Tag Archives: News

Games, Gaming, News

First Look at The Blood of Dawnwalker with a trailer

Interest on the new studio called Rebel Wolves from Warsaw, Poland went high after last year’s Bandai Namco announcement that they were going to be the publisher for their first game and also, because the studio was founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz who served at CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3 Game Director and head of production/secondary game director for Cyberpunk 2077.

The result is The Blood of Dawnwalker.

“The Blood of Dawnwalker” is an upcoming single-player, open-world dark fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century medieval Europe and follows the story of Coen, a young man turned into a Dawnwalker, who must navigate the line between the world of day and the realm of night.

The game’s first trailer, released on January 13, 2025, showcases the game’s cinematic and gameplay elements. The trailer reveals the dark and brutal world of Vale Sangora, where vampires seize the opportunity to rise from the shadows and claim power. Players will have to use Coen’s vampiric strength and human resolve to save his loved ones and face various foes, including humans, monsters, and the ticking clock.

Rebel Wolves team also includes Bartłomiej Gaweł, who was The Witcher 3’s art director, as well as writer Jakub Szamałek (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Thronebreaker), design director Daniel Sadowski (The Witcher), animation director Tamara Zawada (The Witcher 3), CFO Michał Boryka, studio head Robert Murzynowski and Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz as creative director.

The game will is being made with Unreal Engine 5 and will have a full gameplay reveal at summer (probably at Summer Game Fest 2025) and it is slated to be released on Playstation 5, Xbox Series S & X and PC.

Games, Gaming, News

Mai Shiranui trailer for Street Fighter 6 released

The wait is finally over for fans of the iconic fighting game series as Capcom has released the highly anticipated Mai Shiranui gameplay trailer for Street Fighter 6!

Mai Shiranui, a fan favorite from SNK’s Fatal Fury series, has officially made her way into the Street Fighter universe. Known for her signature whip and lightning-fast kicks, Mai is set to bring her unique fighting style and charm to the game. The newly released trailer showcases her stunning new look and gameplay mechanics, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect when she becomes playable in early 2025.

The trailer reveals Mai’s stage, which is set in Aokigahara, Japan, her stage from Fatal Fury Special. Fans are thrilled to see her signature fire dancing with her trademark fans, a move that has become synonymous with her character.

Players can get Mai via direct purchase of the Season Pass or buying the in-game currency Fighter Coins to directly buy her if you are just for individual character purchase.

Mai Shiranui will be available to purchase begging in February 5, 2025.

With Mai’s release Capcom closes the circle of the Street Fighter 6 Season 2, of course, the expectations is that the roster for Street Fighter 6 continues to expand, adding more depth and variety to the game’s fighting mechanics as Capcom probably is preparing for Year 3 content.

Business, CES 2025, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo noticed Nintendo Switch successor CES leak

The gaming world is buzzing with excitement and speculation as Nintendo finds itself at the center of a major leak regarding its upcoming console, the Nintendo Switch Succesor, or Switch 2 or some expecting a naming like Super Nintendo Switch (personal favorite too btw).

With the original Nintendo Switch setting a high benchmark, gamers and industry experts alike are eagerly awaiting any official news about its successor. However, recent leaks have fueled the anticipation even further, and Nintendo has been forced to address the growing storm of rumors and speculation.

In recent weeks, a series of leaks about the Nintendo Switch successor have spread like wildfire across the internet. These leaks have revealed tantalizing details about the console’s potential hardware specifications, price point, and the lineup of launch games.

While Nintendo has remained tight-lipped about the authenticity of these leaks, they have officially acknowledged their existence. This acknowledgment has led to a flurry of activity within the gaming community, with fans dissecting every piece of information to glean insights into what the new console might offer.

The plot thickened at CES 2025 when Nintendo’s legal team made headlines by approaching accessory maker Genki. Genki had displayed a replica of the Nintendo Switch 2 at the event, claiming it was based on the circulating leaks rather than any official information from Nintendo.

The mockup drew considerable attention, prompting Nintendo to take action. While Nintendo has not officially commented on the mockup or its creator’s claims, other than the leaks “are not official announcements”, the legal approach indicates the company’s concern over the spread of unofficial information.

With that, journalist Julien Tellouck has not claimed that Nintendo‘s lawyers approached Genki at CES 2025, but Genki representative explained that the company has nothing to worry about because they’ve never signed any confidentiality agreement or NDA with Nintendo, signaling that Nintendo cannot do anything drastically in legal terms.

Is fair to say that this is not an isolated event as Nintendo i known for defending and maintaining control over its announcements and managing public expectations and has been considered crucial at all time.

The acknowledgment of leaks, coupled with the legal actions at CES, underscores the challenges that Nintendo faces in navigating the fine line between fostering excitement and maintaining secrecy.

As the gaming community awaits further official updates from Nintendo, one thing is clear: the anticipation for the Nintendo Switch successor is at an all-time high. Whether these leaks turn out to be accurate or not, they have succeeded in keeping the spotlight firmly on Nintendo and its next big release.

Gaming, News, Nintendo

Lego X Game Boy is the newest lego & Nintendo collab

Nintendo and Lego have once again teamed up to bring fans a nostalgic treat: a Lego version of the iconic Game Boy, set to be released in October 2025. This collaboration continues the trend of Lego sets based on classic Nintendo hardware, following the success of the Lego NES and other Nintendo-themed sets.

The Lego Game Boy set will allow fans to build a miniature version of the original Game Boy, complete with the classic gray casing, purple face buttons, and directional pad. While the teaser trailer didn’t reveal all the details, it’s expected that the set will be a 1:1 scale replica of the original handheld console.

The original Game Boy, released in 1989, is one of the most iconic handheld consoles ever created. It brought joy to millions of gamers and paved the way for future handheld gaming devices.

The Lego Game Boy set will allow fans to relive those memories and add a unique piece to their collection.

No specific pricing information has been released yet, but given the complexity and nostalgia factor, it’s likely to be a premium set. Preorders are expected to open closer to the release date, so fans should keep an eye out for updates from Lego and Nintendo.

Breaking, Business, Featured, Games, Gaming, News

Assassin’s Creed Shadows delayed again while Ubisoft feels lost

While the pressure is on for what’s next for Ubisoft after being challenged in all fronts, including gamers, shareholders and analyst, its management including Yves Guillemot, knows that the gaming world is not oblivious of any of the current situations an possible outcomes.

But things could be escalating as Ubisoft announced that a second delay for its highly-anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, was unavoidable.

Originally set to release on February 14, 2025, the game’s release date has now been pushed to March 20, 20252. This is the second delay for the game, which was initially scheduled to launch in November 2024.

Ubisoft stated that the delay is to allow developers more time to polish the game and incorporate player feedback. The company has been continually checking player feedback from the community and making changes accordingly. The additional time will help create the best conditions for launch by continuing to engage closely with the Assassin’s Creed community.

Ubisoft’s decision to delay the game is also seen as a strategic move to ensure that Assassin’s Creed Shadows becomes a bona-fide hit, potentially attracting more buyers if the company decides to sell.

The game is described as “the biggest entry in the franchise” and is expected to set a new standard for the series.

In the background, this is Ubisoft gaining some time

Before the delay announcement, Ubisoft issued a press release where CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed that the company has hired top international management consulting firms to explore strategic and capital options for the company’s future.

This move is part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at unlocking greater value for Ubisoft’s assets and franchises.

We made good progress on the strategic and execution reviews initiated a few months ago and are confident that this will position Ubisoft for a stronger future. We have taken decisive steps to reshape the Group in order to deliver best-in-class player experiences, enhance operational efficiency and maximize value creation. We also recently appointed leading advisors and are actively exploring various strategic and capitalistic options to unlock the full value potential of our assets. We are convinced that there are several potential paths to generate value from Ubisoft’s assets and franchises.

Additionally, we are all behind our teams’ efforts to create the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed opus of the franchise and made the decision to provide an extra month of development to Shadows in order to better incorporate the player feedback gathered over the past three months that will enable us to fully deliver on the potential of the game and finish the year on a strong note.

Guillemot emphasized that the goal is to pursue various transformational strategic and capitalistic options to extract the best value for stakeholders.

The decision to hire consultants comes amid rumors of a potential sale of the company and it is a normal move when higher ups are unsure what to do next and/or cannot foresee if a new idea will actually be a success or not and how to prepare for either scenarios.

Reportedly, Ubisoft has been in discussions with several potential buyers, including Chinese giant Tencent, which is already a major shareholder. The company is also looking to drive significant cost reductions and adopt a highly selective approach to investments.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Splash Damage pulled the plug of Transformers: Reactivate

Splash Damage’s Transformers: Reactivate has had quite a journey since its original announcement at The Game Awards 2022. The game was revealed with a cinematic trailer set to Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” generating excitement among fans.

It promised a 1-4 player online co-op action game featuring beloved characters like Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave.

However, the development faced numerous challenges over the next two years. Despite initial plans for a closed beta in 2023, updates on the game’s progress were scarce. The studio’s focus shifted to other projects, including an open-world survival game called Project Astrid, developed in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel.

Today, Splash Damage announced the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate.

The studio claims that the decision was not easy and unfortunately, will results in layoffs across the studio as some jobs will become redundant after the cancellation of the project.

Yet, The studio expressed gratitude to the team for their dedication and to Hasbro for their support. They also mentioned that they are now focusing on supporting affected employees and refocusing their efforts on other projects.

Here is the original trailer refereed at the beginning of this article:

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, PC

SMITE 2 will go Free-to-Play this year

Hi-Rez Studios has announced that SMITE 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular third-person MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game, will transition to a free-to-play model starting January 14, 2025. This move marks a significant milestone for the franchise, as it opens up the game to a broader audience.

The Backstory of SMITE

SMITE first launched in 2014, introducing players to a unique third-person perspective that set it apart from traditional top-down MOBAs. Players could choose from a variety of gods and goddesses from different mythologies, each with unique abilities. Over the years, Hi-Rez Studios has consistently updated the game, introducing new gods, maps, and game modes to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

The franchise has also made a name for itself in the competitive gaming scene, with the launch of the SMITE World Championship in 2015. This annual event showcases the best teams from around the world and has helped solidify SMITE’s place in the esports community.

What’s New in SMITE 2?

With the transition to a free-to-play model, SMITE 2 will introduce several new features and improvements. Players can look forward to:

  • 45 Gods: Including new additions like Aladdin, who brings a fresh playstyle inspired by the Disney movie.
  • New Game Modes: Joust and Duel modes, with an alpha version of Assault mode also being tested.
  • Enhanced Graphics and Mechanics: Improved visuals and smoother gameplay mechanics.
  • Community Engagement: Hi-Rez Studios continues to seek player feedback and foster a sense of community through events and updates.

As SMITE 2 enters its open beta phase, the future looks bright for this beloved franchise. The transition to free-to-play is expected to attract both veteran players and newcomers, ensuring that the game remains a staple in the world of MOBAs.

Games, Gaming, News, Xbox

Xbox Game Pass January 2025 Lineup: New Additions & Departures

Xbox has just announced its latest wave of games coming to Game Pass for January 2025, and it’s an exciting mix of new titles and returning favorites. Here’s the full list of what’s coming and going:

New Additions:

  1. Diablo (PC) – January 14
    • The classic action-RPG that defined the genre returns to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
  2. EA Sports UFC 5 (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) – January 14
    • Available through EA Play, this game brings the thrill of mixed martial arts to Game Pass Ultimate.
  3. Road 96 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 7
    • A beautiful road-trip adventure where your choices shape the story.
  4. Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Xbox Series X|S) – January 8
    • Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure.
  5. My Time at Sandrock (Console) – January 8
    • A wholesome post-apocalyptic world where you gather resources and defend the town.
  6. Robin Hood – Sherwood Builders (Xbox Series X|S) – January 8
    • Join Robin Hood and his band of outlaws in 12th-century England.
  7. Rolling Hills (Console) – January 8
    • Serve sushi as a robot chef in this cozy village life sim.

Unfortunately, nothing last forever or at least if we can say a temporary “good-bye” there will be a selection of games that will leave the service while of course, there is hope of them returning later this year or a little more.

Games Leaving:

  1. Common’hood
  2. Escape Academy
  3. Exoprimal
  4. Figment: Journey in the Mind
  5. Insurgency: Sandstorm
  6. Those Who Remain

These changes will take effect on January 15, 2025. If you want to keep playing any of the departing titles, consider purchasing them at a discount while they’re still available on Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate continues to offer an outstanding value proposition with over 100 game titles available for a single subscription. Whether you’re a fan of action-RPGs, fighting games, or life sims, there’s something for everyone in this latest lineup.

Games, Gaming, News

Tencent Games added to US’ enterprises blacklist

Tencent, the Chinese tech and gaming giant, has recently been blacklisted by the United States Department of Defense. The DoD added Tencent to its list of “Chinese Military Companies” due to alleged ties to the Chinese military. This move is part of the broader U.S. government effort to restrict business with companies linked to the Chinese military.

In response, Tencent has stated that its inclusion on the list is a “misunderstanding”. The company emphasized that it is neither a military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base. Tencent’s spokesperson told The Verge mentioned that the listing has no impact on their business but that they will work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstandings.

Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business. We will nonetheless work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstanding.

It’s definitely a significant development, especially considering Tencent’s vast influence in the gaming industry, owning stakes in companies like Riot Games (League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), and many others.

CES 2025, Events, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, PC

Lenovo will keep grinding with Lenovo Go S & Go 2

Beside the proper offering in base of the recent announcements of both AMD and Nvidia, Lenovo did wanted to also use CS 2025 as a platform to announce what is next in their effort for portable PC Gaming with its Lenovo Go brand and we got not one, but two devices.

First, Lenovo confirmed the Lenovo Go S, a entry-level variant of the Lenovo Go original and will have the exclusive Go variant of the recently announced AMD Ryzen Z2 as part of your consideration.

The Lenovo Go S’ specs goes as follows:

  • Display: 8-inch WUXGA 16:10 PureSight touch display with 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Go or Z1 Extreme processors.
  • RAM: Up to 32GB of 7500Mhz LPDDR5X RAM.
  • Battery: 55.5Whr battery.
  • Operating System: Runs Windows 11.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6e support, two USB 4 ports, microSD card reader.

Despite not being a powerhouse in comparison with the original Legion Go, the Lenovo Legion Go S will actually be one of the few handhelds on the market to offer a 120Hz variable refresh rate screen, physically possible due the screen being with a 1920 x 1200 resolution.

The Legion Go S is expected to launch this month at a $499 price that includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage and with $100 more, you get 32GB RAM.

But wait… there’s more with SteamOS

A surprising note is that Lenovo and Valve are in a partnership which will bring a “Powered by SteamOs” variant of the Lenovo Go S with Valve adding:

With Lenovo’s announcement at CES 2025 of the Lenovo Legion Go S, we are pleased to share that their “Powered by SteamOS” model is the first handheld officially licensed to ship with Valve’s SteamOS. We built this operating system to provide a seamless user experience optimized for gaming, while retaining access to the power and flexibility of a PC. SteamOS is the same operating system we run on Steam Deck, and the team is making updates to ensure it fully supports the Lenovo Legion Go S and provides the same seamless experience customers expect.

In addition, the same work that we are doing to support the Lenovo Legion Go S will improve compatibility with other handhelds. Ahead of Legion Go S shipping, we will be shipping a beta of SteamOS which should improve the experience on other handhelds, and users can download and test this themselves. And of course we’ll continue adding support and improving the experience with future releases.

Despite sharing the same tech spec, the SteamOs variant of the Lenovo Go S will not lauch along the regular Windows 11 based device, but will do so by May at a $499 cost for a model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

About the Legion Go 2

Lenovo of course showed the Legion Go S as a proper “follow-up” for the Legion Go, but the true successor is officially in development and slated to be launch this very 2025.

Also, the company said that we should expect its specs to include the Ryzen Z2 Extreme with a 8.8-inch 144Hz OLED screen with VRR ready, and a big 74Wh battery.