Category Archives: Games

Featured, Games, Gaming, Xbox

Everything announced at Xbox Developer Direct 2025

On January 23, 2025, Xbox held its much-anticipated Developer Direct, revealing an impressive line-up of games and some splendid surprises. Here’s everything that was announced:

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Release Date: May 15, 2025 (NOT AN XBOX EXLUSIVE)

id Software took the stage to unveil DOOM: The Dark Ages, a prequel set in an intriguing dark fantasy and sci-fi world. Fans of the franchise can look forward to:

  • Combat: Incredible new weapons added to the Slayer’s arsenal to crush hellspawn.
  • Exploration: A dive into medieval-inspired settings, teeming with dark, sinister realms.
  • Story: An epic narrative revolving around the Slayer’s war against hell itself.

South of Midnight

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Compulsion Games showcased South of Midnight, a third-person action-adventure set in the myth-laden landscapes of the American Deep South. The game promises:

  • Folkloric Exploration: Immerse yourself in a world populated by creatures from Southern folklore.
  • Visually Magical World: Stunning graphics and a captivating narrative experience that explores rich, cultural tales.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Release Date: TBA

While no specific release date was mentioned, Sandfall Interactive provided a more in-depth glimpse into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

  • Visual Spectacle: A beautifully crafted fantasy setting.
  • Gripping Story: An engaging narrative that fans of JRPGs will appreciate.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Insights: A look into the creative process and the art behind the game.

Ninja Gaiden 4

Release Date: Fall 2025 (NOT AN XBOX EXCLUSIVE)

A thrilling surprise, Ninja Gaiden 4 was announced as a collaboration between Team Ninja and PlatinumGames. Set in a dystopian Tokyo, the game introduces:

  • New Protagonist: Join Yakumo, a member of the Raven Clan, navigating Tokyo’s neon-lit streets.
  • Classic Action: Fast-paced combat familiar to fans, with deep roots in the Ninja Gaiden legacy.
  • Ryu Hayabusa: The original protagonist will play a pivotal role in the unfolding saga.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Black – Remastered

Available Now

In a delightful twist, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black is now available as a remastered definitive edition.

  • Unreal Engine 5: Enhanced visuals and performance.
  • Immediate Access: Available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass from today.

Xbox Play Anywhere and Game Pass Integration

All titles announced support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to switch between Xbox and Windows devices with seamless progress. Plus, all the games from this event will be available on Xbox Game Pass from Day One, with cloud gaming support.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

Pocketpair Ventures into the gaming publishing arena

Pocketpair, known for its imaginative and engaging games like Palworld and recently Overdungeon as a surprising new Nintendo Switch despite their lawsuit against Palworld allegedly patents violation, is now venturing into the publishing sphere.

The company has announced its formation of a new publishing business aptly titled Pocketpair Publishing.

Pocketpair Publishing aims to provide comprehensive support for indie game developers and small studios. This includes financial assistance, development aid, and much-needed publishing resources. A key aspect of their vision is to maintain a hands-off approach where they respect the creative autonomy and vision of the developers. They aim to support the creation and completion of dream projects without imposing strict conditions.

First Project Collaboration: Surgent Studios

Their first major project involves collaboration with UK-based Surgent Studios. Surgent Studios, known for the horror game Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, is set to release a new horror title. This standalone game, scheduled for 2025, is not a continuation of their previous work but promises to bring fresh narrative experiences to players.

According to Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, the collaborative effort will focus on exploring a unique pattern in the entertainment industry through an unconventional and experimental horror game.

The following is what it has been shared to VGC by Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios.:

Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well-versed in taking risks.

We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. It will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say.

We’re still in earnest conversation about further projects set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, but this will be a standalone piece: a mile marker between where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

Also, the Head of Pocketpair Publishing, John “Bucky” Buckley added:

As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games find themselves struggling to get funded or greenlit. We think this is a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to become incredible games.

We were instantly fascinated by Abubakar’s creative vision for a horror game on a topic he’s uniquely qualified to explore. The ultimate goal of Pocketpair Publishing is to find creators with a genuine passion for games and enable them to create fun, new experiences for gamers all over the world.

Games, Gaming, Mobile, News, Nintendo

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown – An Overview

The Pokémon Company has announced an exciting new expansion for Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown. This expansion, set to be released on January 30, 2025, will feature over 140 cards, including new Pokémon ex and Trainer cards. The expansion is set in the Sinnoh region and focuses on the legendary Pokémon Dialga and Palkia, known for their control over time and space.

The expansion introduces powerful new Pokémon ex cards. Dialga ex, a Steel-type with 150 HP, has abilities such as Metallic Turbo, which deals 30 damage and attaches two Energy cards from your Energy Zone to one of your benched Pokémon3. Palkia ex, a Water-type with the same HP, can deal significant damage with its Dimensional Storm attack, which not only hits for 150 damage but also deals 20 damage to each of your opponent’s benched Pokémon.

New Trainer cards and tools have been added to enhance gameplay. Cynthia’s Full Art card, for example, boosts the performance of Garchomp and Togekiss, allowing them to deal an additional 50 damage to the opponent’s active Pokémon. These additions are sure to offer new strategies and dynamics to the game.

Noteworthy New Pokémon Cards

Here are some of the new Pokémon cards you can expect to find in the expansion:

  • Pachirisu ex (Electric)
  • Leafeon (Grass)
  • Cresselia (Psychic)
  • Gible (Dragon)
  • Honchkrow (Dark)

These Pokémon, along with many others, will provide players with fresh combinations and tactics to explore.

Release Date and Availability

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Space-Time Smackdown will be available starting January 30, 2025. Players can look forward to two booster packs featuring Dialga and Palkia. Pre-release events and promotional activities are expected to build excitement leading up to the launch, making it an eagerly anticipated event for all Pokémon TCG enthusiasts.

The upcoming release of Space-Time Smackdown is set to revolutionize the Pokémon TCG scene with its stunning artwork, new abilities, and strategic depth. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this expansion promises to offer a thrilling experience.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Xbox

Increased External Storage Support for Xbox coming soon

In a significant update for Xbox users, Microsoft has announced that Xbox consoles will soon support external USB drives larger than 16TB. This new feature is currently being tested with Xbox Insiders in the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring and is expected to roll out to all users in the coming weeks.

Key Details of the Update:

  • Expanded Storage Capacity: Newly formatted drives larger than 16TB will be divided into multiple partitions, each appearing as a separate device on your console. This allows users to utilize all available space for games and apps1.
  • Reformatting Required: Drives larger than 16TB that have already been formatted will need to be reformatted to take advantage of the updated support.
  • No Upper Limit Specified: Microsoft has not yet specified an upper limit for storage devices, suggesting that the new partition method may allow for significantly larger storage capacities.
  • Xbox Series X|S Compatibility: While games optimized for Xbox Series X|S consoles still need to be installed on the console’s internal SSD or a matching Seagate or WD_Black Expansion Drive, external drives can be used to store game data and then moved onto the console’s SSD or an NVMe SSD expansion card.

Expand Your Xbox Storage with Support for Larger Drives

We are enabling support for external USB drives larger than 16TB, so you can be sure your favorite games are always ready to play! Newly formatted drives that are larger than 16TB will be formatted with multiple partitions to utilize all available space for games and apps. These will appear as multiple devices in the storage devices list.

Why This Matters:

With game install sizes steadily increasing over the years, this update is a welcome relief for gamers who have extensive libraries and need more storage space. It ensures that your favorite games are always ready to play without worrying about running out of space.

The feature is expected to be gradually released to wider testing groups before becoming available to all Xbox users, probably over the next couple of weeks. This means that soon, you’ll be able to connect even larger external hard drives to your Xbox console, providing virtually unlimited storage power.

Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Astro Bot wins big at the 14th New York Game Awards

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards, hosted by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, celebrated the best games of 2024 with a spectacular ceremony held in Manhattan. Among the night’s biggest winners was Team Asobi’s Astro Bot, which took home the coveted Game of the Year award, along with two additional accolades for Best Kids Game and Best Music.

Released in September 2024, Astro Bot has been a critical and commercial success. The game, which allows players to control Astro as they attempt to save lost Bots and restore the PS5 mothership, has been praised for its charm, environmental design, and innovative use of the DualSense controller. With a player rating of 100 on OpenCritic, Astro Bot has become the most awarded platformer in history, boasting 110 Game of the Year trophies to date.

During the ceremony, Astro Bot’s director, Nicolas Doucet, expressed his overwhelming shock and gratitude for the win. Doucet admitted that he didn’t expect to win the coveted award and remembered very little of his acceptance speech due to his excitement.

The game’s winning streak doesn’t seem to be over just yet, as more accolades keep pouring in.

While Astro Bot led the night with three wins, other games also received recognition. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree won Best World and Best DLC, and Studio Zero’s Metaphor: ReFantazio took home the award for Best Writing in a Game. Indie hit UFO 50 was named Best Indie Game, and Troy Baker received the award for Best Acting in a Game for his portrayal of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

With its incredible success, fans are eagerly awaiting what Team Asobi has in store for Astro Bot. Recent rumors suggest that more DLC may be coming in 2025, including a possible Tekken crossover. Additionally, a new speedrunning level for Astro Bot was featured in the finals of a recent PlayStation Tournaments XP event, though it’s unclear when this will be added to the game.

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards Winners

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year
Astro Bot

Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game
UFO 50

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game
Metaphor: ReFantazio

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
Astro Bot

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game
Troy Baker as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game
Batman: Arkham Shadow

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
Astro Bot

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game
Zenless Zone Zero

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake
Silent Hill 2

Chumley’s Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem
Mouthwashing

NYC GWB Award for Best DLC
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism
Simone De Rochefort & Clayton Ashley

Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient
Sam Lake

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Electronic Arts will officially sunset Origin PC launcher

While it shouldn’t be a surprise for those following up this topic, Electronic Arts has announced the end of its 14-year-old Origin PC Launcher. The decision to sunset Origin comes as a response to the decline in 32-bit software support, with Windows 11 no longer supporting 32-bit applications. This move marks a significant shift for EA, as it transitions users to its newer EA app.

Origin was launched in 2011 as EA’s answer to Valve’s Steam platform. The goal was to create a dedicated storefront and launcher for EA’s games, allowing the company to retain more revenue by bypassing third-party platforms.

However, Origin faced criticism and unpopularity among users due to its lack of features compared to Steam and its controversial decision to pull titles like Crysis 2 from Steam.

Despite these challenges, Origin remained a staple for EA gamers, especially for older titles that were not available on other platforms. Over the years, EA attempted to migrate users to its newer EA app, which launched in 2022 with a more modern interface and improved features.

Transition to the EA App

Starting April 17, 2025, the Origin PC Launcher will cease to function, and users will be directed to install the EA app. EA has assured users that their local and cloud saves, as well as their friend lists, will sync seamlessly between Origin and the EA app.

Additionally, users can merge their Origin friend lists with those on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation.

However, there are some caveats. Mods may not transfer to the EA app, and users will need to check with mod creators to see if their content can be transferred. For those switching to a new device, redownloading games and manually transferring data will be necessary.

To use the EA app, PC users will need a 64-bit version of Windows 11 or Windows 10, while Mac users will need macOS Catalina 10.15.5 or later. This requirement aligns with the broader industry shift away from 32-bit software support1.

The sunsetting of Origin marks the end of an era for EA gamers. While the transition to the EA app may come with its challenges, it also represents a step towards a more unified and modern gaming experience.

As EA continues to evolve its platform, it remains to be seen how the gaming community will respond to these changes.

Games, Gaming, News

Check out what to expect for Palworld Year 2

As Palworld embarks on its second year, Pocketpair has unveiled an ambitious roadmap filled with new features, exciting collaborations, and significant enhancements. The upcoming year promises to be even more thrilling for Palworld players, with a host of updates that aim to enhance gameplay, improve user experience, and introduce fresh content. Here’s a detailed look at what’s in store for Palworld in Year 2.

Co-Op Crossplay: Expanding Horizons

One of the most anticipated features coming to Palworld is co-op crossplay. This functionality allows players to team up with friends across different platforms, breaking down barriers and making it easier than ever to enjoy the game together. Whether you’re playing on PC, console, or mobile, you can now join forces and explore the Palworld universe as a united front.

Also and in response to player feedback, Pocketpair is introducing the ability to transfer Pals between different worlds. This feature provides greater flexibility for managing your creatures, allowing you to move them to different environments and strategies. It’s a game-changer for those looking to optimize their Pals for various challenges and adventures.

Final Boss and Ending Scenario: A Climactic Conclusion

Year 2 will also see the introduction of a final boss and a definitive ending scenario for the game’s storyline. This climactic conclusion offers a sense of closure and accomplishment for players who have been following Palworld’s narrative, providing a rewarding endgame experience that ties together the story’s many threads.

To keep the gameplay experience fresh and exciting, Pocketpair is adding new Pals and technological upgrades. These additions will introduce new creatures to capture and train, along with tech enhancements that offer new strategies and capabilities. Players can look forward to discovering and mastering these new elements as they expand their Pal collection and improve their gameplay tactics.

Game Collaborations: Unique Crossover Content

Pocketpair has announced exciting collaborations with other games, including a notable one with Terraria. These collaborations will bring unique crossover content and experiences, allowing players to enjoy elements from other beloved games within the Palworld universe. It’s an exciting way to blend different gaming worlds and offer something truly special to the community.

The development team is also focusing on improving how objects are placed within the game world. These enhancements will make the environment more interactive and immersive, ensuring that every element feels thoughtfully integrated and adds to the overall player experience.

Performance improvements and user experience enhancements are key areas of focus for Year 2. Pocketpair is committed to optimizing the game’s performance, reducing lag, and ensuring smoother gameplay. Additionally, UX improvements will make the game’s interface more intuitive and user-friendly, enhancing the overall experience for both new and veteran players.

Additional Updates: More to Explore

  • PvP Arena: A dedicated arena for player-versus-player battles, allowing players to test their skills and compete against each other in exciting duels.
  • New Island: An entirely new area to explore, filled with unique challenges, resources, and opportunities.
  • Strengthening and Improving Pals: New ways to enhance your Pals, making them stronger and more capable in various situations.
  • Mobile Port: Krafton’s PUBG Studios is working on a mobile version for Android and iOS, bringing Palworld to a wider audience and making it accessible on the go.

With these exciting updates and additions, Palworld is set to continue its journey as a beloved game in the hearts of its players. Year 2 promises to bring new adventures, improved gameplay, and a wealth of content that will keep the community engaged and entertained. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to dive into the enhanced world of Palworld!

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Genshin Impact Settles FTC Case with $20 Million Fine

he popular open-world action RPG, Genshin Impact, has recently made headlines due to a significant settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The game’s developer, HoYoVerse, formerly known as Cognosphere, agreed to pay a hefty $20 million fine to settle allegations of violating children’s privacy laws and misleading players about the true costs of in-game purchases.

The FTC accused HoYoVerse of using dark-pattern tactics to deceive children, teens, and other players into spending large sums of money on loot boxes, which are virtual mystery boxes that can be purchased with real money or in-game currency. These loot boxes offer a chance to win rare in-game items, but the odds of obtaining these items were not clearly disclosed, leading to confusion and frustration among players3.

The settlement requires HoYoverse to implement several changes to its practices, including:

  • Parental Consent: HoYoVerse must obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13 and restrict in-game purchases for players under 16 without parental consent.
  • Clear Disclosure: The company must provide clear information about the odds of winning specific prizes and the real-world costs of purchasing loot boxes.
  • Data Deletion: HoYoverse is required to delete any personal information previously collected from children under 13 without parental consent.

In response to the settlement, HoYoVerse stated that while it believes many of the FTC’s allegations are inaccurate, it agreed to the settlement to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and trust with its community. The company also announced plans to introduce new age-gate and parental consent protections for children and young teens in the coming months5.

Of course, this settlement has sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of in-game purchases and the responsibility of game developers to protect young players. Many gamers have expressed concerns about the predatory nature of loot boxes and the need for more stringent regulations to prevent similar issues in the future.

The Genshin Impact settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and ethical practices in the gaming industry.

As the FTC continues to crack down on unfair and deceptive practices, it is likely that other game developers will face increased scrutiny and be required to make similar changes to protect their players.

Featured, Games, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

What to expect of Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Season 2

Activision has officially revealed the highly anticipated updates for Season 2 of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, set to launch on January 28, 2025. This season promises to bring a host of new content, gameplay improvements, and significant anti-cheat updates to enhance the overall player experience.

I guess it is fair to say that the long blog post needed to be filtered in a more summarized and understandable list and here goes:

Key Updates for Season 2

  1. Console-Only Crossplay for Ranked Play: Responding to community feedback, Activision will enable the ability to disable cross-play for consoles in Ranked Play modes. This aims to reduce cheating and provide a fairer competitive environment.
  2. New Zombies Content: Season 2 will introduce a brand-new Zombies map, along with new weapons, modes, and other exciting content to refresh the Zombies experience.
  3. Anti-Cheat Enhancements: The Ricochet Anti-Cheat team has been hard at work, implementing new detection models and server updates to combat aim-botting and other cheating behaviors. Over 136,000 Ranked Play account bans have already been issued since the modes launched.
  4. Server Improvements: Activision has addressed server issues, including rubber-banding, packet loss, and server disconnects, especially in Ranked Play and certain regions. New improvements have been made to Call of Duty’s server infrastructure to reduce malicious activities and enhance stability.
  5. Samurai Theme: The leaked key art for Season 2 hints at a Samurai theme, featuring a character holding a tanto (a short Japanese blade) and dressed in traditional Samurai attire. This theme is expected to bring a fresh and immersive experience to the game.
  6. Charity Support: Activision has donated $1 million to LA wildfire relief efforts and released a new cosmetic bundle in the in-game store, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting charities connected to wildfire relief.

Release Details

Season 2 will go live on January 28, 2025, at 10 AM PT, across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Battle.net), and Xbox Series X/S. Players will need to download update files for the Call of Duty app to access the latest content additions and enhancements.

About Ranked Mode in both Black Ops 6 & Warzone

Also, Activision said it was disabling crossplay between consoles and PC in Ranked Mode for both Call Of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone in response to player feedback and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience.


We’ve heard the feedback from players about wanting the choice to toggle cross-play in Ranked Play since its launch earlier this season, and in the spirit of improving the gameplay experience, we’re returning to the way we’ve traditionally handled cross-play. In Season 02, we are enabling the ability to disable cross-play for console players who want to compete only against other console players.

  • This is currently in testing and is planned to go live for both Black Ops 6 Ranked Play and Warzone Ranked Play during S02. We’ll be monitoring closely and will consider further changes to prioritize the integrity of the ecosystem, and we’ll have more details to share as we get closer to the launch of this feature.

The Vote to Forfeit feature is coming at Season 02 launch, which allows players to vote with their team to end a match early if the team is getting blown out, or you’ve lost a teammate. Forfeited matches count as a standard loss and do not result in SR penalties or suspensions.

The ability to rejoin Ranked Play matches is also planned for later in Season 02, which should help to ensure fuller teams in matches if players experience a disconnect.

New S02 Ranked Play Rewards will include:

  • Large Decal for 100 wins
  • Camos for Gold Rank and up
  • Jackal PDW Blueprint for 10 wins