S.O.P.H.I.A.
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Daft but brilliant curation sim Two Point Museum is grabbing its D20s and venturing into the world of medieval fantasy for its first paid DLC release, which promises magical exhibits (and ensuing curses for unsuspecting guests), RPG-inspired expeditions, and more this July.
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Resident Evil: Requiem, also known as Resident Evil 9, stars Grace Ashcroft, the presumed daughter of Resident Evil: Outbreak's Alyssa Ashcroft. The decision to cast a new character in the lead role isn't unheard of for Resident Evil--the last two games have starred Ethan Winters, who was also new at the time. However, fans of the series might've expected a familiar face, such as Leon S. Kennedy, to reappear as the playable character. During the Capcom Showcase for June 2025, the developer-publisher explained why Leon, specifically, isn't a good fit for Requiem.
"We always thought about making Leon the protagonist," a developer said during the showcase, "but making a horror game based around him is difficult. He wouldn't jump at something like a bucket falling. No one wants to see Leon scared by every little thing. So he's actually quite a bad match for horror." Grace, meanwhile, is said to be an FBI analyst who is trained with guns but must learn to overcome some of her fears over the course of the game's story, as she's initially "introverted and easily scared."
Leon has previously starred in three mainline Resident Evil entries: Resident Evil 2, alongside Claire Redfield, Resident Evil 4--often lauded as the series' best entry--and Resident Evil 6 as one of multiple playable characters. He's appeared in several other offshoots throughout Resident Evil's history, too, such as ReVerse and Operation Raccoon City, and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in the franchise.
It's unclear what role, if any, Leon may play in Resident Evil: Requiem, though Capcom tends to thrust its famous faces into its stories even when they aren't the protagonist or playable character. Chris Redfield, for example, plays an important role in Resident Evil: Village.
If only Leon weren't so hunky and valiant, he may appear once more as the central figure in one of Capcom's more horror-centric entries like next February's Requiem.
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Monster Hunter Wilds next free content update is adding two new monsters, Lagiacrus and Seregios, along with underwater combat and layered weapons.
Announced during the Capcom Spotlight showcase, Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 2 arrives on June 30, and it is adding a ton of new content to the game. The biggest new additions here are the two monsters, both of which are returning favorites from previous games. Lagiacrus is a sea wyvern, preferring a water habitat. While Capcom's trailer depicted it fighting on land, it also included underwater combat sections, as well. Meanwhile, Seregios is a medium-sized wyvern with bright gold scales. Both of those monsters will be available on June 30.
The new monsters will be available on June 30, with other features rolling out later. Capcom also ran down the schedule of new content coming to Monster Hunter Wilds throughout the summer. On June 30, the next wave of cosmetic DLC will arrive, adding new layered armor and emotes. Late July will see the release of the next tempered monster, Arch Temper Uth Duna. Festival of Accord: Flamefete, a summer-themed event with new cosmetics and event quests, runs from July 23 to August 6. On August 27, Capcom is releasing a new emote in collaboration with Fender guitars. Capcom concluded by revealing that Title Update 3, which will add another monster, will arrive in late September.
The update also adds a number of small quality-of-life features, like layered weapons and improved photo mode options, like new lighting options. Unfortunately for PC players, Capcom made no mention of Monster Hunter Wilds' ongoing performance issues, like inconsistent frame rates and the game not booting for some players after an update.
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The Awaysis is a mysterious floating relic from which water flows down like rain to the animals living below--until it suddenly stops, causing widespread drought and panic. Cue the arrival of brave little fox Auro to the titular island in the sky, with the mission of figuring out what's going on. But more importantly, being up this high is an open invitation to swing your sword to smack enemies off the edge of the floating ruin, sending them plummeting to the planet below.
That's the key differentiator for Awaysis and why developer 17-Bit is referring to it as a dungeon brawler, rather than a dungeon crawler. While creative director Jake Kazdal cites a variety of inspirations, from the 16-bit Secret of Mana to Minecraft Dungeons, those games are about getting better gear to make your damage numbers go up. Kazdal said he's grown tired of the constant focus on damage numbers, as well as the canned animations and responses that deliver them to enemies. Instead of that approach, the combat in Awaysis is driven by what he claims to be cutting-edge physics simulation that isn't being done by anyone else.
"We want to do something that feels very weighty, it's not scripted animations, it's not frame-perfect timing," he said to me when I visited the Kyoto-based studio for an exclusive first look of Awaysis, prior to the game's official announcement at IGN Live during Summer Game Fest. "It's very much greedy, dirty, physical combat, but based on a classic aesthetic."
An oversized sword is the best kind of sword. Physics systems have, of course, become essential to the ways many modern games are played at their fundamental core, from Half-Life 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. These examples, however, are outbound, where the player's actions affect the world around them but not the other way around.
"On a moment-to-moment level, when you swing your sword, it's going to have the same canned response every single time, so there's no subtlety to the combat, it's just very rote," Kazdal said.
It's why Awaysis is instead inspired by pure physics-simulated games such as Human Fall Flat and Gang Beasts, where there is a dynamic weight to gameplay that players are reacting to. But Kazdal also has frustrations with the goopy and sluggish feel of these games--and so 17-Bit has built its own physics tools with the aim of bringing the tight inputs of a classic arcade game with emergent dynamic outcomes.
Look at all those ledges for enemies to fall off of. "What we want is that [when] I swing my sword and hit a wall, we have a target animation that plays a recoil, but we combine actual physical information with animation data that's going to simulate how much that sword will bounce back," he explained.
Indeed, much of how the physics affect animation is determined by the melee weapons you wield. That's partly why you're playing as a diminutive critter two-handing comically oversized weapons, though it might also be down to Kazdal's preference for using the claymore when playing Dark Souls.
"We wanted your physical interactions to be super readable, even on a smaller screen, and the weapons are kind of the star of the show," he said.
Basic sword attacks come in either thrusts or slashes, executed either by hitting a bumper or trigger and with the direction of the swing determined by whether you're pressing buttons on the left or right side of the controller. Attacks are made more effective when you charge them by holding the button down, with your blade itself filling with a bright color like a diegetic power gauge. A tap gives a weak but quick jab attack, while fully charging up packs enough power to send enemies flying like a baseball. Squeezing both triggers launches Auro in the air with a rising slash like a Ryu-style Shoryuken from Street Fighter, while the same action performed in the air will slam the sword downward with a lot more power--enough to break crates or other structures.
Protagonist Auro is so cute! Your weapon is also your means of defense for blocking and deflecting incoming strikes. Push the right stick and you'll hold your weapon in front of you in that direction. Time it right and you can bounce an enemy's weapon back with a boing, staggering them as stars swirl above their heads as if they're in a Looney Tunes cartoon.
It's not just about weapons though, as you can also slide on the ground. When taking advantage of sloping surfaces, it's a quicker way of moving, but with enough speed, you'll also be able to smash through crates or even slide into foes to punt them back.
All these elements taken together demonstrate, despite the isometric appearances, that this isn't a dungeon crawler. With other platforms and objects to take advantage of, each room in Awaysis almost reminds me of the arenas from fighting game Power Stone, with the added option of being able to ring-out your opponents.
The enemy AI in Halo was influential for Awaysis. That doesn't mean enemies will just stand around, waiting for you to knock them off the floating island. Something that 17-Bit has prided itself on in its games, from debut tactics entry Skulls of the Shogun to the wildlife of VR survival adventure Songs in the Smoke, is having enemies that actually think. As I greet a gang of long-eared imps, I notice how they position themselves away from platform edges, and as I anticipate parrying an attack, one of them steps forward and catches me off guard with a shove.
"They have self-preservation tendencies, they're strategising, they're communicating with each other. We try to make the enemies feel as player-analogue as possible," said Kazdal.
He cites the enemy AI in Halo as being incredibly influential, especially if you choose to slide up to the highest difficulty in a mission in Awaysis. Weakened enemies in Awaysis will also run away, and they'll even try to make off with any food lying around so they can heal themselves. As it takes time to consume an item, you do have an opportunity to interrupt them while they eat to claim it back for yourself. There's a real intentional messiness to these systems that makes each combat encounter feel different and keeps you on your toes.
Even the enemies look pretty cute! There is still something of a numbers game, as you will be leveling up and upgrading your gear as the game goes on. Randomized loot with procedurally generated buffs and upgrade paths provide incentive for replaying missions, which will also change as stronger enemy types appear on repeat visits. But at its core, Awaysis isn't about long-term RPG systems but about the moment-to-moment experience, for which Kazdal has his own very technical term.
"I call them FPS--f**ks per second," he says. "I love racing games where you're paying attention to your momentum, your weight, your timing, for every frame. Your f**ks per second [in Awaysis] are very high compared to something like Diablo, where you can just be clicking and you don't have to be 100% checked in. In this game, you need to earn your hits, you need to earn your blocks, it's very physical, so it's meant to have super high FPS!"
Awaysis is coming soon to Xbox Series X, PS5, and PC.
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Prime Day is generally one of the best times of the year to buy an Amazon device, including the retailer's popular Kindle ereaders. It's also the perfect time to try Kindle Unlimited, the ebook subscription service that lets readers borrow and instantly download up to 20 ebooks at once.
As part of Amazon's early Prime Day 2025 sale, Prime members can get their first three months of Kindle Unlimited for free. Former members should also check their eligibility, as Amazon sometimes lets you take advantage of new subscriber promotions if it's been a while since you canceled your membership.
Kindle Unlimited costs $12/month, so the freebie is worth $36. Prime Day 2025 is slated for July 8-11, but this promotion and the retailer's Audible Premium Plus deal are available through July 31.
Kindle Unlimited includes access to over four million ebooks, digital comics, manga, and magazines in Amazon's library. Many titles even come with free audiobook versions that are automatically added to your Audible library and can be listened to on smartphones, tablets, and computers.
After the free trial is over, your account will automatically roll over to the normal $12/month payment plan, but you're free to cancel at any time if you don't want to stick with the service. Amazon doesn't say how long this offer will be available, so Prime members should redeem the deal while it's still available.
If you're not already a Prime Member, you can sign up now for $15/month or $139/year, and then immediately redeem this Kindle Unlimited offer. If you're a student or 18-24 years old, you can get half-off those prices, dropping the monthly cost to $7.49 and the annual membership to $69. And if you're new to Prime, you won't have to pay for your first month--or six months, if you are eligible for the Prime Young Adult membership.
Prime members also get a bunch of other benefits, including free Prime shipping, access to Prime Video and Prime Music streaming libraries, monthly downloadable PC games, exclusive discounts, and more.
If you love books, make sure you also check out Amazon's Audible deal before it expires. Prime members can get Audible Premium Plus for free for three months ($45 value). The Audible offer is arguably even more noteworthy, as the Premium Plus tier includes one free book of your choosing each month. Even if you decide to cancel before the three-month trial ends, you can keep books purchased with Audible credits. This essentially means Amazon Prime members can get three free audiobooks from a vast catalog that includes new releases and preorders.
Speaking of freebies, Prime Gaming is giving away a handful of free PC games ahead of Prime Day 2025.
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The new Palworld: Tides of Terraria update adds plenty of content themed around Terraria, including the game's final boss, the Moon Lord, who has become Palworld's latest raid boss. Here we guide you through how to find this boss fight and defeat the Moon Lord in Palworld.
How to prepare for the Terraria Moon Lord in Palworld
The Moon Lord works similarly to other raid bosses in Palworld. If you're new to raiding, you'll want to make sure you craft a Summoning Altar at one of your bases, because this is where you fight all of the game's raid bosses.
Summoning Altar build The Summoning Altar is available to unlock at technology level 32 in the Ancient Technology category. To build, you'll need the following materials:
- 100 Stone
- 20 Palidum Fragments
I recommend making a separate base for raids. You can have three bases active at a time, and I always dedicate one to just raids, as the bosses can do quite a bit of structural damage. This is either a base that doesn't have any important builds or one where you at least have plenty of room to fortify the area around Summoning Altar with walls. This helps to minimize the damage your base structures take while fighting bosses. If you have any working Pals at this base, you'll want to place them in the Palbox so they won't be targeted by Moon Lord's attacks.
You'll also need a Celestial Sigil to summon the Moon Lord to you Summoning Altar.
How to get a Celestial Sigil
Fight the Eye of Cthulhu to earn a Celestial Sigil schematic Celestial Sigil schematic
You can get a Celestial Sigil schematic from dungeon chests rewards for defeating the new Eye of Cthulhu boss in the new secret Terraria-inspired dungeon. Once you have the schematic, take it to a production assembly line inside your base and have your Pals craft a Celestial Sigil for the cost of 100 Hallowed bars.
Hallowed bars
Hallowed bars are also found inside dungeon chests in the new Terraria location. You should have more than enough bars to make one or two sigils after you've cleared the dungeon once.
You will also need to craft a new Celestial Sigil each time you want to fight Moon Lord. These are one-time use items.
Fighting Moon Lord in Palworld
Moon Lord boss fight Moon Lord is a level 50 raid boss with over 400,000 health. You need to use ranged attacks, and the rocket launcher and guided missile launcher work great for this fight. Craft a bunch of ammo, make sure to have some healing potions equipped, and try to fight him with friends if possible.
You don't want to attempt this at a low level. I'd recommend waiting until level 55 or higher, or teaming up with high-level friends. For reference, I was level 52 with the best armor I could craft, and Moon Lord still owned me on my first attempt.
He has three weak points you need to target: the eyeball in each hand and the eye in the center of his forehead.
Palworld Moon Lord boss fight rewards
Defeating Moon Lord rewards random Items, such as Ancient Civilization Cores, Ancient Civilization Parts, pendants, skill fruit, legendary weapons or armor.
Unlike other bosses, you can't catch the Moon Lord boss, and you don't get an egg to hatch. It's uncertain if this is a bug or if the Moon Lord is unobtainable because he's a special Terraria-themed boss.
For more guides, make sure to check out how to fish in Palworld, change a Pal's gender and passive skills, move Pals to different worlds, and how to upgrade your schematics.
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Just days after barreling through the 1m sales barrier, Peak - the daft co-op climbing game from developer Landcrab - has reached another impressive milestone. It's now sold over 2m copies, and Landcrab is celebrating the occasion by talking a little about its plans for future updates.
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The new Palworld: Tides of Terraria update is live with tons of new features, and there is also a secret location you can discover on the map to teleport you to a new Terraria-themed dungeon. Here we guide you to the hidden location, where you can capture all-new Pals themed around Terraria and fight the Eye of Cthulhu boss. The dungeon rewards also have a chance to reward you with the Terra Blade sword schematic, Celestial Sigil schematic, Hallowed armor, and more.
How to find the secret Terraria Dungeon in Palworld
Fisherman's Point As shown in the image above, the closest fast travel point will be at the Fisherman's Point, which is a location just south of the volcano. Traveling southeast from Fisherman's Point will allow you to uncover a new island on your map with a fast travel point called the Sealed Realm of Terraria.
This location is technically two islands. The larger portion is a great place to explore and capture two of the update's new Pals: Palumba and Finsider.
Terraria dungeon entrance The smaller of the two islands has a large statue and a new dungeon point (glowing blue ring) you can use to teleport you to the secret Terraria location.
Pals and treasure inside
Here you can catch several new Pals:
- Herbil
- Green Slime
- Blue Slime
- Purple Slime
- Red Slime
- Cave Bat
- Demon Eye
- Enchanted Sword
Chests in the dungeon have a chance to reward new Hallowed bars and Hallowed armor inspired by Terraria.
Additionally, there are also random chests you want to search for extra loot and Hallowed bars. The entire dungeon is filled with decor that looks like honey pots. You also want to take the time to break these. Each pot usually has two to three Hallowed bars. You'll want to collect as many as you can if you want to fight Palword's new Terraria-themed raid boss.
Eye of Cthulhu boss
Breakable wall inside dungeon cave Continue through the dungeon until you reach a dead end with lots of colorful glowing crystals on the walls. As shown in the image above, this area will have sections of wall that are a gold color and look different from the rest of the wall. These are walls you can shoot and melee through to access other areas of the dungeon. This is how you'll reach the Eye of Cthulhu boss at the end. Just keep checking all the pathways here. All of these unlocked passages will be a dead end except one that leads to the Eye of Cthulhu.
Eye of Cthulhu boss This is a level 45 boss fight, so make sure you're leveled up with your best Pals equipped before tackling this fight. If you are a fairly new and low-level player, you'll want to level up a bit first.
Just like other dungeon bosses, you can capture the Eye of Cthulhu as a Pal.
Terraria dungeon rewards
Defeating the Eye of Cthulhu dungeon boss will reward you with chests, which have the chance to give you more Hallowed bars, armor, a schematic to craft the new Terra Blade sword, and more.
For more guides, make sure to check out how to fish in Palworld, change a Pal's gender and passive skills, move Pals to different worlds, and how to upgrade your schematics.
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Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has put players in some pretty tight spots before, but those may pale in comparison to the new PvE game mode that was added with today's free update. Siege Mode places three players in the fight of their lives against endless waves of Tyranid and Thousand Sons while they attempt to hold an imperial fortress as long as possible.
A final victory may not be possible in Siege Mode, but players do have some tools to withstand the onslaught. Players earn points after defeating each wave of enemies, and they can use those to purchase Medicae Stimms, more ammunition and equipment, as well as the ability to call upon reinforcements from Cadian regiments and the Dreadnought.
After successfully defending an area of the fortress for five rounds, players will be moved to a different part of the complex before the cycle repeats itself. Players do have the option of retreating via extraction while earning Requisition Points, Armory Data, and XP. But if players choose to stay to the bitter end, there's usually only one way that's going to go.
Season pass owners, as well as players who have either the Ultra Edition or Gold Edition, are also getting new DLC today. The White Scars Chapter Pack adds a new champion skin for the Assault class, in addition to weapons skins that were inspired by White Scars and new cosmetic options. The Blood Angels Cosmetic Pack adds three new armor pieces that can be used by any of the game's playable classes. That pack also features "a suite of heraldry symbols and rank markings celebrating eight of the Blood Angels’ Successor Chapters."
Sega recently released Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Master Crafted Edition, but it's skipping PS5 for now and only rolling out for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. Last month, developer Saber Interactive released modder-friendly tools for Space Marine 2 on PC. Thanks to the success of Space Marine 2, Space Marine 3 has been confirmed to be in development. But a release date is currently unknown.
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Walmart has the new Pokemon-themed Hershey's Kisses in stock for $5.48 per Share Pack (10 ounces). These special-edition Hershey's Kisses have limited availability and are currently sold out on Hershey's website. Walmart's inventory for the collab varies by region, so you might not be able to buy a bag unless a store near you has them in stock.
Hershey's announced its sweet collaboration with Pokemon earlier this month. The collection is themed around the original Pokemon from Gen 1's Kanto region. That means there are 151 unique wrapper designs featuring icons such as Pikachu, Charmander, Eevee, Snorlax, Mewtwo, and more.
Pokemon x Hershey's (Credit: The Hershey's Company) Hershey's says a 34-ounce party bag will be available as well, but we've only seen the smaller 10-ounce bag in stock so far.
To make the hunt more exciting, Pokemon fans can sign up for a Hersheyland account for the chance to win a limited-edition collector's case to display their foil finds in. You can also track your progress collecting 'em all on the site.
2025 is turning out to be a big year for Pokemon, as the next big game in the series will launch in October for Switch 2 and Switch systems. Pokemon Legends: Z-A will see players return to Lumiose City--the grand Parisian-styled metropolis from Pokemon X and Y--in the Kalos region, for a brand-new adventure.
Meanwhile, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet recently received a significant performance upgrade for Switch 2.
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MindsEye launched earlier this month but didn't come out of the gate in a great state, with players encountering a range of problems, bugs, and other issues. Actor Alex Hernandez, who plays main character Jake Diaz, has now commented on the game's buggy release, offering up his take on what might have happened.
Speaking to Check It TV, Hernandez he believes developer Build a Rocket Boy decided to launch MindsEye with issues with a plan to fix them after launch.
"It's not a lack of QA. I met the QA testers and they seemed competent at their job. But for whatever reason, the company decided to release something that has these issues and then taking care of it post-release... obviously we were not the first game to do that," he said.
Hernandez said Cyberpunk 2077 is an example of another game that launched in a rough state and was then improved over time with updates.
Hernandez went on to say that he "doesn't love" the model of a developer selling a game for full price with issues at launch and then fixing it over time.
"I don't love that model," he said. "I'm not a business person. I have no idea why that decision gets made. I will just say that from a consumer perspective, and I am sure a lot of people feel this way, I think it does more long-term harm than good to your reputation to release something that feels like it is in a state of less-than 100%, and then charge 100% of the price."
Additionally, Hernandez said he would rather see developers embrace an early-access model where the developer is up-front with players about issues so that fans know what they are signing up for.
Just ahead of the release of MindsEye, a pair of senior executives left the developer, while Build a Rocket Boy is said to be cutting staff following the game's release. The game was published by Hitman studio IO Interactive.
Build a Rocket Boy is headed up by Leslie Benzies, the former Rockstar Games veteran. GameSpot's MindsEye review scored the game a 3/10. "Impressive visuals can't compensate for a lack of substance, whether that comes from its pointless world, tedious combat, or any number of other egregious shortcomings. If you're looking for quality, cast your mind's eye elsewhere," reviewer Richard Wakeling said.
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Summary
- The new Druid class comes to Diablo Immortal on July 3.
- With changes in every iteration, the Druid always brings a blend of feral instincts, nature-based magic, and stoic survivalism.
- Take a deeper look at the Druid class throughout the ages of Diablo and see how it has evolved.
Picture this: you’re standing in the heart of a storm, lightning crackling in the sky, the ground trembling as if the earth itself feels your rage. Around you, wolves snarl and bears roar, ready to strike at your command. This is the primal power of the Druid, first introduced in Diablo II, making a triumphant return in Diablo IV, and soon to have their debut in Diablo Immortal on July 3.
Druidsrepresent a fascinating blend of feral instincts, nature-based magic, and stoic survivalism. Let’s dive into the evolution of this iconic playable class.
Origins of the Druid
In Diablo lore, the Druids are a reserved and reflective people, deeply connected to nature and its primal forces. Though they share a historical link with the Barbarians, Druids follow their own path. Where Barbarians celebrate raw, unshackled might, Druids harness nature’s power with precision and balance. Picture them as the calm before the storm—until they morph into a bear and decimate their foes, that is.
The Druid design pulls heavily from European (Celtic and German) myths and folklore, particularly the idea of shamans and natural spellcasters who draw power from the earth. However, the Diablo universe evolves these archetypes into something uniquely suited to its grim world, drawing a look and feel from the raw, primal essence of Sanctuary’s harsh wilderness, blending ferocity and mysticism in equal measure.
The Druid’s Skill Set
The Druid class skill kit offers a mix of nature-based elemental magic, shapeshifting abilities, and summoning loyal animal companions to aid in battle. Here’s what makes them a force to be reckoned with:
Elemental Magic
Druids wield the raw power of nature through earth-shattering spells, crackling lightning attacks, and poison damage. These abilities represent the destructive beauty of natural forces.
Summoning Companions
Choose from loyal wolves, towering bears, or ravenous vines, depending on the playstyle you favor. Your summons not only fight at your side but can be pivotal for drawing aggro or dealing critical damage.
Shapeshifting
Need even more power? Transform into a hulking Werebear for devastating melee attacks or a nimble Werewolf for swift strikes. This dynamic shapeshifting adds a visceral touch and lets you unleash your unique adventuring style.
The Druid’s Evolution
The Druid class has come a long way since its Diablo II debut. Each iteration refines the fantasy, addressing gameplay mechanics while holding onto the Druid’s core identity.
Diablo II (2000)
The Druid made an unforgettable debut, combining shapeshifting abilities with elemental magic to create a class deeply attuned to the forces of nature. Players could transform into a ferocious werewolf or a sturdy werebear, each offering unique tactical advantages that catered to different playstyles.
Elemental abilities provided additional versatility, allowing Druids to unleash the devastating power of storms and flames. Armed with primal weapons like axes, clubs, and special polearms, the Druid’s combat style resonated with its connection to the natural world.
Narratively, the Druid stood apart from other classes, with their isolation adding an air of mystique to enhance their lore.
Diablo IV (2023)
The Druid emerges as a class rich with dynamic possibilities. Earth and storm spells now deliver visually striking abilities, including summoning earthquakes to disrupt foes or unleashing lightning storms for devastating long-range attacks. Players can seamlessly transition between human, werewolf, and werebear forms during combat, and for further customization, specific items enable them to adopt their preferred form as a default, opening hybrid strategies like a resilient, earth-powered werebear or an agile, storm-infused werewolf.
Adding to the versatility, Totems return as specialized off-hand items, enriching the Druid’s arsenal with tailored bonuses that complement their iconic staves, axes, and clubs. These tools allow for builds that ensure a personalized experience. The Druid’s lore gains depth in their role as guardians of the wild and their command over nature’s elements.
Diablo Immortal (2022):
The Druid’s entry as the 9th playable class channels an untamed, primal energy, embracing a neolithic essence that stands apart even from the Scosglen Druids of Diablo IV. This version is wild and reckless, wielding the raw forces of nature with ferocity rather than control. Characterized as a hermit with a quirky and enigmatic personality, the Sharval Druid thrives in isolation, adding an unpredictable melee/summoner hybrid charm to the battlefield.
With Wild Magic at their command, their focused skillset and adaptability make them a versatile and fearsome force, while their eccentric, hermitic persona brings an air of mystique to the fast-paced mobile world of Diablo Immortal. Whether shaping the battlefield with elemental fury or summoning swarms of loyal creatures, this Druid iteration offers a uniquely feral experience.
Join the Pack
Balancing nostalgia with innovation, the Druid has maintained its identity while adapting its skills to fit the evolving mechanics of the Diablo universe.
The Druid’s fantasy is timeless. Whether you’re commanding the forces of nature, shapeshifting into feral beasts, or summoning animal allies, the class provides an immersive and customizable experience. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of smashing your enemies as a Werebear, followed by unleashing a storm of ravens to clear the battlefield. It’s gameplay that walks the line between serenity and ferocity.
What’s your favorite Druid moment in Diablo? Share your stories on our forums or on social media via X and Instagram and join the Diablo community to stay updated on the latest news.
The post From Fur to Fury: The Legacy of Diablo’s Druid Class appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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In 2022, Epic Games agreed to a massive $520 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that Fortnite violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting info about players under the age of 13 without their parents' permission, as well as allegations that Epic "tricked" players into making unintended in-game purchases. The signup period for the initial distribution of funds ended in February 2024. But now, the FTC is once again opening the opportunity for players to claim their piece of the Fortnite settlement.
If players already claimed and received a payment from the FTC during the previous dispersal round, then they won't be eligible for any further claims. Everyone else has until July 9, 2025 to to file their claim with the FTC at the agency's official site.
FTC sends $126 million in refunds to Fortnite players who were charged for unwanted items, reopens claims process. Players who have not already filed a claim will now have until July 9 to submit one: https://t.co/aISo5Nfa8Z
— FTC (@FTC) June 25, 2025FTC payments will be sent to players either through PayPal or as a check. However, this refund is limited to US citizens. Players under 18 will need their parent or guardian to fill out the paperwork, but anyone older doesn't need any special permission to fill out the form. Domestic players can qualify for the refund if any of the following descriptions applies to them.
- You were charged in-game currency for items you didn’t want between January 2017 and September 2022
- Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018
- Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges
Outside of this settlement, Epic Games has done quite well for itself in legal conflicts. Last month, Fortnite finally returned to the App Store following a five-year legal battle with Apple. In this week alone, Epic announced a very big judgment against a player who sold illegal Fortnite software. Earlier this month, Fortnite launched a separate lawsuit against a cheat maker and several associates. In other Fortnite news, it appears that Fortnite Blitz Royale will be remaining through the winter, at least. There's even a Fortnite x Squid Game collaboration launching on June 27.
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<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/26/6913fa6a/Dying_Light_Retouched_Update_Key_Visual.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Dying Light: Retouched key art" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dying_light/b/xboxone/archive/2015/02/02/dying-light-game-informer-review.aspx">Dying Light</a>, developer Techland has rolled out a free graphical update to the 2015 title dubbed Dying Light: Retouched. While not billed as a full remaster or a total presentational overhaul, the city of Harran looks better than ever. </p><p>The Retouched update introduces upscaled textures, ultra 8K shadow quality level, and improved physics rendering on water and metallic surfaces. The game’s Level of Detail (LOD) has also been raised, meaning Techland increased the distance that detailed assets are loaded in the game. As Techland notes in its <a href="https://pilgrimoutpost.techlandgg.com/news/ten-years-later-still-going-strong-dying-light-retouched-update-releasing-june-26">developer blog</a>, Retouched is all about “squeezing out even more from the Dying Light you already love," although the level of improvements players will experience varies by platform. You can check out some before/after shots in the gallery below.</p><p class="inline-rich-content-placeholder"> </p><p>The soundtrack, however, has been remastered by original composer Pawel Błaszczak. The audio also features new tracks and ambient sounds along with improved hit reaction audio.</p><p>Today looks to be a good one to revisit Dying Light ahead of the launch of the latest entry, Dying Light: The Beast, which arrives on August 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. You can catch a recent trailer from Summer Game Fest earlier this month <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/sgf-2025/2025/06/06/dying-light-the-beast-launches-in-august-and-gets-a-new-trailer">here</a>. </p> <section class='type:slideshow'><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/af7d0ecf/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_4.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/3a806107/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_1.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/00f20e63/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_5.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/18575f08/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_3.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/cd6d2eda/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_2.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/334b1d30/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_7.jpg'></figure><figure><img src='https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/entity_browser_thumbnail/public/2025/06/26/2bd75fb9/dying_light_retouched_update_-_screenshot_comparison_6.jpg'></figure></section>
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Summary
- Greedland charges onto Xbox Series X|S on July 10, 2025.
- Pre-order today with a 20% discount.
- Survive endless waves of over 20,000 mutants alone or via local co-op.
Hey survivors! I’m VaMP He, the solo dev behind Greedland. After four years of blood, sweat, and code, I’m stoked to announce: pre-orders open on Xbox Series X|S with 20% launch discount today! Mark July 10 in your calendars — time to unleash chaos at reduced firepower cost.
Why Join the Fight?
Experience the violent beauty of blood and fire in its purest form. I wanted a game where you don’t just survive—you dominate. 20,000 kills per run? That’s the baseline.
The Greedland Vision: Four Years in the Making
As a one-man studio, I’ve poured my soul into making Greedland the ultimate roguelike-survivor hybrid. Imagine:
- Progressive Arsenal Unlock: Start with basic firearms, then unlock heavy weapons like plasma discs and orbital cannons as you decimate thousands of mutants.
- Over 20,000 Kills Per Run: Survive relentless waves where alien mutants spawn in all directions – culminating in Endless Mode for ultimate challenges.
- Shared-Screen Survival: Partner locally to strategize against overwhelming odds – the only way to survive the mutant tidal waves.
Core Combat Experience
Endless Mutant WavesFace rapidly spawning alien hordes flooding your screen. Prove your skill in endless mode against massive waves of enemies.
Evolving ArsenalStart basic, unlock devastation tools like the Plasma Disc and Orbital Cannon. Become a true “mobile arsenal of destruction”!
Chaos MultipliedEmbrace local co-op madness – double the firepower, triple the explosions.
The Greedland Promise
This isn’t just another roguelike. It’s about:
• Carving paths through thousands of mutants with heavy weaponry.
• Adapting tactics against ever-growing alien tides.
• That “one more run” addiction at 2 AM.
Pre-Order Now, Reap the Rewards
This isn’t just another survivor clone. It’s hundreds of weapon combos, physics-enhanced explosions, and the satisfaction of seeing your screen drown in enemy corpses. Ready to command the ultimate arsenal of destruction?
Pre-order today at 20% off. See you on the burning battlefields this July 10!
– VaMP He
Greedland
E-Home Entertainment Development Company Ltd.
$12.99 $10.39In this game, you'll face an unimaginable number of alien mutants that appear rapidly from all around your field of vision. You'll destroy more than 20,000 enemies per game and the endless mode for hardcore gamers who want to challenge themselves. You will use a handy weapon to carve a path of survival on the battlefield. But as the battle progresses you'll unlock more battlefield weaponry like the plasma disc, orbital cannon, and devastator. Equipped with these devastating heavy weapons, you'll be transformed into a mobile arsenal on the battlefield! The game offers dozens of different styles of weapons and battlefield support props, you will have more than hundreds of free matching options, so please give full play to your imagination and enjoy the fun of harvesting the battle! Another highlight of this game is that each weapon has its own special firing effect.The air waves from explosions and the dead ray from laser weapons give you varying degrees of satisfaction. Local cooperative mode is available. Embrace the chaos of true online and local cooperative.The post Greedland Charges onto Xbox: Preorder Your Ultimate Alien-Slaying Arsenal Now appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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Summary
- Introducing FragPunk Season 2: Rising Tempest, a transformative update surging into the free-to-play 5v5 hero shooter today.
- Season 2 includes a new Lancer, Hurricane, new maps, new Shard Cards, game mode and gameplay updates, and more.
- Stay tuned for this summer’s FragPunk Music Festival!
Season 2 of FragPunk, Rising Tempest, is available now – and it’s going to transform how you play. A brand new Lancer, Hurricane, will join the Lancer team alongside two new maps, Itzamna and Xibalba, which will provide players with unique gameplay experiences and tactical depth.
FragPunk’s Shard Card system remains a core feature, and the design of the Season 2 cards will not only introduce new and interesting options for you to play with, but will also further optimize the card update mechanism. The card pool will now be updated every two weeks, increasing the probability of new cards appearing.
Furthermore, in terms of gameplay, the rotating arcade mode will be updated to a selectable arcade mode – freely queue for any mode without rotation restrictions! And as if that wasn’t enough we’ll also see the grand opening of the FragPunk Music Festival this summer! Find out more by reading on.
New Lancer: Meet Hurricane
In Season 2, get ready to welcome a brand-new lancer – Hurricane. Hailing from the Arctic Fragment, he loves adventure. After saving an Arctic bear research team in distress during a storm, using equipment he crafted with his own hands, he became a Lancer to save more people.
With a robust physique, his first skill is a Tornado used to split the battlefield, while his second skill, Lightning Orb, explodes upon collision, blinding enemies. His third skill allows Hurricane to enhance himself with electric charge, granting him extra speed and increasing the damage taken by nearby enemies. Just imagine the sheer intimidation of a massive Arctic bear charging out of the smoke.
Hurricane’s Tornado skill His powerful rushing ability also pairs perfectly with other Lancers, such as performing a rapid dual advance with Corona, or executing a smoke-and-flash rush with Axon.
More Cards, More Fun
In Season 2, FragPunk brings even more fun and exciting cards, coming to both Shard Clash and Outbreak Mode. We also now we have themed card pools: Shard Clash and Outbreak will both see the debut of groups of cards with mode-specific abilities.
Let’s look at some of your new options. The Kindred Spirits card makes allies and enemies of the same color unable to attack one another! No melee combat – but hey, you can still slap a same-color enemy if you want!
Kindred Spirits Love showing off your sharpshooting skills under the spotlight but tired of waiting for a final-round tiebreaker? Rigged Duels will help your dream come true. Challenge an enemy to a 1v1 with your teammates cheering you on—victory is guaranteed!
Rigged Duels And the heavyweight champion of rule-breaking: Converter Thievery! Are you on defense, gotten stuck with a dropped bomb and been forced to guard it? Why not just pick it up, plant it yourself, and then defuse it? Completely shatter the bomb-defusal meta!
Meanwhile, our new cards will updated every 2 weeks with temporary drop-rate increases, meaning the pool will always be changing.
Choose Your Favorite Modes
The Arcade Modes in FragPunk offer a rich variety of options, but every player has their personal favorites. To give everyone more freedom in their gameplay experience, the existing rotation system will be replaced with free access to all modes.
Additionally, Chaos Duel Mode will now be permanently available, alongside the return of Mirror Duel Mode, further enriching the Arcade Mode lineup. With so many gameplay options to choose from, there’s something for everyone! In the near future, even more fun and exciting casual modes will be added – we hope every player can find their own comfort zone!
Mayan & Greek Mythology Maps: Itzamna & Xibalba
Itzamna is a map inspired by the Mayan civilization – but unlike the typical Mayan aesthetic, this one is set in a skyport, a brand new Shard Clash arena. The map features interactive ziplines, allowing Lancers to adopt different strategies and expand their tactical options. Get creative! But watch your step—it’s a long way down…
Itzamna Meanwhile, Xibalba is a fresh addition to the Outbreak map pool. Compared to previous Outbreak maps, it offers higher connectivity, encouraging players to experience not just classic holdout battles but also thrilling chases and escapes. And stay tuned – more Outbreak maps are coming soon!
Xibalba FragPunk Music Festival
What does summer mean? Parties and celebrations! The world of FragPunk is about to host a grand music festival – this is just a tease, we’ll tell you more soon.
FragPunk is available now for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, with Season 2 launching tomorrow, June 26. Stay in the know by joining our Discord, or following us on X, YouTube, and Instagram.
FragPunk
Bad Guitar Studio
Bend the rules with Shard Cards! No two rounds of FragPunk are ever the same. Discover over 100 Shard Cards with an activatable selection that changes every round creating new and unique combinations that create infinite possibilities! Cards can amplify your jump height, reverse the roles of attackers and defenders, engulf your bullets in flame or turn them into chain lightning, and even may resurrect you and your team! Frantic 5v5 Hero Shooter! Each round lasts about 2.5 minutes, so get a move on! The short TTK means you have to aim well and react fast to win the fight. Pick between 12 heroes with diverse abilities, customize your weapon combination, choose your cards and get ready for a fight! Variety that fuels replayability Pick your favorite hero from a selection of 12, each with their own unique abilities. Find your favorite guns among the 17 available, some which have special abilities, like shooting faster over time, bursts and more! Discover new hero, weapon and card combinations and develop your personal combat style! Immersive Maps & Vibrant Visuals! Prepare for rich map designs and mixed visual effects including collages, graffiti and a blend of realistic and stylized textures. Feast your eyes on bold colors, sharp shapes and dynamic lines to provide you with diverse visual experiences while the bullets fly.The post FragPunk Season 2 Brings Transformative Updates, Including a New Lancer appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate now nearly four years removed from its final update, the Smash community has had to be creative in getting their fill of new Smash Bros. experiences. One savvy modding team has created Smash Remix--a gigantic content mod for the original Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64--and a new trailer has revealed many new features now available in Smash Remix's 2.0 patch.
The 15-minute trailer highlights two brand-new additions to the Smash Remix roster, as Princess Peach and Crash Bandicoot have joined the fray. A few other faces, like Slippy Toad, Dr. Luigi, and Lanky Kong, have been added to a designated "bonus" slot on the character select screen as well.
New arenas are also coming with the 2.0 update, including the Crash Bandicoot-themed Time Twister, as well as Discovery Falls--themed after one of the levels from Dinosaur Planet, the Rare project that eventually became Star Fox Adventures. The patch also brings new items, new game modes like King Of The Hill and Tag Team, the voice acting of original SSB announcer Jeff Manning, and more.
Smash Remix first appeared on the mod scene in May 2019 as version 0.5, with version 1.0 officially launching in September 2021. The mod has seen multiple updates between the 1.0 and 2.0 patches, including 1.1.0 in February 2022 which added Sonic, 1.4.0 in June 2023 which added Goemon, and 1.5.0 in January 2024 which brought Banjo and Kazooie to the game.
Smash Remix 2.0 is available to download now for free on the mod team's official website. Patch notes for the 2.0 update can be found on the website as well, with highlights seen below.
Smash Remix 2.0 Patch Notes
- Characters
- Crash added
- Peach added
- Roy added to "bonus" slot
- Dr. Luigi added to "bonus" slot
- Lanky added to "bonus" slot
- Polygon Crash added
- Polygon Peach added
- Stages
- Discovery Falls & Discovery Falls Remix added
- Time Twister added; N. Sanity Beach, Snow Go, and Future Frenzy added as Remix variants
- Dream Land Beta 1 DL added as DL variant of Dream Land Beta 1
- LMAO Castle added as Remix variant of Peach's Castle
- N64 Remix added as a Remix variant of N64
- Pigmask Fortress replaces Osohe Castle
- Raid Blue replaces Corneria City
- Bowser’s Keep reworked
- Dr. Mario reworked
- Corneria moved to Remix variant of Sector Z
- World 1-1 moved to Remix variant of Mushroom Kingdom
- Modes
- Remix Modes menu added to VS Mode
- 12 Character Battle migrated here
- Tag Team added
- King of the Hill added
- Smashketball added
- Remix Modes menu added to VS Mode
- Characters
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Don't Nod - the developer behind Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Jusant, and the recently-announced Aphelion - is laying off staff from its Montreal office. The number of impacted staff is undisclosed.
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Developer Sloclap's new soccer game, Rematch, is putting up big numbers and people are enjoying it quite a lot. The game isn't working totally as intended, however, as players have discovered that they can move faster if they jump instead of run. That's not how it's supposed to work, so Sloclap is fixing it.
"We're aware this is an issue and an unpopular unintended tech. We're planning to push a fix very soon, before this weekend," the studio said in a post on Reddit. "Thank you for your patience!"
As you can see in the video above, jumping appears to give players an edge over those who run. In a competitive-type game like Rematch, players are looking for any edge they can get, and anyone taking advantage of this will only be able to do so for a short while longer.
Rematch launched on June 19 and quickly amassed more than 3 million players. It hasn't necessarily sold that many copies, however, as Rematch is also available on Xbox Game Pass.
The stylized third-person game is also available to buy outright for $30 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game launched without crossplay support but that's coming later. The game takes place decades in the future and there are no fouls, offsides, penalty kicks, ties, or shootouts.
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Dune: Awakening's big endgame changes are now live, transforming half of the game's formerly player vs. player heavy-Deep Desert region into a player vs. environment-friendly space.
The change came quicker than fans perhaps expected. News that developer Funcom would be making a big shift to the survival MMO's endgame came just a few days ago in a blog post from the game's creative director, Joel Bylos, who said Funcom's goal was not to "force PvE players to interact with a PvP system that they may have no interest in." That news was followed by a public test client build for the game's 1.1.10.0 patch that listed the Deep Desert changes (among many others).
However, a hotfix released today makes it so the southern half of the Deep Desert is now open for PvE business, though there are still pockets of PvP to be found. Shipwrecks and control points found within the southern half of the region will still be PvP zones. Funcom notes that it rebalanced the distribution of Dune: Awakenings coveted endgame resources around this change, making it so that "loot overall is more valuable and plentiful in the northmost PvP zones." PvE players will still be able to find the highest tier of resources in the southern regions of the zone, just not as much of it.
"We will continue monitoring how this plays out and continue iterating when and if needed," Funcom states in the patch notes.
The hotfix also brings previously announced changes to Ornithopters, currently a menace in PvP despite having already been nerfed to no longer cause damage when ramming into other players on the ground. Using a rocket launcher module for the Scout Orni now decreases its top speed by 20% (or 10% for those using the more unpopular Assault Ornithopter). Funcom states it has more changes planned around Ornithopters and PvP.
In one other major change as part of the hotfix, players can now visit other Sietches and claim land. Dune: Awakening's servers are broken down into Worlds, which are made up of multiple smaller servers called Sietches. While players can now claim land in other Sietches, the number of bases a player can have is still locked to three. The hotfix also introduces a player reporting feature, allowing players to report text chat or messages from other players.
You can read the full Dune: Awakening update 1.1.0.17 patch notes below. Funcom recently announced Dune: Awakening is already its fastest-selling game to date, having sold more than 1 million copies since its launch in early June.
Dune: Awakening Update 1.1.0.17 Patch Notes
FEATURES AND CHANGES
Deep Desert:
As outlined in A message from the Creative Director on PvE and PVP » Dune: Awakening, this hotfix will see the first iteration of the changes to the balance between PvE and PvP in the Deep Desert. Rest assured that we will continue to listen to your feedback and make adjustments in the future.
- The PvE area has been adjusted to encompass the entire southern half of the Deep Desert map.
- This means that players who have no interest in PvP should be able to find what they want without engaging in PvP. Imperial Testing Stations, caves, and so forth found in this area are thus now PvE.
- Control Points and Shipwrecks will, however, continue to be PvP throughout the entire map, which means you will find localized pockets of PvP within the PvE section still. Similar to how Shipwrecks are PvP in Hagga Basin.
- To retain the Risk vs Reward setup for the Deep Desert:
- The density of resources increases the further north you go. This includes high-density clusters of valuable resources.
- The largest spice fields will also spawn in the north.
- The majority of Control Points will exist in the northern part.
- As part of these changes, we have made some balancing adjustments in the Deep Desert:
- The lower half of the Deep Desert now offers PvE loot that is balanced toward shared loot and PvE activities. You may find better loot in the more dangerous PvP area located further north on the map. In the PvE area, for example, each player gets their own loot and can expect to receive one schematic. In the PvP area, loot is distributed on a "first come, first served" basis, with higher quantities of everything. Players can expect to find 2–6 schematics there, which are among the rarest.
- Plasteel plates can only be found in PvP zones. This line was inaccurate, since Plasteel plates can be obtained from crashing ships.
- The amount of active medium spice fields has been reduced from 8 to 5.
- The number of active small spice fields has increased from 20 to 22.
- The spawn rate of Titanium and Stravidium has been reduced in the PvE areas so that large quantities only spawn in the far-out PvP areas.
- The number of nodes in resource hotspots in the PvE part of the map has been reduced.
- The respawn time of Titanium and Stravidium has increased from 30 to 45 minutes.
- Some Imperial Testing Stations are still in the PvP region, and players who want all schematics available each week will want to visit both the PvP and PvE Imperial Testing Stations. Keep in mind the loot in them rotates each week, so even if you're not interested in PvP, you could obtain it at a later date if you're not able to trade for it or buy it off the Exchange.
Vehicles:
- We have begun work on the outlined changes to the Scout Ornithopters.
- Equipping a Rocket Launcher Module will now decrease the top speed of your Ornithopter.
- For Scout Ornithopters, the reduction is 20%.
- For Assault Ornithopters, the reduction is 10%.
- Infocards for the modules now reflect this change.
- Equipping a Rocket Launcher Module will now decrease the top speed of your Ornithopter.
- Exiting ornithopters mid-air will now cause them to drop straight down instead of gliding away. This should decrease the chance that you lose your ornithopter upon disconnecting from the game or exiting by accident your ornithopter mid-air (yes, we have seen the videos).
- Known issue: There is an edge case that if your vehicle ends up in the quicksand you might not be able to interact with it if you are in the quicksand. The workaround is to try to get on top of the vehicle to interact with it. This will be fixed in the very next patch.
Visiting:
- We removed the restrictions when visiting other sietches.
- Before this change, players had their “home” sietches, and could visit other sietches in their world but couldn’t claim land. Now, any player can go to any sietch in their world and claim land wherever they want.
- Players can also place respawn beacons on any sietch in their world.
- As a result of this change, the home icon on the server selection screen, which previously indicated your home server, now indicates on what server you have a base. Similarly, a vehicle icon shows where you have vehicles.
Technical and stability:
- Increased game stability.
- The latest NVIDIA driver was added to the GPU driver check at the game launch.
Other
- We have introduced Player Reporting, allowing players to now report other players' messages from the text chat or report players from the Inspect menu on players.
FIXES
Technical and stability:
- As a continuous effort, we have closed several exploit vulnerabilities.
- Fixed an issue where a specific type of network issue would cause players to be stuck in an infinite loading screen.
- Fixed an issue where some players could experience a client freeze when traveling between Deep Desert servers.
Combat:
- Fixed an issue where players performing a melee attack could get obstructed by corpses lying on the ground.
User Interface:
- Fixed an issue where the guild faction alignment was not localized on the Guild Overview tab.
- Fixed an issue where players could encounter a black screen if they skipped the cinematic at “The Wreck of the Hephaestus”.
- Fixed an issue where several Sandbike research schematics failed to mention the Imperial Testing Stations as the primary source.
Travel:
- Fixed an issue where players could use an ornithopter pilot service to fly from the cities to Hagga Basin if they had arrived in a city with their ornithopter.
Miscellaneous:
- You will no longer lose learned emotes when respec'ing your skill tree.
- The PvE area has been adjusted to encompass the entire southern half of the Deep Desert map.
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Fight week is here and this weekend, everyone can experience the knockout power of UFC 5 with Free Play Days for All! EA Sports UFC 5 is available this weekend for all Xbox members to play from Thursday, June 26 until Sunday, June 29.
How To Start Playing
Find and install the games on each of the individual game details page on Xbox.com. Clicking through will send you to the Microsoft Store, where you must be signed in to see the option to install with your Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core membership. To download on console, click on the Subscriptions tab in the Xbox Store and navigate down to the Free Play Days collection on your Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.
Keep The Fun Going
Purchase the game and other editions at a limited time discount and continue playing while keeping your Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event! Please note that discounts, percentages, and title availability may vary by title and region.
Free Play Days For All
UFC® 5
Electronic Arts
$69.99 $27.99UFC 5
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S
EA Sports UFC 5 is as real as it gets. Powered by Frostbite engine’s advanced rendering capabilities, your favorite fighters now have unparalleled character likenesses to complement next-level environment fidelity that’ll make their walk to the Octagon feel like a PPV main event. The all-new authentic damage system brings the intensity and strategy of a fight to life, as cuts and strikes absorbed can affect mobility, defense, stamina, and more. Take too much damage, and the doctor will check to see if you’re able to continue.
Don’t miss out on these exciting Free Play Days for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Standard and Core members! Learn more about Free Play Days here and stay tuned to Xbox Wire to find out about future Free Play Days and all the latest Xbox gaming news.
The post Free Play Days – Spotlight | UFC 5 appeared first on Xbox Wire.
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<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://www.gameinformer.com/sites/default/files/styles/body_default/public/2025/06/26/6d03f35e/chained_echoes_aoe_1.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant screenshot" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> <p>For old-school JRPG fans, <a href="https://www.gameinformer.com/review/chained-echoes/old-style-new-ideas">Chained Echoes</a> was a pleasant surprise when it launched in December 2022, offering one of the better modernized homages to the 16-bit era. Over two years later, fans can explore a new side of its fantastical world with the upcoming launch of its expansion, Ashes of Elrant.</p><p>Releasing on August 7, Ashes of Elrant unfolds on the new landmass Elrant, and occurs right before the final battle of the base game. The Crimson Wings must answer a call for help, and a new playable character, The White Wolf, will join them. The expansion features new equipment and items, new minigames, plus over 40 new monsters you’ll battle to the tune of 15 new music tracks by composer Eddie Marianukroh.</p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameBorder="0" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o3ky84QJcxw" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay" allowfullscreen="true"> </iframe><p>It’s exciting to see Chain of Echoes get a big expansion like this, years after its initial launch. We scored the game an 8.75 out of 10, with <em>Game Informer</em> editor-in-chief Matt Miller writing in his review, “Whether you currently count yourself a JRPG connoisseur or fondly recall the ʼ90s heyday of the genre, Chained Echoes is well worth your time.” </p><p>Ashes of Elrant will be available for each version of Chained Echoes on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. The price of the DLC has not been disclosed. </p>
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Techland's popular zombie game Dying Light came to Switch in 2021, but the new "Retouched" update that improves the game's visuals and sound is not headed to Switch, nor is the Polish developer working on a port of the game for Switch 2.
In a statement to IGN, Techland said, "The Dying Light: Retouched Update is not coming to Nintendo Switch."
Regarding the possibility of a Switch 2 port of the original Dying Light, Techland said that's not happening either. The game is playable on Switch 2 via backwards compatibility, but Techland is not building a new version of the game for Switch 2.
"When it comes to a Switch 2 port of the original Dying Light, we have no plans at this moment," Techland said, adding that it's focused on releasing Dying Light: The Beast in August for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. "We have no news to share about Nintendo Switch 2 at this time."
Dying Light boss Tymon Smektala told Wccftech recently that Techland would "love" to have The Beast come to Switch 2, but he had "nothing to announce."
Dying Light's sequel, Stay Human, was announced for Switch back in 2021 by way of a "cloud version." Nintendo's website says it was released on April 2, 2022, but it's no longer available.
Dying Light's Retouched update arrives today, June 26, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The update is focused on "squeezing out even more" from the game in terms of visuals, but it's not a remaster.
Endless Mutant Waves
Street Fighter 6 Reveals Sagat Release Date And Some Very Steamy Swimsuits
in Gaming News & Releases Feeds
Posted
Year 3 of Street Fighter 6 is underway, and the next DLC character coming to the roster is Sagat, the boss of the original Street Fighter arcade game. During Capcom Showcase, the publisher announced that Sagat will make his return to the franchise on August 5. And that's not all that's coming.
The Sagat Arrives Fighting Pass will drop on July 4, and it includes Sagat's wanderer avatar gear. Capcom also noted that this update will increase the amount of content in the fighting pass that can be used in Fighting Ground. Ryu and Ken's EX colors were mentioned by name, as well as new art and effects to use for the game's challenger customization feature.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for Street Fighter 6 fans today was the glimpse at the Outfit 4 content, which is basically a lot of thirsty swimsuits for Cammy, Luke, Chun-Li, Manon, Jamie, Kimberly, and A.K.I. Capcom mentioned that other characters will also be getting their swimwear costumes as well.
The remaining DLC characters coming to Street Fighter 6 in year 3 are Crimson Viper, Ingrid, and Alex.
Callina Liang was recently chosen to play Chun-Li in the new Street Fighter movie, joining a cast that includes Jason Momoa, WWE wrestler Roman Reigns, Noah Centineo, Orville Peck, and Andrew Koji. That film doesn't currently have a release date.
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