Category: Gaming

It’s hard to believe it’s almost been a year since Diablo 4 came out, but June 6 is coming up, and so is Mom’s birthday. Yes, get ready to celebrate with our Blessed Mother, who will give us many rewards.

For Diablo 4’s first anniversary, players will get two events in the game and some free stuff from the store. There will be new cosmetics and lots of goblin spawns in the March of the Goblins event.

Plus, there will be 10 days of Mother’s Blessings, which will give more XP and gold rewards in both Eternal and Seasonal Realms.

Anniversary Celebrations for Diablo IV

Diablo 4 is celebrating the two-year anniversary of Diablo Immortal. I never got into Diablo Immortal, but this event is bringing cool bonuses to Diablo 4, which I love playing right now.

Diablo Immortal is turning two, and we’ve got just the thing to celebrate.

From limited-time events to fights with Avarice the Gold Cursed from Diablo IV to the return of Bards and more, find out all about our in-game Anniversary celebrations in our blog! https://t.co/rpQKi7jAkY pic.twitter.com/GcRb3SkduQ

— Diablo Immortal (@DiabloImmortal) May 30, 2024

The event is called “March of the Goblins,” and here are the bonuses that will be coming to Diablo 4 and when to expect them.

March of the Goblins – June 6-13

From June 6 to June 13, there will be more Treasure Goblins appearing in Sanctuary. Sometimes, you might even see two or more at once.

These goblins will have better loot in their bags, including boss summoning materials and at least one guaranteed legendary item. Hopefully, there will be even more good stuff.

However, Treasure Goblins won’t appear in The Pit, a popular activity this season, which has no drops until the final chest to keep speed runs fast.

Mother’s Blessing – June 14-24

From June 14 to June 24, players will get 25% more experience and 50% more gold. These bonuses stack with other boosts, making it easier to progress through the battle pass and farm mastery levels. The gold boost will also help you level up alternate characters quickly.

Free Cosmetics – Claim Any Time Between June 6-20

Between June 6 and June 20, you can claim seven free cosmetics by logging into the game. These include a scythe, two swords, a staff, an axe, a new horse, and horse armor. Just log in during this period to get these cool items instantly.

If you want to read more articles related to Diablo 4, you can also read these articles Diablo 4 Season 4 Loot Reborn Guide: Conquer the New Itemization Frontier

Microsoft has confirmed that Call of Duty Black Ops 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on its release day.

In a post on Xbox Wire, Microsoft invited fans to its Xbox Games Showcase event and the Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Direct on June 9, 2024, at 10 am PT. During this event, they will share more details about the game and show the first in-depth gameplay look at this “dark new chapter” in the Black Ops series.

The announcement was made alongside a live-action reveal trailer called ‘The Truth Lies’. The trailer features world leaders like Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, Colin Powell, and Saddam Hussein giving mysterious speeches. Black Ops 6 is set during the Gulf War in the early ’90s.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Will Launch on Game Pass

The company confirmed earlier this week that Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on Game Pass from day one after the information was leaked ahead of schedule. Some people wondered if Microsoft might use the game’s release to change Xbox Game Pass pricing or tiers.

A dark new chapter of the Black Ops franchise begins. Call of Duty: #BlackOps6 pic.twitter.com/db3lPR0ibI

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 23, 2024

Since last week, Microsoft and Activision have been building excitement for this year’s Call of Duty. A teaser website called TheTruthLies.com has appeared, where visitors can interact with buttons on a TV set. Each channel shows mysterious footage, like the defacement of Mount Rushmore.

The Call of Duty team also shared a live-action teaser trailer for the new game. The description reads, “If it’s the truth you seek, look in the dark 🔥” with the tagline “The Truth Lies.”

It was previously reported that Black Ops 6 will be set during the Gulf War. We will learn more about the game when Microsoft hosts its hour-long presentation dedicated to Black Ops 6 next month.

This event will provide an in-depth look at the gameplay for the next main Call of Duty game, which Microsoft describes as a “dark new chapter” for the Black Ops series.

The Impact of Including Call of Duty in Game Pass

Microsoft has changed the way big video games are released. They announced that the new Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available right away to people who subscribe to its Game Pass service.

Normally, gamers have to pay a lot of money upfront to buy new games when they first come out. But now, with the latest Call of Duty, they can choose to pay a smaller amount every month instead.

Christopher Dring from GamesIndustry.biz told the BBC this is a big deal for Microsoft and the game industry. Microsoft has released games on Game Pass on their launch day before, like Starfield in 2023, but never something as big as Call of Duty.

Call of Duty is one of the most popular game series ever, selling over 425 million copies and making billions of dollars. It’s a big deal for Microsoft because they bought the company that makes Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard, for $69 billion.

Instead of selling Call of Duty the usual way, Microsoft is trying something new. “Call of Duty is the biggest game to come out on a subscription service on the day it is released,” said Mr. Dring. He thinks it’s a big test for subscriptions. If Call of Duty doesn’t get more people to subscribe, then maybe nothing will.

Over the years, many new mobile games have been released that push the boundaries of this portable genre. Mobile games have become big, impressive works, but sometimes, you just want to relax and play a casual game. Luckily, we have a few casual mobile games for you to enjoy.

In this list, we’ll talk about mobile games that you can play on iOS, Android, or both. These games are perfect whether you have a few minutes to spare or want to unwind with a relaxing game. Plus, many of these games are free to play, so you can start playing right away.

Updated on January 25, 2023, by Jacqueline Zalace: We’ve added even more casual mobile games to this list, covering a wider range of genres. No matter your style, you can find a casual mobile game that suits your interests.

6. Bloons Tower Defense 6

Bloons Tower Defense is a classic game that first came out in 2007 as a browser game. Even today, Bloons Tower Defense is still popular, with the sixth game in the series released in 2018.

In Bloons Tower Defense 6, also known as Bloons TD 6, you’ll continue to pop balloons using monkeys placed strategically on the map. You can also use Hero Monkeys, which have powerful abilities, to help you in battles.

If you liked the previous Bloons Tower Defense games, you’ll enjoy Bloons TD 6. It brings back the classic features but with a fresh new look. Plus, it’s a great game to play casually because it’s not too complicated and easy to learn.

5. Townscaper

Townscaper is the ultimate relaxing city-building game. Unlike games like Cities: Skylines where you have to manage resources and traffic, in Townscaper, you can build and design freely without any specific goals.

This game is all about a laid-back experience, encouraging you to be creative and construct the little island town of your dreams. Since there are no real objectives, it’s perfect for playing casually on your phone, especially when you’re on the go and have only a short time to play.

4. Monument Valley 2

Next, we have Monument Valley 2. It’s a puzzle game with lots of mazes and optical illusions that will leave you scratching your head. Your job is to figure out and finish each puzzle.

The game has a simple style with beautiful colors that will catch your eye. Once you start playing, you’ll see how enjoyable each puzzle is. If you like the game, there’s also a first Monument Valley game you can play!

3. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley became hugely popular when it came out in 2016. Since then, this farming game has moved from PC to other platforms like iOS and Android.

The mobile version of Stardew Valley includes all the content from the original game, but updates may take a bit longer to arrive compared to other platforms. Stardew Valley is very flexible. You can spend hours designing your farm and chatting with villagers, or just a few minutes harvesting crops.

2. Two Dots

Two Dots is a very simple game where you connect dots to remove them from the board. You connect dots either horizontally or vertically, and when you do, they disappear and new dots come in their place.

Similar to Monument Valley 2, Two Dots is great because it’s so simple. The design is basic, and when you connect dots, it makes satisfying sounds. It’s a puzzle game with levels, so you can play a few dozen levels at a time or just one round if you want.

1. One More Line

Lastly, we have One More Line. This game describes itself as a ‘space disco’ where you guide a small shape through a vertical course, creating music and patterns as you go. You can play it on the go or your computer. On the Steam version of One More Line, you can play with others.

In the game, you’ll grapple and fly between moving ‘handles’ as you constantly move upwards. It has a scoring system that ranges from ‘You’re not trying’ to ‘Best in the world!!!’. One More Line can be played endlessly, and once you hear the music, you’ll get hooked.

Anyone who likes anime has probably heard of Neon Genesis Evangelion or just Evangelion. It’s one of the most important and unique anime series ever made. If you haven’t heard of it (how?!), the story is about a group called NERV that recruits teenagers to pilot giant robots called Evangelions to fight creatures called Angels.

The main character, Shinji Ikari, is the son of NERV’s director, and the series follows his battles against monsters and his struggles.

Evangelion is very popular worldwide and has expanded into merchandise, advertisements, collaborations, and video games. In this list, we will look at the best Evangelion video games.

Updated on March 1, 2023, by Axel Bosso: Since the last Evangelion movie was released in 2021 and is supposed to be the end of the series, there haven’t been any new announcements.

But we decided to update this list to find the best Neon Genesis Evangelion video games. Sadly, most of these games are still hard to find, but you can watch gameplay videos to check them out.

5. Evangelion VR The Throne Of Souls: Berserk

Have you ever wanted to know what it feels like to be an EVA pilot? If you’re going to Tokyo and visit Shinjuku Kabukicho, you can try the VR game Evangelion VR Throne of Souls: Berserk.

This game is part of the “VR ZONE” attraction. Up to four players can feel like they’re really inside an EVA, syncing with LCL, fighting the 10th Angel, and experiencing the power of an EVA going berserk. It’s a unique experience that anyone visiting Japan should try.

4. Neon Genesis Evangelion Online

Neon Genesis Evangelion Online was a mobile game released in 2016. It was a hack-and-slash game where players controlled a team of three EVAs, exploring a map of Tokyo-3 and fighting waves of enemies.

When you completed levels, you earned loot, which included items to upgrade your EVA pilot and make the EVA units’ moves stronger. There were also special moves where the EVAs would team up to deal huge damage to an opponent. Sadly, Evangelion Online shut down in 2018.

3. Neon Genesis Evangelion: Battle Orchestra

The emotional story of Shinji and his friends trying to deal with their issues, connect with others, and face their childhood traumas is a big part of what makes Evangelion such a gripping series. However, some people might know the series for the exciting battles between the EVA units and the Angels.

Battle Orchestra is a game that lets players relive their favorite fights and create their epic battles. It’s an Evangelion fighting game where you can control every EVA Unit and Angel from the series. The game feels like Super Smash Bros with its 2D characters and 3D backgrounds and environments.

2. Shinseki Evangelion 2 Evangelions

Shinseiki Evangelion 2 Evangelion is a game only released in Japan for the PS2 in 2003 and later relaunched for the PSP in 2006. This game is based on extensive interviews with the series creator, Hideaki Anno.

The game has two modes. In one mode, you control the EVAs to fight against Angels. In the other mode, you follow a story where you can play as different characters from the series, including the EVA pilots, NERV staff, and even Pen-Pen. You unlock more characters as you progress through certain events in the game.

1. Evangelion: Breaking Dawn

Most of the games on this list are hard to find or can’t be played anymore, but Evangelion: Breaking Dawn is one that anyone can play. It’s a mobile RPG where you can collect different EVA units from the entire series, including the movies Rebuild and ANIMA. You use these units to fight through various stages in the game, which has its own original story.

In this game, unlike many other Evangelion video games, you can dress up your EVA pilot in different outfits. You can also take part in PVP battles against players from around the world in either 1V1 or 3V3 battles.

Stay ahead of the gaming curve in 2024 with our handpicked selection of Top 5 Focus Entertainment Games.

The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake will recreate the classic role-playing game using the same graphical style as Square Enix’s Octopath Traveler series. The remake is getting closer to release and has been confirmed to be available on multiple platforms.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake

A post on X/Twitter teased the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, which was announced in May 2021 but hasn’t had much news since. The post confirmed the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Windows Store.

The legend of Erdrick draws near.
#DragonQuestDay #DQDay #DragonQuest pic.twitter.com/KFtqhVY61q

— DRAGON QUEST (@DragonQuest) May 27, 2024

“The legend of Erdrick draws near,” the post reads, while a short teaser video ends with the phrase, “The legacy begins.” This suggests that Square Enix is close to showing more of the game and maybe announcing a release date, possibly during a summer 2024 event where E3 used to happen.

The Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake is a recreation of the 1988 original game, arriving more than 30 years later. The HD-2D style, first used in Octopath Traveler for the Nintendo Switch in 2018, features 2D characters moving through high-quality backgrounds, paying tribute to classic turn-based RPGs.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Platform

Square Enix has released a new teaser video for Dragon Quest III in HD-2D. The video reveals that the game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

The teaser doesn’t directly say “Dragon Quest III in HD-2D,” but it shows the Mark of Erdrick, which appears in Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line, and Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation. The video also includes the text “The legacy begins.”

The Dragon Quest and HD-2D logos are shown above the Mark of Erdrick, along with the logos for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Windows.

Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D to Release on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series, and PC

Square Enix has announced that Dragon Quest 3 HD is coming to the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The news was confirmed on the series’ official X account a few hours ago. However, no additional details about the HD-2D remake were provided. The remake was first announced in 2021 during the 35th anniversary live stream of the franchise. At that time, Square Enix mentioned the remake would be released on consoles.

Square Enix previously described the remake as follows: “In this latest visual iteration of DRAGON QUEST III, long-time fans and newcomers will be invited to experience this HD-2D version of DRAGON QUEST III that provides a unique three-dimensional feel by adding 3D effects to pixel-based backgrounds.”

Dragon Quest 3: The Seeds of Salvation was originally released in 1988 for the NES. Enhanced versions were released for the SNES in 1996 and for the GBA in 2001. The game was also ported to the Nintendo Wii and mobile phones.

The new version of the game will be an HD-2D remake, a visual style used in other Square Enix titles like Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. Despite its simple look, developing HD-2D titles is quite expensive.

In 2022, producer Tomoya Asano said, “It’s probably worth noting that it costs more than you’d think. In that respect, it’s a good match for the titles we want out of Square Enix. There might not be much to gain from other companies copying it.”

Asano also mentioned that the teams working on previous titles share useful information with the newer teams, allowing them to incorporate effective methods from earlier games into the new ones.

For additional information on other games, see Hades 2 Release Date PS5 and GTA VI Release Date Rumors. 

After Season 4 arrived with many changes, lots of Diablo 4 players have come back to the game, and it has become very popular on Steam. The new season, called Season 4: Loot Reborn, has been mostly successful, with many players happy with Blizzard’s updates.

Unlike the less popular Season 3, Blizzard took extra time to get feedback from players before starting Season 4. They tested new features, like improved crafting and item systems, and updated Helltides.

These positive changes have made many players feel that the game is now much better. Because of these improvements, Diablo 4 has seen a big increase in players on Steam.

Diablo 4 Season 4 Loot Reborn guide

When Blizzard released Diablo III in May 2012, the game had many problems. The servers were overloaded, which made players very angry. The game was also very unbalanced, with only a few classes being good for the end game.

The real-money marketplace hurt the game community. Diablo IV had similar problems but not as bad. The game was in better shape, and people who played Diablo III at launch knew that Blizzard would likely fix the game after getting player feedback.

Season 4: Loot Reborn will change way you slay in #DiabloIV.

We asked Franchise Manager @RodFergusson and Art Director @johnmuellerart to summarize the season as quickly as possible. pic.twitter.com/7V2Rkm3Sjn

— Diablo (@Diablo) May 6, 2024

Even though I enjoyed Diablo IV before it was officially released, I knew it would take months or even a year for Blizzard to make improvements. Diablo IV Season 4: Loot Reborn is a big step in the right direction.

For those who don’t know about these changes, either because they weren’t interested in Diablo IV before or stopped playing after launch, Blizzard has completely changed how items and systems work. I was one of those who lost interest and went back to playing Diablo III.

Now, Blizzard has made it easier to get Codices, which are passive abilities from gear that all characters on your account can use. Some passives are still tied to Dungeons, but now you only need to do them once per Season instead of once per character. This is a huge improvement.

Season 4 also added Affixes through Tempering. These are extra attributes you can add to your weapons, like increasing damage to specific skills or boosting elemental resistances. Masterworking items is another new feature that makes your gear even stronger.

There is a lot to explore, and although Diablo IV still lacks some features from Diablo III, like saving gear sets, the improvements are significant.

One of the best updates, in my opinion, made the Necromancer class much more fun to play. Before, the Necromancer’s minions felt weak, but now I can summon a horde of skeletons and easily handle Helltides and Rifts. I love playing Necromancer so much that I stopped playing my Rogue.

A friend of mine who plays as a Barbarian also loved the changes, which made their build more effective. This season, Blizzard has focused on making players feel powerful rather than weakening them.

Everything is fun now. Helltides, Rifts, and even leveling up are exciting because it’s faster, and rare items drop more often. Season 4 started on May 15, 2024, and I’ve already completed my Battle Pass with over twenty hours played on my Seasonal character.

I had so much fun that I used the currency from previous Battle Passes to get a skin for my Necromancer. I hope Blizzard continues this path with Diablo IV, keeping characters strong and item drops plentiful because it would be a shame to step back from this when Diablo IV is in its best state since launch.

What These Diablo 4 Steam Player Numbers Mean?

According to SteamDB, Diablo 4 reached its highest number of players ever after the launch of Season 4: Loot Reborn. Over the weekend, the Steam version of Diablo 4 had 29,035 players playing at the same time, breaking the previous record of 28,836 players. What’s even more impressive is that many players have continued to play beyond the launch of Season 4.

While these numbers are impressive for Steam, they are likely only a small part of the total number of players because Diablo 4 is also available on consoles and Game Pass. When Diablo 4 first launched in June 2023, it was only available for PC players through Battle.net.

The game then launched on Steam a few months later in October. Some players might have switched to Steam, but it is likely that Battle.net still has more players since it was the only place to play for a few months.

Even though most players are happy with the changes Blizzard has made, not everything has gone perfectly. Some players have found unfinished items in the game, like a unique amulet called Eye of the Depths that had “WIP” (work in progress) and “TBD” (to be determined) in its description.

Diablo 4 Season 4: Loot Reborn Spurs 212% Player Growth on PS5 and PS4

Using data from over 3.1 million active PSN accounts (thanks to our partnership with GameInsights), we’ve seen a big increase in the number of PS5 and PS4 players starting up Diablo IV recently.

During the week ending Sunday, May 19, 2024, Diablo 4 saw a 212.7% increase in PS5 and PS4 players after the free Loot Reborn update came out on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

A week earlier, Diablo 4 was in the 52nd spot on our weekly popular PlayStation Chart, meaning it had fewer players than games like Rise of the Ronin and Battlefield 2042. After the Loot Reborn update, Diablo 4 moved up to the 17th spot, becoming more popular than games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Genshin Impact.

The last time Diablo 4 had a big increase in players was during the launch of Season of Blood in October 2023. Before that, the game lost many players after the unpopular Season of the Malignant in July 2023, which introduced a disliked Battle Pass and content that caused player burnout.

By the time Season of Blood launched in October, Diablo 4 had lost 80.76% of its player base. Season of Blood brought a 104.48% increase in players, but they quickly stopped playing. The next update, Season of the Construct, came out in January 2024 and brought back 76.91% more players.

Loot Reborn has brought the biggest increase in players on PS5 and PS4 so far. This is likely because of the new season’s promises: easier item management, better loot distribution, and changes to make getting powerful items more reliable. These improvements should make the game more fun and less frustrating to play.

Top-down games are special because they show the game world from above. This view lets players navigate and plan differently compared to the usual first and third-person games.

These games often provide a strong tactical experience, focusing on puzzle-solving, combat strategy, and resource management. This style gives developers more room to create complex levels and detailed environments, and it’s great for popular gameplay styles like dungeon crawling.

Top-down games can be anything from tough, challenging roguelikes to relaxing, peaceful simulations, offering a range of experiences for fans. For Steam users, there are several excellent top-down RPGs available that stand out.

1. Divinity: Original Sin 2

This highly praised RPG takes players to the troubled fantasy world of Rivellon, where many interdimensional monsters are causing problems. The player becomes a key figure who uses a dangerous magic called the Source to try to fix the situation.

Rivellon is a detailed and immersive world to explore, full of deep character development and rich storytelling. The game features strategic, turn-based combat and many exciting quests, making it very engaging.

The character customization and player progression systems are very detailed, allowing players to create and stick to their unique playing style. The game has multiple endings based on player choices, giving it a lot of replay value as players think about which end is the best.

2. Pillars Of Eternity

Modeled after classic RPGs like Baldur’s Gate, Pillars of Eternity takes players to the depths of Dyrwood. The region is plagued by a strange disease called hollowborn, where children are born without souls.

Pillars of Eternity has a captivating story and pays great attention to detail. The fantasy world is well-crafted and quickly draws players in.

There’s deep lore to uncover and plenty of interesting quests to complete, making the game addictive. The top-down view makes it nostalgic, reminiscent of classic fantasy RPGs, and the real-time combat adds suspense.

The game is full of moral choices and their consequences, and it shines brightest in its deep storytelling.

3. Bastion

This action RPG from 2011 caught attention right away because of its unique art style. Bastion has captivating sound and atmospheric narration, making it a memorable isometric game.

The story follows The Kid, a silent character in the city of Caelondia. Players explore the area to find Cores, important items needed to power the damaged city.

Bastion’s hand-painted visuals are striking and different from most other games. It also has an atmospheric soundtrack that adds to its immersive quality.

The game offers many narrative choices, and each one changes the game a little bit. This makes Bastion have a lot of replay value, as players try to discover all the different ways the story can go.

4. Torchlight 2

Runic Games’ action RPG from 2012 impressed players and critics with its mix of exploration, quests, and fast-paced combat. The combat translated well into the game’s cooperative multiplayer mode.

The game is set after the town of Torchlight suffers a big disaster. Players can choose from four different classes to build their characters. They have to confront the Alchemist, a hero who turned into a villain from the first Torchlight game.

Torchlight 2 is a slow-burning RPG dungeon-crawler with a good story that ties into the original game while standing on its own. There are three big areas to explore across three parts of the game.

Players get to use lots of skills, follow an interesting story, and take part in thrilling action. Torchlight 2 was even more popular than the original and pleased both old and new fans.

5. Wasteland 2

For fans who loved the first two Fallout games, Wasteland 2 is a tactical, post-apocalyptic RPG that brings back a sense of nostalgia. It was released 26 years after the original 1988 game, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign.

The game is set in a world devastated by a nuclear war in the late ’90s. It takes place 15 years after the events of the original game, starting in the ruined landscape of Arizona. Players face many dangers in this damaged world, including devastating storms, homicidal robots, and struggling communities.

Wasteland 2’s combat system focuses on tactics, which suits its top-down, isometric style. Players need to think strategically and manage resources carefully to survive encounters with various deadly threats.

The game has strong replay value because of its branching narrative and multiple endings, keeping players engaged with its well-written story.

Its popularity led to the release of Wasteland 3, continuing the series’ success.

6. Transistor

In 2014, Transistor offered players a unique mix of real-time combat and strategic gameplay. This creative sci-fi adventure is set in a futuristic cityscape that’s visually stunning.

Players control Red, a famous singer who battles numerous robotic enemies in the bustling city of Cloudbank. She uses the Transistor, a powerful weapon perfectly suited for defeating these dangerous robots in combat.

The game features a fitting soundtrack and impressive visuals that keep players engaged with its deep, conspiracy-filled story. Transistor impresses gamers with its diverse combat mechanics and colorful art style, making it a top-down favorite even today.

7. Tyranny

Unfortunately, Tyranny didn’t have enough money to reach its full potential. The game’s exploration of evil is something extraordinary that not many games try, which makes it special.

Tyranny is great to play because of its fantastic writing and interesting characters. It may not succeed in all areas, but it shines in others. Even though the ending feels rushed, players can still have a lot of fun with this game.

Explore the rarest gems of the Xbox 360 era in our article on the 10 Rarest Xbox 360 Games. Stay ahead of the gaming curve in 2024 with our curated list of 10 New Games to Play on Xbox Game Pass.

Akuma has been in Street Fighter 6 for less than a day, but fans have already found two secret super moves he can do. The trick? You can only use them after his secret taunt – where Akuma sits on the ground and eats a rice ball for 30 seconds.

Most characters have only three super moves, but Akuma has seven, counting the two hidden ones not listed in the game. Even though these moves are secret, fans on social media quickly found the hidden taunt and the special moves.

Akuma Update launches in Street Fighter 6

The first secret move is done by doing two-quarter circles back and pressing the kick button. This move is a callback to Kage’s V-Trigger 1 from Street Fighter 5, Rikudo Osatsu. The second secret move is done by pressing down, down, and all three punch buttons. This move is his super move from Street Fighter 5.

If two Akuma players at @Evo start the set with this taunt, the roof will blow off the convention center. https://t.co/w8BDsKG2Ds

— Maximilian Dood (@maximilian_) May 22, 2024

That’s not all! While in this special state, Akuma can also do his classic double air fireballs by doing a quarter circle back and pressing two punch buttons while jumping forward. The best part is that it doesn’t cost any meter.

However, these moves aren’t very useful in competitive play because the taunt makes Akuma sit with his back to his opponent for 30 seconds. Still, it’s a fun Easter Egg, and as the popular fighting game streamer Maximilian Dood says, it gives Akuma players a funny way to start Evo matches.

Akuma was added to Street Fighter 6 just today, which has made more people interested in the game.

According to SteamDB, there were 70,000 players on Steam today, much more than the usual 5,000 to 25,000 players before the update. Akuma is a classic boss from the Street Fighter series, first appearing in Street Fighter II, so it’s no surprise that fans are excited about his addition.

Activision has started promoting Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 with the release of the first teaser.

The teaser, shared by the CharlieIntel X/Twitter account, shows a live-action video of Mount Rushmore being vandalized with the words “The Truth Lies.” This teaser is part of a website that has an interactive TV with six channels, hinting at the game’s name.

First Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Teaser Appears

BREAKING: Blurred version of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 key art has leaked

Source: @billbil_kun pic.twitter.com/K6r6gNMbef

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 22, 2024

A second teaser for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is now online, hinting that we’ll soon see what the remaining four channels have to offer. This new teaser is about 20 seconds shorter than the first and shows the same mysterious group putting up black and orange posters that say “The Truth Lies.”

BREAKING: Another teaser video for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is live

This video is on Channel 2 of the website: https://t.co/xkFAl0oiEk pic.twitter.com/b7M52O4qXQ

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 22, 2024

If you visit the website, you can hear spooky music when the digital TV is turned off. You can watch the new teaser footage posted by CharlieIntel below.

Microsoft is expected to announce that Black Ops 6 will be available on Game Pass during its June Xbox showcase. Although Microsoft hasn’t commented on this yet, Xbox president Sarah Bond has suggested that all Microsoft games, including those from Activision, will launch directly on Game Pass.

Activision is reportedly aiming to release this year’s Call of Duty, expected to be called Black Ops 6, in late October 2024. This follows teasers found in Warzone, acknowledged by developer Treyarch. Microsoft is also rumored to be planning to add the Call of Duty back catalog to Game Pass before Black Ops 6 is released.

While the TV-themed teaser website promises more information soon, details about Black Ops 6 are still largely unknown. We should hear more during the Xbox showcase on June 9, 2024.

If you are struggling to survive in COD Zombie game then you can read our special guide on Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Zombies Guide: How To Survive The Undead Invasion.

The co-op third-person shooter, published by PlayStation and developed by Arrowhead Games, was released in February and sold 12 million copies in three months. It is now PlayStation’s fastest-selling game, even bigger than God of War, Spider-Man, or Uncharted.

Helldivers 2 Developer Arrowhead Gets New CEO

Arrowhead Game Studios has named Shams Jorjani as its new CEO, replacing company founder Johan Pilestedt. Pilestedt will stay on as chief creative officer and chairman. This change follows the huge success of Helldivers 2, which sold 12 million copies since its release in February on PS5 and PC.

Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead has a new CEO after its previous boss stepped down to take on a new role focused on the studio’s games and community. https://t.co/XotQZfIgpI pic.twitter.com/iT2YEOTaYO

— IGN (@IGN) May 22, 2024

Jorjani has a lot of experience in the gaming industry. He spent 12 years in senior roles at Paradox Interactive, chaired indie publisher Hooded Horse, and advises various game businesses.

Pilestedt explained to GamesIndustry.biz that having a dedicated CEO will allow him to focus more on game creation while providing the company with strong leadership.

He realized he had to choose between his passion for creating games and managing the business as the company grew beyond 120 developers.

Over the past year, as they launched Helldivers 2, he found himself spending more time on business matters and less on creative work. This led him to reach out to Jorjani about becoming the new CEO.

Also Read:

• Helldivers 2’s Latest Patch: Fire Gets Toned Down, Democracy Spreads Further
• Elden Ring DLC Trailer: Descend into the Land of Shadow!

Jorjani said that his role will be to provide organization and leadership. He wants to set up the team for consistent success, allowing Pilestedt and the team to focus on making great games. His experience at Paradox, where he helped grow the company, will help Arrowhead Game Studios run smoothly and effectively.

The goal is to support Johan and the team in creating more games like Helldivers by building a strong structure around them.

Helldivers 2 has many weapons and items that fans think need better balancing. It’s been a while since the last balance patch, but Arrowhead, the developer, has confirmed they are working on it.

They want to take their time to make sure the changes are good decisions. There’s no specific timeframe yet, but the Helldivers 2 community manager mentioned that a fix for one of the most frustrating weapons should be in the “next big patch.”

One weapon that players think needs a major improvement is the 500KG bomb. Many believe it needs a big buff.

As for upcoming content, fans are excited about the arrival of the Illuminate alien race. Leaks have shown a first look at the Illuminate gauntlet and a four-armed enemy from the Illuminate.

There is a lot to look forward to in Helldivers 2. New content is always welcome, but fans are also focused on how to better balance the game. The spear, in particular, has been complained about for months, but a fix is said to be on the way.

Helldivers 2’s Latest Patch

Reddit user uglisaft_ shared a screenshot where Helldivers 2 community manager, Twinbeard, suggested a fix for the spear is coming.

When asked for an update about the spear, Twinbeard responded, “I believe it is, yes. Fixed in the next big patch, that is.”

Update regarding the Spear fix
byu/uglisaft_ inHelldivers

Fans are happy to hear this, but “next big patch” makes it unclear when the fix will arrive. It might come with the next update Arrowhead is working on, or it could come with a future update before the next Premium Warbond, as some Reddit users have guessed.

Many fans are tired of waiting and want the spear fixed as soon as possible. Former community manager, Spitz, said two months ago that a fix for the spear was tested and coming soon, but the problem still exists.

Fans have responded with comments like “believe it when I see it” and “Sure it is. Just like it was fixed last time. It’s been over a month since it was ‘fixed 17 days ago’.” Hopefully, the fix for the spear comes soon.

If you don’t know what the issue with the spear is, since the game’s launch, fans have complained about its lock-on feature.

Players have reported on Reddit that the spear lock-on is inconsistent. Sometimes it works perfectly, but many times it keeps switching between locking on and losing the target.

Fans agree that the lock-on is messed up because it often fails to lock on to things that are stationary and not blocked. This is a big problem because a successful lock-on is essential for the weapon’s effectiveness.

The spear can “one-shot bile titans,” but only with a successful headshot lock-on. Otherwise, it just removes back armor and deals 30% of the titan’s health.

The Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree DLC story trailer is here. It shows The Land of Shadows with amazing CGI visuals, mixing some gore with beautiful scenery.

In February, Bandai Entertainment and FromSoftware gave us a sneak peek of the upcoming DLC. The short trailer featured fierce bosses and new mechanics, just what fans expected.

Now, FromSoftware has shared more details about the story in The Elden Ring DLC, making fans even more excited.

Elden Ring DLC Trailer

FromSoftware has released a new story trailer for the Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree.

The shadow of the story can now be told. Learn the history of the Realm of Shadow, the unseen land that will be revealed on June 21, 2024.

Pre-order #ELDENRING Shadow of the Erdtree: https://t.co/X4NyBsLYRC pic.twitter.com/JimqtDxcGu

— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) May 21, 2024

The trailer is three minutes long and gives us a fresh look at the story, which has mostly been kept secret until now, despite lots of analysis and speculation on previous trailers.

The narration starts with, “Miquella the kind spoke of the beginning. The seduction and the betrayal. An affair from which gold arose. And so too was shadow born.”

This seems to set the stage for the story. We see Miquella walking up bloody steps towards an archway of bloodied bodies, likely waking up from his slumber.

We also see a war with flames and many caged fiery giants from the previous trailer. The narration says, “A purge without grace or honour, the tyranny of Messmer’s flame,” as the villain oversees the battle.

The camera then shows the battle in the shadow of the golden Erdtree, hinting that Miquella and Messmer are enemies.

Throughout the trailer, we see a golden symbol, probably left by Miquella, in different places. This might be a new type of site of grace or just a marker for our goal.

In the final shot, the camera pulls back to show several characters standing at one of these symbols with the golden Erdtree in the background.

These might be characters we’ll meet on our journey as we follow Miquella. As is common in Souls games, they might not be trustworthy. The narration ends with, “We choose to follow. Will you walk with us?”

Shadow of the Erdtree will be released on June 21st across all platforms and will be FromSoftware’s largest expansion ever. It will be the only DLC, but it might not be the end of the series.

Elden Ring DLC Story

The Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree will take players to a new land that was destroyed by Messmer the Impaler, who seems to be the main villain in the DLC. Messmer, a demigod, started a terrible event called the “purge without grace” for Marika, causing a mass killing in the Land of Shadow, hidden by the Erdtree.

Miquella, another key character, opposed the purge and sacrificed himself in the same place where it happened. In the trailer, Miquella is shown as a hero, but he’s the older twin brother of Malenia, one of the toughest bosses in Elden Ring.

Players will continue their journey after the genocide, in a land destroyed by Messmer’s flames. The trailer ends with people gathering to join Miquella’s forces and fight against Messmer.

The short story trailer for Elden Ring DLC is full of emotion and has got fans excited again.

We know about a few bosses, like Miquella, Messmer, Queen Marika, and Blue Dancer. More details will be revealed as the DLC’s release date gets closer.

Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree will be released on June 21, 2024, on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

A new vehicle has leaked ahead of its release in Fortnite for Chapter 5 Season 3. The upcoming season, called “Wrecked”, has a post-apocalypse theme and is set to start on May 24. So far, no new cosmetics for this season have been revealed, but fans can expect Fallout-themed items soon.

Fortnite recently tweeted an image of power armor covered in dust with the words “Fortnite Battle Royale”, confirming a collaboration with Fallout. Fallout also tweeted the same image with the caption “Something S.P.E.C.I.A.L. coming.”

The Fallout franchise, owned by Bethesda and Xbox, has become very popular lately. It fits well with the post-apocalyptic theme of Chapter 5 Season 3.

Twitch streamer Swearin tweeted a picture of a toy Fortnite vehicle that hasn’t been released yet. Swearin mentioned, “Fortnite sent me a car inspired by one of the new vehicles for next season.”

The toy car is a red tow truck with a black cogwheel on its sides, and engine exhausts coming out of the hood and side skirts. The truck has a sleek design, and its license plate reads “EAT NTRO”, possibly hinting at the theme of the next Fortnite season.

Fortnite Teases Fallout Collaboration

Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG franchise, Fallout, is coming to Fortnite. The Fallout series got a huge boost in popularity thanks to the hit Amazon TV show.

On May 17, Epic Games announced that Fallout would be coming to Fortnite with a single image and a few emojis.

😉👍 pic.twitter.com/AKjFXVnHST

— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) May 17, 2024

Players will likely get to visit a Fallout-inspired location on Fortnite’s map. It looks like the iconic power armor from the Fallout games will also be added to Fortnite as a premium cosmetic skin.

In April, the live-action Fallout TV series premiered on Amazon Prime and became one of the service’s biggest hits and most-watched shows of the year.

This made the games more popular than ever, even crashing a mod site. So it’s no surprise that Epic and Bethesda are working together on a big Fallout/Fortnite event.

Right now, we don’t have a lot of details about this crossover or when it will happen in Fortnite. It could just be a small thing with a few skins and nothing more.

But it seems likely that this will be a bigger event with more than just cosmetic items, maybe even including quests. The teaser image from Epic shows at least one Fallout-inspired location on the map, suggesting that this event could have more to offer than just cool-looking power armor.

Fortnite Leak

Live events in Fortnite have been teasing the release of Chapter 5 Season 3 for some time now. The most recent event showed Zeus’s lightning striking Pandora’s Box, sinking it into the Styx River.

FORTNITE SENT ME A CAR INSPIRED BY ONE OF THE NEW VEHICLES FOR NEXT SEASON.

This thing is so sick. 🔥 #FortniteC5S3Wrecked #GetWrecked #epicpartner pic.twitter.com/kjytbiHtl4

— Stride Swearin (@Swearin_) May 17, 2024

Now, a blinking red light hovers on the horizon, flashing “no hope” in Morse code. In Fortnite lore, Pandora’s Box is linked with the apocalypse, making it a fitting way for Fortnite to move into the next season.

Fans don’t have much time left to prepare for the new Fortnite season. A long list of quests has been available since March 8, giving players a chance to catch up on the Battle Pass.

The current season, Myths & Mortals, features many Greek-themed skins in the Battle Pass that fans won’t want to miss. Players can expect the post-apocalyptic-themed season to start soon, and they have until around 1:30 AM ET on May 24 to finish the current Battle Pass.

Completing season quests will be crucial for earning enough XP to finish the pass before the next season begins. Downtime usually starts around 2 AM ET, with matchmaking disabled 30 minutes earlier.

The Elden Ring community got excited when a surprise DLC image revealed a new version of an old enemy with a new weapon type.

Now, FromSoftware producer Yasuhiro Kitao has dropped another teaser art piece that looks a lot like Bloodborne, almost making me think it wasn’t Elden Ring at first.

Elden Ring’s New Enemy Revealed

Kitao hadn’t tweeted since February 21, when he thanked the Elden Ring community for their patience in waiting for the DLC.

Then, out of nowhere, he shared the new enemy art and quickly followed it up with an environmental shot that could easily be mistaken for a scene from Bloodborne’s Yharnam (you can see it below as well).

pic.twitter.com/NtZQeGVBB4

— FROMSOFTWARE／Kitao (@YasuhiroKitao) May 17, 2024

The giveaway that this is indeed Elden Ring is the spiral of Grace lights in the background, but the style is similar to Bloodborne. I’ve always said that Lies of P is the closest thing to Bloodborne since Bloodborne, but FromSoft is unmatched when it comes to Gothic darkness.

Without a caption from Kitao, all we have to go on is: hey look, a new area from Shadow of the Eritrea. But the lack of information has never stopped FromSoftware fans from speculating.

This area has the shadowy atmosphere down; I lightened the image manually to take a closer look. Judging from the architecture, I think this is one of the big legacy dungeons in the DLC. The lit hallways, the central throne, and the overall decor suggest a large castle-type dungeon.

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• Firaxis’ Jake Solomon Launches Midsummer Studios: XCOM Creator Heads to Life Sim Pastures
• Ubisoft Reveals Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Shinobi’s Dance in Feudal Japan

The main chamber of the Site of Grace looks almost like a cathedral, with impressive spires in the background. It’s hard to tell from the thin, dark points, but the elevated windows in the back indicate a multi-level environment.

My wildest theory is this: There are small statues of dragons or griffins along the columns on the right, and with the numerous hanging cages, one of which looks like something broke out of it, I wonder if we’ll encounter more flying enemies in this area. Just what I wanted: more Elden Ring birds.

Some people on the internet are upset about Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows because it features a Black man and a Japanese woman as the main characters. They claim the game is “woke” and not true to history, even though Yasuke, one of the characters, is a real historical figure.

This criticism is happening even though the series has always included fantastical elements like fighting mythical creatures and visiting Atlantis.

These critics are using thinly veiled racism, pretending to care about historical accuracy to justify their prejudices.

They are trying to stir up anger in their communities, similar to what happened with the game Stellar Blade. As soon as the key art for Shadows showed a person of color as the main character, the same backlash occurred.

Ubisoft Reveals Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Ubisoft has finally announced its long-awaited Assassin’s Creed game set in feudal Japan, called Shadows. It features two main characters: a ninja named Naoe and a samurai based on the historical Black samurai Yasuke.

When Assassin’s Creed Shadows was first announced, it felt like Ubisoft waited far too long to bring the franchise to Japan. But through its two excellent protagonists, it’s doing a great job forging its own identity.https://t.co/5pFgJgWx7E

— Trone L. Dowd (@theloniusly) May 16, 2024

While there’s a lack of Asian representation in Western games, it’s ironic and ridiculous that people are only now talking about needing an Asian protagonist because Assassin’s Creed Shadows stars a Black samurai.

This misses the bigger issue. I always support more Asian men in big games, but having another samurai hero isn’t the best way to get better representation.

Assassin’s Creed Doesn’t Care About Historical Accuracy

Assassin’s Creed has always featured outsiders and rebels from different backgrounds and has moved away from strict realism. It’s not meant to be a super realistic game, so using that argument to justify bigotry is wrong.

The reactions to Shadows on social media have been awful, even though it was just announced.

People of color expressing their excitement are facing blatant racism, hateful memes, and trolls saying they’re only excited because they can play as a character like themselves, ignoring the long history of diverse characters in games.

Much of the outrage comes from claims that Yasuke, a Black samurai, is historically inaccurate and that Ubisoft is pushing a political agenda. However, Assassin’s Creed has always included major and sometimes controversial historical figures in creative ways.

For example, Margaret Thatcher is depicted as a Templar in the series. Shadows isn’t changing history to be more progressive; it’s doing what the series has always done.

Yasuke has been featured in many books, films, shows, and anime, but only in a mainstream video game does his presence cause such outrage.

This shows how toxic and guarded the gaming community can be. Yasuke is a famous figure whose story has been adapted in many ways, and Ubisoft will likely mix fact and fiction in Shadows, as usual.

This is similar to how the game Like A Dragon: Ishin portrayed Sakamoto Ryoma as Kazuma Kiryu, bending the truth for spectacle while respecting history. Yasuke is treated differently because he is Black, which reveals ingrained prejudices.

We don’t know much about how Shadows will depict Japanese history or its feudal period. It may include folklore and alter history for its story, and there wouldn’t be such an uproar if the main character was of another race or from another country.

Japanese developers and players praised Ghost of Tsushima and other depictions of Yasuke without issue, showing that the problem lies with those using this as an excuse for outrage politics.

This situation is part of a larger pattern where people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other minorities face hatred in the gaming community.

It’s exhausting and worsening, but the controversy around Assassin’s Creed Shadows has no real substance. It’s just another Ubisoft open-world game set in a historical period with a mix of realism and fantasy elements.