones," as Modern Warfare came out swinging this week with a strong campaign, compelling additions to competitive multiplayer, and an impressive extraction shooter mode in the form of DMZ. I've already been impressed by the first few hours of the campaign, which offers a tense, harrowing, and often disturbingly brutal story that bounces between a number of character perspectives. The gunplay feels tuned in, the traversal and melee is satisfying, and the narrative beats grounded in excellent actin performances. Our reviewer has spent even more time with the full game, and can share their full perspective to help inform whether you want to take a dive into this year's installment.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort

Brian Shea

The Nintendo Sports franchise, which began with Wii Sports in 2006, has never been about the single-player experience. That remains true 20 years later in Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. But this time around, Nintendo has boosted the amount of content beyond what the series has typically provided, appealing to all player counts, all while retaining its trademark approachability. Whether you're joining together with three friends for some friendly competition across the package's 12 sports or you're trying to climb the Island Crown ladder by beating increasingly difficult single-player opponents, Switch Sports Resort is a great motion-controlled collection.

Tenebris Somnia

Marcus Stewart

Halloween is around the corner. As you’re buying overpriced candy, deciding which version of the Joker to dress up as, and debating between watching Obsession and Backrooms over a cup of cider, it’s the perfect time to replay old horror games or dive into new ones. 2026 has a solid roster of choices for the latter thanks to releases like Resident Evil Requiem, Paranormasight: The Mermaid’s Curse, and Silent Hill: Townfall, but Tenebris Somnia shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re looking for a cool indie throwback.

Part retro-inspired adventure game, part live-action indie horror film, you’ll uncover the mystery of a nightmare-induced apartment building and battle horrors to rescue your trapped ex. The gameplay is survival horror 101, but it’s executed well, with consistently clever and inventive puzzle-solving as a highlight. It may not be a graphical powerhouse, but Tenebris Somnia still maintains a creepy atmosphere thanks to solid scares partly delivered by effective and well-made live-action cinematics. If you’re going to binge horror films, you may as well play one too. You can read my full review here.

One Piece: Grand Gourmet

Kyle Hilliard

Full disclosure: I have not played One Piece: Grand Gourmet. I was trying to finish up Castlevania: Belmont's Curse when a review game landed in my lap that I've had to give my full attention. That said, I have watched a lot of the One Piece anime, have a cat named Nami, and dog named Luffy.

Pictured: Luffy having a bad day because he ate one of Nami's toys when he wasn't supposed to.

I don't know if One Piece: Grand Gourmet is any good, but I like the premise and pixel graphics. One Piece is a very malleable franchise (which is why its live action adaptation is pretty good), so the idea of managing a restaurant as Sanji feels like it could be a very good fit. I plan on climbing aboard with all my hopes and dreams soon. And it is out now, which is good to know.

Stupid Never Dies

Kyle Hilliard

Similar to the entry above, I have not yet played Stupid Never Dies yet (there are too many video games!), but we like to use this weekly article to call out the new video games of the week. I am eager to check out Stupid Never Dies primarily because of its pop-punk soundtrack and 2000s aesthetic. I think it has the potential to be a fun, nostalgic throwback to my youth when I was learning Blink-182's "Dammit" on guitar and playing Devil May Cry.

The Blood Of Dawnwalker Update

Charles Harte

The Blood of Dawnwalker has been out for just over seven weeks now, but I wouldn't blame you if you haven't finished it – or even started it – yet. A lot has come out! But if you need a reason to jump back in, this week's 1.1 update is a great excuse – the devs have added hundreds of bug fixes and other minor improvements, so it should run better than it ever did before. There's also an even easier difficulty mode if you want to cruise through without worrying about combat, and a new in-game potion that lets you respec all your skill points. I stalled out about halfway through (when I started playing Wolverine), but I'm planning to jump back in this weekend.

Oh, and you can pet dogs and cats now. Maybe I should have led with that.

Peak On Consoles

Marcus Stewart

Multiplayer physics mountain-climbing game Peak became one of the most viral co-op experiences of 2025 (I refuse to use the term friendslop), but only PC players have enjoyed its wacky shenanigans. That changed this week as Peak is now available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2. Either alone or, preferably, alongside up to three friends, you’ll try to ascend procedurally generated, absurdly unrealistic mountains riddled with dangers. Working together is key, a tricky prospect thanks to the in-game proximity chat that necessitates sticking together, but griefing each other, intentionally or otherwise, is just as entertaining – maddeningly frustrating at times, but entertaining. Peak on consoles includes all post-launch content and, best of all, supports crossplay for all platforms.

Tabletop Pick – Azul Kids

Matt Miller

The original Azul remains one of my all-time favorite games even after many years, but it just misses the bar with its strategic complexity to be one I'd pull out to play with the kids. That why I was especially delighted to find that Azul Kids is one of those rare "adapted for children" projects that turned out extremely well.

Players take on the roll of creative young artists building mosaic displays with various colored tiles. The concept remains simple enough to work for even very young players of age five or six, but the whole family should have fun with the approachable strategy implications of choosing tiles and completing your masterpiece.

Amazon’s Mass Effect TV Series Is Reportedly Still In Production Despite BioWare Closure

2026-10-23T09:29:00+00:00

EA shut down legendary RPG developer BioWare this week, canceling its in-development fifth Mass Effect game as a result. Despite the closure, Amazon Prime’s upcoming Mass Effect streaming series will proceed as planned, according to a report by IGN.

Amazon began developing a Mass Effect series in 2024. At the time, Mass Effect series executive producer Mike Gamble confirmed the show isn't a retelling of the video games, saying, “The show will explore a brand-new story within the universe's timeline, and will be set after the original trilogy. It won't be a retread of Commander Shepard's story – because after all... that's YOUR story, isn’t it?”

With BioWare’s closure, one would think the series would go up in smoke, but sources within Prime Video speaking to IGN confirmed that it remains in development. Furthermore, all of the creatives involved remain so. This includes showrunners Doug Jung (The Cloverfield Paradox, Star Trek Beyond) and Daniel Casey (F9: The Fast Saga, Wardriver), former Marvel Studios head Avi Arad, and Jessica Jones executive producer Karim Zreik. Mike Gamble was also involved, and this report suggests he still is, but it remains to be seen how his position on the project has changed with BioWare’s demise, given he served as a guiding voice from the studio. The Mass Effect series has no release window.

For more on Mass Effect, check out our review of the Legendary Edition and our recently republished Oral History of BioWare from 2016.

[Source: IGN]

A Mass Effect 5 Trailer Featuring Liara Appears To Have Leaked Following BioWare's Closure

2026-10-22T13:27:00+00:00

In case you missed the tragic news yesterday, EA laid off 400 employees this week, including all of BioWare. The studio behind Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and more, has been shut down, and its last remaining project was canceled. The game in question was a fifth entry in the Mass Effect universe, and BioWare shared very little about it – not even an official name. Following the studio's closure, however, a trailer for the sci-fi sequel started circulating around the internet.

While no official BioWare representatives have confirmed that the footage is real, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier claims that it is. Schreier has a history of credible reporting in the field, and was the first to break the news about the layoffs. IGN has also stated that it confirmed the trailer's legitimacy.

If you want to see for yourself, you can watch the trailer on Reddit.

"The following is in-engine footage form our small team," text at the start of the video reads. "It uses our pre-production assets." The footage shows no gameplay, but includes a good-looking CG cutscene of a new protagonist speaking with an asari woman in a crowded bar. As he tells her about his life, we see glimpses of him as a soldier, then as some kind of spy, traveling to several planets to track down conflicts and "stopping them before they start." After the asari woman reveals that she's been "starting the fires" he's trying to prevent, another woman behind her lowers a hood. This new woman reveals herself as Liara T'Soni, one of Mass Effect's most iconic characters.

Then, Liara and the protagonist team up to take out the woman at the bar and her henchmen, using guns and telekinetic abilities. The trailer fades to black, then fades back in to reveal the game's would-be title: Mass Effect Universe. It's a great-looking trailer – it's a shame the game will never see the light of day.

If you want to join us in grieving BioWare, we republished an oral history of the studio that was originally written by former editor Matt Bertz in 2016. You can also read our cover stories on BioWare's most recent releases: Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, Anthem, and Mass Effect Andromeda.

Dispatch's Anniversary Update Brings Commentary Track, Storyboard Mode, And Mobile Port

2026-10-22T08:39:00+00:00

Dispatch, a superhero-themed workplace comedy from last year, celebrates its one-year anniversary today. While it was released episodically, the first batch dropped on October 22. It was received well, with strong performances from a star-studded cast (including Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul) and filled a niche left vacant by Telltale Games' absence from the gaming world in recent years. Today, developer AdHoc announced a batch of anniversary content, and some of it drops today.

First, there's a new way to play Dispatch: storyboard mode. This option lets you play through the whole experience using the original animatics – rough placeholder sketches that the artists used to sync images up to the voice-over. It's a fun behind-the-scenes look at the game's development that we don't get very often. In that same vein, the cast and crew recorded DVD-style commentary tracks to play over the game, making jokes and sharing insight into the development process. A press release says there are over 16 hours of commentary from the game's development team (like art director Derek Stratton and creative directors Dennis Lenart and Nick Herman) as well as some of the cast, including Aaron Paul, Laura Bailey, and Erin Yvette.

Storyboard and Commentary modes are included in the game's deluxe edition, which you can upgrade to for $10.99. Both modes are available today.

If you haven't played the game yet, AdHoc has announced a new way to do so; Dispatch is coming to mobile platforms on December 9. It's been rebuilt to support touch controls and vertical play, and it will be available on iOS and Android. You can even play the first half of the game for free – the first four episodes are included, but you'll need to pay $19.99 to play the rest.

Finally, AdHoc announced new merch, including a book created alongside publisher Lost in Cult called Dispatch: Design Works, which is both an art book and a "making-of" book. There's also a live game soundtrack concert in Los Angeles featuring Thot Squad, Bershy, Primer, Caroline Kingsbury, Fartbarf, and Dispatch composer Andrew Arcadi with the SDN Company Band. It will be held at Avalon Hollywood on December 3, but it won't be livestreamed, so you'll need to grab a ticket to see the event. The press release states that people who signed up for updates from adhocstudio.com will be the first in line to purchase tickets.

We liked Dispatch quite a bit, with our review saying, "it delivers one of the most compelling interactive dramas in years, an adult animated superhero story with the emotional punch of prestige television and a script that truly shines." For more on the game's creation, subscribers can read our interview with the studio from the Ninja Gaiden 4 issue of Game Informer.

The Blood Of Dawnwalker Update 1.1 Adds Quality Of Life Improvements, Boosts Performance, and Adds Pettable Animals

2026-10-22T07:08:00+00:00

We've been enjoying The Blood of Dawnwalker, one of the year's biggest games, but its release was a little rough around the edges. It took a lot of feedback from fans for developer Rebel Wolves to prioritize higher framerates at launch for consoles, but even then, the game certainly struggled at times on my PlayStation 5. Today, the game's first major update drops, and it aims to smooth some of those performance issues and introduce a few quality-of-life features.

The trailer above highlights combat-specific improvements, like improved targeting and animations, and a less restrictive camera. Rebel Wolves is also lowering the health of wolves and boars, who previously remained tanky even into the later hours of the game, and it should be easier to disengage from combat, should you choose to do so. For casual players, there's a new difficulty mode; what was previously "Story" mode has been renamed "Forgiving," while the new version of "Story" mode adds additional combat assists.

Rebel Wolves has also added some new features outside of combat. A new Daught of Mind Rebirth potion allows you to respec your skill tree, re-allocating time and skill points spent to switch up your build. You can also increase the size of subtitles (an option I'm always grateful for) and pet dogs and cats. Finally, the Shadowstep and Planeshift systems should be more responsive now – here's hoping I have an easier time teleporting onto rooftops instead of the wall right below them.

Those are the major, most visible highlights, but players can view the full patch notes here to see the hundreds of other minor improvements that aim to squash bugs, reduce crashes, and improve stability.

For more on The Blood of Dawnwalker, you can check out our review, in which our reviewer admires the swings the developers took, even though they don't always pay off. You can also check out our coverage hub for our issue devoted to The Blood of Dawnwalker, including interviews with its ex-Witcher development team.

EA Is Closing Down Legendary Studio BioWare Amid More Job Cuts

2026-10-21T09:20:00+00:00

Electronic Arts plans to eliminate roughly 400 positions in an upcoming round of job cuts, per a new report from Bloomberg, and will also be closing the doors on its long-time role-playing game maker BioWare.

Per Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, these cuts represent about three percent of EA's total staff, and roughly 50 at BioWare. A letter sent to staff today from EA's COO David Tinson and Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber said that they've taken a "hard look at our business" and will cut projects, including the next Mass Effect.

"As we focus on these larger opportunities, we've had a small team at BioWare working on early-development for Mass Effect," the letter reads. "We've made the decision not to move forward with this development, which means we’re closing the studio and our Edmonton workspace. BioWare is a legendary studio that helped define the role-playing genre, and we do not take this decision lightly."

2020 trailer screenshot for the now-canceled next Mass Effect

Sports, shooters (like Apex Legends), and Star Wars (including the next Jedi title) will continue apace at Electronic Arts. The publisher also has a new Iron Man game in the works, and plans are in the works for more Battlefield, as well as a new collaboration between Respawn and DICE. The staff letter also suggests a planned Sims game will be put on ice in favor of another venture, and that while Skate development will continue, EA will downsize the team working on it.

EA was fully acquired earlier this year by a number of investor groups, including Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, taking the publicly traded company private. In its announcement at the time, EA chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson said, "We're entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition. Together, we'll invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day."

A statement from BioWare posted to social media shared the closure as well, highlighting the list of games it has brought to life: Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Anthem. The team's focus now, per the statement, is on supporting one another through this transition.

"What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember," the statement reads. "These games became so much more because you played them, debated your choices, fell in love with the characters, and made these worlds your own. From all of us at BioWare, thank you for being the most meaningful part of our story."

BioWare has been known throughout its history for exactly that: an undoubtedly legendary run of role-playing games where choice, characters, and moments matter. From the early era of D&D-driven adventures to leading the pack in console RPG development with KOTOR, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, few Western RPG studios boast the legacy BioWare had.

Still, BioWare often sailed on troubled waters. The underwhelming releases of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem tarnished the studio's pristine image in the eyes of some fans. Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the studio's most recent—and final—game was generally better received by critics, but spent a decade in development turmoil. Internal strife over the making of these massive RPGs was the subject of frequent reporting. The term "BioWare magic," referring to how the studio's games would finally come together in the twilight hours of development, became a sticking point as the years went on.

There is no denying, though, how BioWare has played an active hand in molding the role-playing genre over the years. Even a recitation of past works doesn't feel accurate to the impact; the influence of Mass Effect and Dragon Age alone is something we still see ripples of today. Even as other studios have taken up the torch and put their own spin on companion-driven, choices-matter stories, there is still an innate sense of "BioWare" that's hard to remove from those interactions and moments.

Layoffs have become distressingly commonplace, as cuts to legendary teams are announced at a never-ending pace. But to break news writing decorum, I had always hoped, throughout years of working in this industry, that I wouldn't ever have to eulogize a studio like BioWare. A place that shaped my own dive into video games, and I'm sure did the same for many, many others. A roof under which developers worked long hours to craft stories we'd carry with us for years. I'm thankful for that, and hope those affected find somewhere new that's rewarding of their talents.

Here's A Recap Of The October 2026 ID@Xbox Showcase

2026-10-20T11:35:00+00:00

If you're an Xbox owner looking for new indie games to play, today's ID@Xbox showcase provided 30 minutes of new, upcoming, and existing indie games coming to Microsoft's platforms. We've rounded up every announcement here for a quick recap of the event.

Magenta Down (World Premiere) - 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

2 Ton Studios, creators of 2020's Unto the End, announced this atmospheric sci-fi title about surviving a harsh exoplanet. For you and your crew to survive, you must scavenge resources while enduring injury and radiation. You'll also have to battle what appear to be giant alien sea urchins.

Croak - March 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass Day 1)

Frogs are the de facto mascot of the indie scene, and Croak, a hand-drawn 2D platformer, keeps this unofficial tradition alive. As the Frog Prince, you'll use your lengthy and sticky tongue to grapple up platforms and propel yourself forward, then roll into a ball to bounce onto and between objects like an amphibian Sonic the Hedgehog.

Mr. Records - Spring 2027

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC

Developer Glee-Cheese Studio treated viewers to a full look at one of the game's many music-based platforming levels.

Chronoscript: The Endless End - Summer 2027

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

This hand-drawn search action game about an editor trapped inside an unfinished manuscript is coming to Xbox after previously being announced for PS5 and PC.

Love is a Roguelike - Fall 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

Developer Titan1Studios describes Love is a Roguelike as "50 First Dates meets Edge of Tomorrow", which is quite an intriguing combination of story premises. This deck-building strategy sci-fi western stars a Rex, a rogue space marshal, and his partner, Lakshmi, who must recover the shattered memories of the latter while trapped in a time loop on an asteroid.

Drill Keeper - Summer 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass Day 1)

This blend of roguelike deckbuilding and tower defense tasks players with stripping fully destructible worlds of their riches while protecting your Planetary Drill by erecting fortresses and other defenses.

Mr. Magpie’s Harmless Card Game - Early 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass Day 1)

This sinister deckbuilder sees you gamble your life for cash in the deadly corporate office of Mr. Magpie, a deranged puppet voiced by Matt Mercer. You're trapped, so to climb the corporate ladder, you must strategically flip cards, stack your deck, take advantage of synergies, and, whatever you do, avoid Jerry cards.

Waveling Island (World Premiere) - 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

There's no shortage of indie creature collecting games, but Waveling Island aims to win fans over with its hand-drawn pixel art, cozy vibes, and tropical island backdrop. After washing ashore, you'll capture, train, and battle various strange creatures (e.g., a sentient pencil) while befriending the island's residents and unraveling a big mystery. You can also rebuild the island by gathering resources to construct and decorate buildings.

A Game About Digging A Hole Together - December 4

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC

The multiplayer sequel to the minimalist viral hit A Game About Digging a Hole is, like its 2025 predecessor, exactly what it sounds like. Up to four friends can now work together to dig a big hole, only this time it's on a beach. You can unlock new digging equipment, find treasure, and collect and sell resources to keep your dig going as deep as possible.

Scramble Knights Online - October 26

Xbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass Day 1)

Formerly known as Scramble Knights Royale, the game’s focus has shifted to focus on co-op exploration in a shared world with other players. This MMO-lite features dungeons to crawl, monsters to slay, and loot to find for those looking for a multiplayer take on classic Zelda.

Paper Shredder - Winter 2026

Xbox Series X/S, PC

Another game that's exactly what it sounds like: you must shred confidential company documents to earn a $1 million payout. Destroying towering paper stacks becomes an easier task thanks to the moral support of the constantly-watching, toxically positive "Happiness Manager".

Vanran - Early 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

This dark fantasy RPG centers on a human slaving away in the Demon Realm who rebels against his captors. The third-person Souls-like action looks bloody and brutal, though genre fans probably wouldn't want it any other way.

Rustown - June 30, 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

Set in a post-apocalyptic world wiped out by the "idiot virus", the protagonist receives a letter from their long-missing father to kick off a search for answers. The story-driven action games challenge players to survive slums filled with infected citizens in a narrative centered on finding life and kindness in a broken world.

Red Kiss - 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC (Game Pass Day 1)

The team behind Herald: The Interactive Period Drama tells a decidedly more fantastical tale about dispatching a team of vampires in Cold War-era Berlin. To succeed in this tactical narrative RPG, you must navigate choice-driven scenarios to earn the trust of your undead teammates and use their powers to determine the destiny of your house.

Graytail - November 2027

Xbox Series X/S, PC

After the greatest female pilot goes missing, players control a headache-suffering detective searching for her whereabouts. The top-down adventure sees players gather clues, solve puzzles, and regularly take medication to remedy their persistent headache. You'll also battle enemies with over eight weapons, including a cane, umbrella, and crossbow.

Zero Parades: Director’s Cut - November 3

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, the spiritual follow-up to Disco Elysium, only launched in May, but it already has a much-improved Director's Cut coming next month. This version features new scenes adding over 40,000 words), a backstage mode, a new dramatic encounter, voice-over improvements, new clothing items, a new death screen, inventory filtering, and more. While the update has been available for the existing versions of the game on PS5 and PC, it will be the default version when it comes to Xbox.

The Wolf Among Us Remastered - October 29

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC

Check out a new story trailer for the upcoming remaster of one of Telltale Games' most celebrated adventures ahead of its launch in a couple of weeks.

Shrek 2 Remastered (World Premiere) - November 10

PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, Switch, PC

The cult-favorite movie tie-in to Shrek 2 is being remastered courtesy of Aspyr. If you missed the 2004 game, it features Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and other familiar faces battling evil in solo or co-op play for up to four players (local and online). The remaster boasts improved visuals, new features such as a photo mode, and the ability to swap characters instantly.

The Video Games And More You Should Play This Weekend – October 16, 2026

2026-10-16T13:00:00+00:00

Welcome to spooky month where lawns suddenly grow giant skeletons, it's cold enough for a hoodie, the remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 released on Switch 2, and we're all prepping to hunker down for Winter. And Grand Theft Auto VI.

We're still in the thick of new release season which, fun fact, used to just be the month of November. But now it starts in August and ends in March, give or take a few weeks.

Before we get to our regularly scheduled weekend recommendations, though, here are some of the biggest Game Informer stories of the week.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse

Kyle Hilliard

It has been a long wait for a brand new Castlevania game, and frankly, I think Belmont's Curse has been worth the time spent in the queue. Charles Harte agrees, as he wrote in his review, "Belmont's Curse is a strong reminder of why the Castlevania series is so influential, with a rich world, tense combat, and a map chock-full of secrets. While this latest entry certainly pays homage to the Castlevanias of yore, it also breathes fresh life into the franchise, making me excited for its future. Castlevania is back, and between Rose Belmont and Evil Empire, it's in great hands."

The game comes from the team behind Dead Cells, a game heavily influenced by Castlevania to begin with, and the result shows how great a fit the team and franchise is. Controlling Rose Belmont feels great, the world is big and fun to explore without being overbearing, and beating each boss is a rewarding challenge. I often feel one mark of a good game for me is if it keeps me up past my bedtime, and Belmont's Curse is, unfortunately, doing a great job of making me feel tired all day. But that's a good thing.

Silver Pines

Kyle Hilliard

The short pitch for Silver Pines is that it is a Metroid-inspired game crossed with a Silent Hill game. That's a good hook on its own, but what makes it stand out (at least in the limited time I have so far spent with it), is its animation. I don't know that it was actually rotoscoped (think the original 1989 Prince of Persia), but it feels like it was, which makes it look great and lends it an intentional level of uncanny valley that aids the creepy atmosphere. Throw in a dash of Twin Peaks energy, and you end up with something that feels unique against a sea of comparable (but often well-designed) Metroid-inspired games.

Just Dance: Decades Of Hits

Kyle Hilliard

Just Dance is an frequent tradition in my household. We don't play it every year, but I was eager to check out Decades of Hits because of its included soundtrack. Just Dance generally leans on contemporary music and as a dad facing down his forties (who is still very cool, right? Right?!) I appreciate the chance to learn about recent pop hits and make a fool of myself in front of my family, but I like how musically diverse this entry is.

You have Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Olivia Rodrigo songs (which I adore), but you also get ABBA, Spice Girls, No Doubt, Daft Punk, Britney Spears, Sum 41, TLC, Gorillaz, Run DMC, Billy Joel, and Elton John among many others.

Also, in recent years, Just Dance has started its own tradition of including at least one shockingly impressive stop-motion animated sequence. I am not sure what executive at Ubisoft is accidentally approving the budget for the continued creation of these types of videos, but I hope they never notice because they're great.

The Jackbox Party Pack 12

Kyle Hilliard

You really can’t go wrong with any Jackbox game. Sure, there are some occasional duds in the packages, but there are always at least one or two super fun games that are always worth returning to. 12 is out this week and includes a game about sorting trivia questions into the right categories at high speed, one where you try to make the most ridiculous greeting card, a game encouraging silly debates, one that identifies connections among everyone playing, and finally Hyperface, where you manipulate selfies.

Maestro On Switch 2

Matt Miller

After an earlier release on VR platforms, the rhythm game Maestro recently made its way onto Switch and Switch 2, including a physical game cartridge launch. If you've always secretly loved the idea of stepping up onto the podium for a try at the conductor's gig, it's one worth tracking down. The game includes a number of classical hits from the likes of Beethoven, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky, but there's also the chance to play more contemporary tracks like those you'd hear in Star Wars or Game of Thrones. With Joy-Cons in hand, you'll keep the tempo, cue in musicians, adjust dynamics, and more. The accompanying visuals and "storytelling" aren't going to blow your mind, but the included music is hard to beat, and with occasional exceptions where the game misread my motions, I found the motion-tracking mostly up to the task of nailing the fantasy.

Toy Story: Retro Roundup / Toy Story 3 Complete Edition

Brian Shea

If you spent hours playing the early Toy Story games, then the retro compilation masters at Digital Eclipse have something for you in the form of Toy Story: Retro Roundup. On top of Toy Story, Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, Toy Story 2, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, and Toy Story Racer (including multiple versions of many of these), you can also get your hands on the 1998 A Bug's Life game. It may not have the breadth of extra content of something like Digital Eclipse's Atari 50 or Tetris Forever, but it's a fun stroll down memory lane with some behind-the-scenes interviews and materials. Alongside this retro collection, there's also the separate Toy Story 3 Complete Edition, also released by Digital Eclipse this week.

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III]

Wesley LeBlanc

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I~III] – yes, that’s really what it’s called – is out on Nintendo Switch 2, and after spending some time with it, man, it feels right at home on the console. This collection includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 +2.5 ReMix (which itself includes a bunch of Kingdom Hearts games, including 1 and 2), Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC. Basically, it has everything you need to catch up on the Kingdom Hearts saga before Kingdom Hearts IV launches next year.

As for actually playing these games, they feel amazing on Switch 2, courtesy of HD resolutions, on handheld and docked, and 60 FPS gameplay. I don’t know why exactly, but playing the Kingdom Hearts series on Switch 2 just feels right. It probably has something to do with just how many of these games were Nintendo console originals. Nonetheless, if you’re new to Kingdom Hearts or looking for a new place to tear up while "Dearly Beloved" plays, this Switch 2 collection will satisfy your needs.

Tabletop Pick – Forest Shuffle: Smoky Mountains

Matt Miller

This new standalone version of Forest Shuffle does more than transplant the theming into the Smoky Mountains of North America. It has also allowed its creators to refine balance, add new elements (like an intriguing new water/river terrain), create a more vibrant and visually beautiful presentation, and overall, up the value and playability of the game across the board. In short, it's what I think is the best version of an already very good game.

For newcomers, the Forest Shuffle formula is a card game that involves a mix of card hand management and tableau-building, as you slowly play out a forest scene onto the table, filled with unique trees, animals, and plants, and gathering points for the types and variety of things living in your woods. It's an approachable and visually enchanting game that still offers plenty of strategic depth as you plan out the shape and potential of your nature scene, all while planning against the impending arrival of winter.

Stranger Than Heaven: Snoop Dogg Teaches Protagonist Makoto How To Rap In New Story Trailer

2026-10-16T06:12:37+00:00

Yakuza/Like a Dragon developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios is releasing its quasi-prequel game, Stranger Than Heaven, in January, and ahead of its release, the team has been pulling back the curtain on protagonist Makoto Daito's decades-spanning adventure through Japan. A new story trailer RGG released today shows Makoto arriving in Japan and seemingly learning to rap, courtesy of Snoop Dogg's Orpheus.

Titled "Act 1: Kokura Story Trailer," this new Stranger Than Heaven teases how Makoto traveled to Japan to learn English and work before deciding he wants to go to Japan. He ends up on a large ship and begs Orpheus to take him to Japan. And so, Makoto's first stop in the country is Kokura, Fukuoka Prefecture, in 1915. Stranger Than Heaven spans multiple decades across its 50-year story, taking Makoto to Kure, Minami, Atami, and finally Shinjuku.

Check out the latest Stranger Than Heaven story for yourself below:

Stranger Than Heaven launches January 15 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

In the meantime, read our interview with RGG Studio head about the late hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur's controversial inclusion in Stranger Than Heaven, then read our hands-on preview of the game.

Nekome: Nazi Hunter Director On Whether The Game Is Political, Art Inspiration, Metaphysical Themes, Steam Demo, And More

2026-10-15T12:45:56+00:00

I've been tracking Nekome: Nazi Hunter here at Game Informer since its reveal earlier this year. I finally went hands-on with it during Gamescom 2026 and relished just how disrespectfully brutal it is to Nazis. You will soon get the chance to experience that brutality yourself because developer ProbablyMonsters is releasing a demo on Steam soon on October 19, and it will be available through October 26.

Ahead of that demo launch, ProbablyMonsters also released a new trailer highlighting the game's narrative and villainous Hyena troupe of Nazi leaders as part of today's Galaxies Autumn Showcase. These Hyenas are at the center of protagonist Vano's Nazi hunting, and they are a notorious squad of Nazi agents whose extreme brand of cruelty made them feared across occupied Europe and the world, according to a press release. Players will control Vano as he kills countless Nazis in violent and bloody ways while tracking down each of the Hyenas (who he will presumably also kill violently and bloodily).

Check it out in the latest Nekome: Nazi Hunter trailer for yourself below:

Game Informer also spoke to Nekome: Nazi Hunter game director Jeronimo Barrera about the game in the lead-up to this trailer and the incoming Steam Next Fest demo. In the interview, which took place over email, Barrera talks about the game's politics (or lack thereof), the Hyenas, visual inspiration, and more:

Game Informer's Wesley LeBlanc: How did the team decide on the Hyenas as the antagonists/villains of the game, rather than say, the obvious choice of Hitler?

Barrera: As we developed the narrative, we had already committed to pursuing the grindhouse aesthetic that would drive the presentation. We needed a disgusting set of villains that would be fun to hunt down and murder. Although we are rooted in real-world events, the player fantasy we are after is to hunt down and murder as many Nazis, both big and small, and that needs to deliver over-the-top fun.

Can you tell me about the Hyenas? What are their differences from a narrative perspective, and what are their differences from a gameplay perspective? Does each Hyena approach the hunt for Vano in different ways?

We introduce the Hyenas almost immediately in the narrative. After that, the player won’t be confused as to why they need to hunt them down, not the other way around! Vano hunts them down, and each Hyena boss fight is a unique challenge that pushes the players' abilities.

It sounds like Vano will be hunted across occupied Europe and beyond? What can you tell me about that beyond?

Our research into how we can tell a new story and give a new experience has given us a lot of surprising locations to explore. For example, we were shocked when we realized that we could have our first encounters with Nazis on U.S. soil! Vano’s adopted home is New York City. It’s hard to believe, but there were Nazi Party rallies in New York. This is where Vano starts his hunt through a tragic coincidence, which then takes Vano to Europe. But he’s not being hunted; he is the hunter.

Is there anything larger than life or supernatural or demonic happening narratively, or is it Vano versus some Nazis that are led by the Hyenas? I ask because scenes in this new trailer almost imply some monstrous transformation, or maybe even something vampiric, as blood drips from the Hyenas' faces (though I recognize that could just be a style choice).

The Nazis were hideous monsters. We play on those themes for our abilities and how we present them to the player. There are themes we explore that could be considered metaphysical. But with that said, it’s up for people to interpret the narrative on their own.

How would you describe the art style/visual design of the game?

Our biggest inspiration came from the grindhouse film genre. Turning the stylized pulpiness and violence of movies like Inglourious Basterds into a video game was a challenge that the team was excited to tackle, and we believe this grindhouse spirit gives our game a distinct visual style.

Graphic novels were another major influence. Our goal with the art style was to create something over the top and entertaining, while respecting the serious subject matter. The game would lose its sense of fun if it looked too real, and graphic novels helped us find a look that is visually interesting yet able to handle the story’s darkness and violence.

How long has the team been working on the game?

The team began working on the game in 2024. The genesis of the game was a meeting inside ProbablyMonsters where we started quoting Inglourious Basterds, and we all became set on the idea of making a game about hunting down and killing Nazis through an untold Second World War story.

How big is the team?

Nekome: Nazi Hunter’s development is led internally at ProbablyMonsters by Brett Bourbin, Brand Inman, Sergei Kuprejanov, Kay Willis and me, with assistance from co-development partners.

What has it been like working on a smaller title like this and what does your AAA experience bring to the project?

Going from concept to the player’s hands in 18 months is an epic lift that’s only possible with amazing devs that bring extraordinary experience and expertise. The AAA sensibilities run deep at ProbablyMonsters; there are some legends in our house. What makes us different is that our independent approach allows us to tell unique stories and make experiences like Nekome that would have a hard time getting to market.

After Gamescom, ButWhyTho? published a story about how Willis said the game isn’t political, and it caused a lot of discussion/backlash about the game. I wanted to see if the team had any follow-up on the idea that Nekome isn’t political now that some time has passed. At least from my perspective, all art is political; not to mention, making a game where you’re very much visibly and graphically killing and mutilating Nazis is sending a very clear message, especially in 2026 when we have people proudly stating they are a Nazi today. But that’s just my line of thinking – I’m curious where the team lands on this discussion now that some additional time has passed.

I think we're overcomplicating this. Nazis are bad. That shouldn't be a political statement, just common sense. Nekome is a revenge story about people who suffered horrific atrocities at the hands of Nazis. We're not making a statement about modern politics. We're telling a story with villains who are unquestionably evil.

If someone feels politically attacked by a game where you kill Nazis, maybe they should take a long, hard look in the mirror.

Anything I missed you’d like to touch on?

We created Nekome because we saw an opportunity to tell a Second World War story through a perspective that games have rarely depicted. World War II is one of the most common settings in media. And yet, there are almost no games that explore the persecution of the Roma and Sinti during that period.

That is a real, deeply horrible part of history, so our story also comes with responsibility. The team has worked with historians and cultural consultants to help us approach Vano’s identity, his community and the historical context thoughtfully and credibly. We promise to tell Vano’s story honestly and approach that history with care.

House House Chose Not To Put Big Walk On Xbox In Accordance With Palestinian-Led BDS Boycott Against Microsoft Games

2026-10-15T10:35:00+00:00

Untitled Goose Game developer House House launched Big Walk, its multiplayer cooperative puzzle-adventure game, on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Mac in August to critical acclaim. Since then, players have asked the studio to release the game on Xbox Series X/S, the only console absent from its launch lineup. Today, House House released an explanation stating that Big Walk is not on Xbox in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS boycott against Microsoft.

"We have made the decision not to release Big Walk on Xbox, in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement call to boycott Microsoft, and their designation of Microsoft Games (and Xbox) as a priority boycott target," the statement reads.

House House later writes that it would love for players to experience Big Walk on Xbox, but notes that won't happen until Microsoft and/or Xbox have been removed as BDS boycott targets.

BDS is an international boycott movement "for freedom, justice, and equality," and "upholds the simple principle that Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity," according to the organization. BDS states that Israel is occupying and colonizing Palestinian land, discriminating against Palestinian citizens of Israel, and denying Palestinian refugees the right to return to their homes. The movement, which has been around since 2005, is inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement and urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law, which BDS says the country has been noncompliant with since 1948.

As for the Microsoft and Xbox boycott target prioritization, BDS says on its website that "Microsoft is perhaps the most complicit tech company in Israel's illegal occupation, apartheid regime, and ongoing genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. [...] Microsoft partners with the apartheid regime of Israel and its prison system. It provides the Israeli military with Azure cloud and AI services that are central to accelerating Israel's genocide of 2.3 million Palestinians in the illegally occupied Gaza Strip. After 34 years of deep complicity with Israel's military, the Israeli army relies heavily on Microsoft to meet technological requirements of its genocide and apartheid regime."

The BDS movement also calls on people to boycott Microsoft's gaming products, including canceling Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, boycotting Candy Crush, Minecraft, and Call of Duty, and boycotting all Microsoft Gaming products, including Xbox-branded consoles, headsets, and all games published by Microsoft-owned publishing labels.

House House closes its statement, which you can read in full via the image below, stating, "We've made this decision with the belief that meaningful change can be made in the world, that coordinated collective action can confront even the most powerful interests, and that one day, Palestine will be free."

Here is the studio's full statement:

Big Walk sold one million copies in less than a week. Read Game Informer's Big Walk review here.

Hit Indie Co-Op Climbing 'Friendslop' Game, Peak, Launches On Consoles This Month

2026-10-15T09:24:05+00:00

There's a lot of debate about the term "friendslop" these days, but regardless of how you feel, it's clear most players of these games call them that affectionately. Perhaps the most successful friendslop game is Peak, which hit critical mass amongst friend groups, Discords, Twitch streams, and more after its June launch last year. Now, it's set to reach new friend groups as Peak launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2 next week.

More specifically, developers Aggro Crab and Landfall will release Peak on PS5 on October 22. The console versions of Peak will include "all content updates, biomes, and new items the game has received since launch," including custom mountain runs.

You can get a taste of Peak's humor and gameplay in the new trailer below:

Peak launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2 on October 22.

Meanwhile, read Game Informer's review of Peak.

El Paso, Elsewhere 2: Vampire Shooter Sequel Demo Available Now Alongside New Trailer

2026-10-15T06:41:42+00:00

Developer Strange Scaffold, the studio behind games like I Am Your Beast and TMNT: Tactical Takedown, has released a new trailer for El Paso, Elsewhere 2, highlighting the game's third-person vampire-shooter action. Plus, you can play the game today thanks to a new demo on Steam.

This sequel is the follow-up to 2023's breakout El Paso, Elsewhere (which is also getting a TV adaptation – thanks, GameSpot), and brings back protagonist James Savage as he continues his journey across the United States to kill monsters like gargoyles, possessed animatronics, vampires, and more, and seal away these evil forces. Strange Scaffold says James is betrayed by a close friend and dragged into the Void itself to repay a terrible debt to an Eldritch horror. "He once killed the monster he loved to save the world," a press release reads. "Now, he must save his betrayer to save himself."

Check out the new El Paso, Elsewhere 2 trailer for yourself below:

Strange Scaffold says today's new demo features a single level early in the sequel's campaign, set in a fairytale forest. It features weapons new to the series, like an M16 and an automatic shotgun, and players can expect the aforementioned gargoyles and vampires, along with witches and more.

The full release of El Paso, Elsewhere 2 will feature more than 20 levels, 15 weapons, Frankenstein, and a "neo-noir tale of supernatural grief and recovery."

Xalavier Nelson Jr., who is the studio head of Strange Scaffold, writes in a press release, "We looked back to the PS2 not just for inspiration, but for methodology. Just like the games we grew up loving, we're directly using the foundation and assets of the original project to drive a quantum leap in gameplay. Combat is faster, more brutal, and more nimble, and takes place in exponentially more detailed environments."

El Paso, Elsewhere 2 launches next year on Xbox Series X/S and PC (via Steam).

Grand Theft Auto VI Gets A Final, Salacious Trailer

2026-10-15T05:29:16+00:00

Grand Theft Auto VI is nearly, actually, truly upon us. The game releases November 19 and to celebrate the release that is about a month a four days away, Rockstar has unleashed its presumed final trailer.

The trailer offers a little background on Jason, some insight into his and Lucia's relationship, lots of explosions, a man eating fried chicken in a very intimidating way, and hints at the physical and emotional strife the protagonist duo will be experiencing in the game.

The trailer features a song with a very long title called Flower In A Hurricane (feat. Tame Impala, SZA, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard) [from GTAVI], which you can find embedded below. Look out out for that song to break streaming records soon just as Tom Petty's "Love Is a Long Road" did recently after appearing in a GTAVI trailer.

For a whole lot more on Grand Theft Auto VI, you’re in the right place. Grand Theft Auto VI is currently our cover story and if you subscribe now, you will get the issue in the mail as your first issue. In our cover story we talked to members of Rockstar about creating the game, focusing specifically on the featured state of Leonida and its various cities, like Vice City.

Grand Theft Auto VI releases November 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Epic Games' Unannounced Marvel And Star Wars Shooter Delayed As Company Goes All-In On AI Development

2026-10-14T10:05:00+00:00

Epic Games has reportedly delayed the release of an upcoming shooter game featuring Marvel and Star Wars characters from March to an unspecified date, according to Bloomberg. According to the publication's sources, Epic is delaying the release because it is shifting to an "AI-first" production model using tools like Anthropic's Claude.

"No more hand-written code" is something one of the shooter's directors told staff in an internal email reviewed by Bloomberg alongside instructions that all art for the game will be "generated with full AI workflows." Two days after Bloomberg published the article, Epic revealed that its new Epic Games Launcher is available for preview and that it was "vibe coded" because "programming is hard." Notably, Epic is the company behind arguably the world's biggest live-service game, Fortnite, and the world's largest game development toolkit, Unreal Engine. "Programming is hard" is a strange thing to read from said company.

"Programming is hard [so] instead of doing that, we vibe coded a new Epic Games Launcher that's way faster and more responsive than the current one, and has a new look," a blog post reads.

Epic claims this new launcher launches 46% faster than Steam, its biggest competitor, and that Epic can "restore from system tray to library" 14% faster than Steam. However, users of the new launcher in Preview have seen less-than-stellar results that don't match Epic's findings. In this video posted to Bluesky by Aftermath's Chris Person, the new launcher appears to be laggy, buggy, unresponsive at times, and slow.

Regarding the unannounced Marvel and Star Wars shooter and its reported "AI first" development, Epic Games communications director Jake Jones told Bloomberg, "We're embracing AI-accelerated development, led by Epic developers who are the visionaries and creative drivers for everything we do." That said, Epic laid off more than 1,000 employees in March.

Bloomberg says Epic's behind-the-scenes plans for its "AI first" approach are to have human hands guide the code and art that AI creates.

This Marvel and Star Wars shooter is likely part of Disney's $1.5 billion investment in Epic, announced in 2024. Beyond Fortnite skins, little has come of this investment so far, though game development timelines are longer than ever.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Jane Foster, Venom, And Jubilee Will Join Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls As Year 1 DLC

2026-10-12T08:30:00+00:00

A couple of months back, we learned that Phoenix Cyclops would be the first DLC fighter to join Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. He was just the first character in the game's Year 1 DLC roadmap, however. This weekend, the next three characters were revealed. Jane Foster as Thor, Venom, and Jubilee are coming to the game over the next year, and Jane is coming this Winter. Check out the reveal trailer below.

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls has an interesting roster, because in many cases, they opt to take a lesser-known alternative to a popular character. Black Panther is Shuri instead of T'Challa, Robbie Reyes is Ghost Rider instead of Johnny Blaze, and now they've opted for Jane Foster over the original Thor Odinson. The reveal doesn't show any gameplay, so we can probably expect a more in-depth character showcase as her launch approaches. Jane Foster Thor is scheduled to drop in "winter 2027," which likely means January or February of next year.

The trailer also reveals the game's other two Year 1 DLC fighters, though they're not presented in engine. Instead, they're drawn in comic artist Peach Momoko's signature watercolor style. Venom drops next spring, while Jubilee joins in the summer. Venom's release will also include a new stage: Klyntar, the alien home world of the symbiotes.

For more Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, check out our review of the game, then watch the reveal for Phoenix Cyclops, who joins the fight on November 2.