Category: News

In a world filled with traditional first and third-person shooter games, top-down shooter games often get overlooked. These games might not have the most realistic graphics, but they are very fun in their way. One of the best things about these games is that you can see the entire environment around you and plan your strategy based on that.

What makes them even better is playing with friends in co-op mode, which adds to the fun and strategy. While there aren’t many great options, here are some of the best co-op top-down shooter games we’ve found.

6. Livelock

Livelock is a top-down game about saving humanity in a world full of mechs. Despite the common theme, it does a great job with its action-filled campaign. The game has a variety of enemies, including different bosses with unique strengths and weaknesses. It also features a great customization system and can be played in single-player or co-op mode.

5. Dead Nation Apocalypse Edition

No list of top-down games is complete without a zombie shooter, and Dead Nation is one of the best. The Apocalypse Edition offers even more zombies to fight and more weapons to use. The game focuses on surviving in a world full of zombies, with weapons like assault rifles, grenades, flamethrowers, and rocket launchers making the experience fun and exciting.

4. From Space

From Space is a newer game with a cartoonish top-down style where you kill pink aliens trying to take over the world. The storyline can be hit-or-miss, but the gameplay is very enjoyable. It also has a Horde mode where you survive waves of alien attacks alone or with friends. This game is best enjoyed in co-op mode as it’s not as fun solo.

3. Voidigo

Voidigo is a unique and creative roguelite game with a local co-op. It’s vibrant and colorful, with exciting gameplay. The game stands out with its wacky weapons, different bosses, and fun combat. Everything from the graphics to the movement and animation makes Voidigo a great game to try.

2. Helldivers 1

Helldivers 1 is a hardcore top-down game about protecting Super Earth from intergalactic enemies. It remains fun with various expansions and game modes. It’s a great choice if you want a cheaper alternative to Helldivers 2 or if you want to play with friends and defeat countless monsters.

1. God’s Trigger

God’s Trigger is a fast-paced, violent game where you cause as much destruction as possible with guns and swords. The game is fun because of mechanics like dodging enemy attacks and bullets quickly, making you feel like you’re in an action movie. The only downside is that it only supports local co-op gameplay.

Stay ahead of the gaming curve in 2024 with our curated list of 10 New Games to Play on Xbox Game Pass. 

The development of Baldur’s Gate 3 wasn’t completely free from crunch, according to a senior official at Larian Studios. However, the company managed to keep overtime work to a minimum compared to their previous projects.

Working overtime is common in many industries, but the gaming industry has a history of pushing this practice to the extreme.

The unpredictable nature of complex software development contributes to this, along with the fact that many people consider game development their dream job and are willing to tolerate inconveniences like crunching.

In recent years, there has been more public awareness and discussion about the gaming industry’s crunch culture. This has led to more companies being questioned about their development practices openly.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Dev Explains Crunch Issues

Larian Studios recently weighed in on the ongoing conversation about crunch in game development. CEO Swen Vincke confirmed that Baldur’s Gate 3, which received critical acclaim, required some overtime work to complete. Speaking at the Digital Dragons conference in Krakow, Vincke acknowledged that “a bit” of crunch was necessary due to the complexity of the RPG.

Vincke emphasized that Larian Studios learned from past projects, which helped them minimize the crunch for Baldur’s Gate 3 compared to previous games. He mentioned that Larian’s studios were usually “almost empty” after 8 pm and weekend work was very rare, mostly happening near the end of development.

The company also ended up cutting some content from Baldur’s Gate 3, such as additional maps and playable companions, which helped maintain normal working hours as deadlines approached.

Vincke believes that the intensity of work required for Baldur’s Gate 3 was minimal enough that some might not even consider it a crunch. He also mentioned that paid overtime helped make these extra hours more acceptable for employees.

Larian’s international network of studios played a role in minimizing the crunch, as there was always some part of the team in the office at any given time. Vincke highlighted that Larian recently opened its seventh studio in Warsaw, Poland, in May 2024, further committing to this distributed structure.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Reception and Impact

Vincke said that he and his employees didn’t work too much overtime, but they did have to work a little extra to finish Baldur’s Gate 3. They usually left work by 8 pm and only worked on weekends very rarely.

“I think, honestly, you will always have a little bit of overtime when you’re trying to finish something, especially when there’s so much complexity that needs to be brought together,” Vincke said.

Crunch is a controversial topic in the video game industry. Developers like CD Projekt Red, the studio behind Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher, have been criticized for making their employees work mandatory overtime.

The backlash was heard by the leaders of the studio, though, and they say that CD Projekt Red has stopped making their employees work that way.

XDefiant Factions have unique abilities you can use in combat, so picking the right one is important in Ubisoft’s FPS game. These abilities can help a lot, like healing your teammates, making you invisible, or setting an area on fire. Each Faction also has its special traits and characters to choose from, so there is a lot to learn.

Will you play as a stealthy Echelon operative, a supportive fighter from Libertad, or a flamethrower-wielding Cleaner? Here’s everything you need to know about each Faction in XDefiant.

Ubisoft’s XDefiant Now Available

Yes, Ubisoft’s XDefiant is currently available! It launched on May 21, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. They achieved a huge milestone reaching 1 million unique players within just a few hours of launch.

XDefiant is live NOW! Thank you to everyone for sticking with us on the road to launch, we’ll see you in the lobby 🙌

Still need to download? We’ve got you covered! 👇 https://t.co/N5WErlsvAV pic.twitter.com/D4GcvUvEHm

— XDefiant (@PlayXDefiant) May 21, 2024

XDefiant Factions

The four default XDefiant Factions vary a lot, with some being better in certain situations than others.

Choosing the right Faction for your playstyle and combining it with the best XDefiant weapons can boost your performance in matches. Here’s how we rank the Factions from best to worst:

Echelon: Echelon is excellent for aggressive players who like to sneak around and use spy abilities. Their wallhacks and Low Profile passive make them deadly in the right hands, although they’re not the easiest to play.

Phantoms: Phantoms are a solid defensive choice and are very easy for beginners to pick up. Their extra health from the Hardened passive and shield abilities make them great for playing around objectives.

Libertad: Libertad is another good choice for beginners with abilities focused on healing yourself and your team. They’re more supportive, which might not suit everyone, but you can still play aggressively with their healing abilities.

Cleaners: Cleaners are decent, but their abilities are more unusual, so there’s a learning curve. Their Incendiary Rounds passive isn’t the best, and their other abilities can be hit or miss depending on the situation. With practice, though, they can be effective despite their drawbacks.

Why XDefiant Skips PS4 and Xbox One?

In a post dated May 2, 2024, on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the official XDefiant account responded to a user’s question about the game’s release on the PS4. The reply stated, “We wanted to maintain a consistent standard of quality for the game, so we decided to focus on current-gen consoles.”

Last gen is being worked on
byu/dirtydirt33 inXDefiant

This news may disappoint players who still use last-generation consoles, especially since a developer had previously indicated on Discord in 2023 that a build of the game was actively being worked on, as noted in a Reddit post.

It makes sense, though, as more players are moving to current-generation consoles.

However, there are still several ways to play XDefiant, so continue reading to learn which platforms the game is available on.

On the last day of the BLAST R6 Major event in Manchester, Ubisoft shared all the details about the new season of Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, called Year 9 Season 2: Operation New Blood.

This season won’t have a new character to play, but Ubisoft has changed the Recruit character. The Recruit will now be called Striker (for attacking) and Sentry (for defending). There will also be updates to the gadgets used by the characters Fenrir and Solis.

The new season will introduce the full version of Siege’s marketplace, a new membership system, and other updates.

Here’s what you need to know about Operation New Blood!

Rainbow Six Siege Operation New Blood Announced

Rainbow Six Siege is a first-person tactical shooting game made by Ubisoft. The new update, Operation New Blood, will bring many changes, new characters, and new gadgets to the game.

Watch the Operation NEW BLOOD reveal, LIVE RIGHT NOW! 🍿https://t.co/q7A3z2vvlE

— Rainbow Six Siege (@Rainbow6Game) May 26, 2024

You can also watch the latest trailer to get some beginner tips for playing the game. Operation New Blood will be available soon on PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Striker and Sentry Coming in Operation New Blood

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege’s Recruit will be changed with the new update called Operation New Blood. Players can now use the Recruit as Striker (attacker) and Sentry (defender), each with two gadgets. Their guns have also been completely updated.

Starting in Year 9 Season 2, Striker and Sentry will have access to all the gadgets in the game and can mix and match them. The only rule is they can’t carry two of the same gadget.

For example, Sentry can’t have two C4s and Striker can’t have six stun grenades. This change gives players many new options, especially for Striker, who can now use gadgets like hard breaching charges and Impact EMPs.

Tips for Playing Striker in Rainbow Six Siege

Even though Striker is still a recruit, they are a versatile attacker. Here are some combinations you can use to make the most of Striker:

Hard Breaching Charges and Impact EMPs:
Using Hard Breaching Charges with Impact EMPs is a great combination. This allows Striker to disable electrified walls and hatches and then destroy them with the hard breaching charge. For example, Striker can be very effective against Kaid’s Electroclaws on Clubhouse’s Kitchen and Bar hatches.

Claymores and Breaching Charges:
Claymores can protect Striker while placing charges. This is especially useful on maps like Bank or Kafe, where Claymores are important for safety.

Stun Grenades and Smoke Grenades:
Using two types of grenades together is a good strategy. Striker can use these grenades to neutralize Jäger’s ADSs and Wamai’s disks, making it easier to attack.

If you want to read more articles about other games, check out Unicorn Overlord Release Date and Pacific Drive PS5 Release Date. 

There’s a perfect game genre for everyone. If you love solving mysteries and puzzles, you’ll enjoy puzzle games. These games include traditional brain teasers with numbers and riddles and some impressive first-person shooters with puzzles.

However, finding good puzzle games is becoming harder because most games these days are RPGs or adventure games. So, here’s a list of the best puzzle games on Steam that will keep you entertained for hours.

1. Portal 2

Anyone who hasn’t played a Portal game should try Portal 2. This sequel to the award-winning original puts you back under the control of GLaDOS, facing complex puzzles that need a good awareness of your surroundings to solve.

Using the portal gun, you move through the environment by creating round portals that let you pass through time and space. All the while, you follow an engaging sci-fi story about a funny yet evil AI that guides you.

2. Machinarium

Machinarium is a point-and-click puzzle game from 2009 that is still great today. The story is about a little robot named Josef who tries to save his girlfriend from a bad group called the Black Cap Brotherhood.

In the game, you explore a metal city with other robots where everything is rusty, dusty, and dirty. The beautiful art style and challenging puzzles make it a fun and engaging experience.

3. GNOG

GNOG is a 3D point-and-click puzzle game where you solve puzzle boxes that look like monster heads. Inspired by real toys, each box has colorful gadgets and gizmos you can play with to find the surprise inside.

After opening the toy, you need to solve the puzzle inside. The bright colors, beautiful music, and smooth animations make the game a treat for your eyes and ears, especially with VR support. The cozy feel of GNOG makes it perfect for relaxing before bed.

4. Dorfromantik

Dorfromantik started as a small game in early access and has become a beloved, simple puzzle game. It’s like the board game Carcassonne but in video game form. You place hexagonal tiles to create villages, forests, fields, and more.

If you enjoy cozy games, you’ll love Dorfromantik. It’s perfect to play with your morning coffee since there’s a natural stopping point; you’ll eventually run out of tiles unless you complete the quests on the map. The challenge is to keep going as long as possible and achieve a higher score.

5. Baba Is You

Instead of always following a game’s rules, Baba Is You lets you make the rules. Each level has words you can move to create sentences, which change how things in the game work.

This game can run on most PCs because of its simple pixel art style. However, Baba Is You is harder than it looks and needs you to think creatively and solve puzzles in unique ways.

6. The Room

If you can’t go to an escape room, The Room is a great alternative. It offers a well-designed and slightly creepy world where you solve complex puzzles. The game starts with a series of unsettling letters that lead you to an abandoned house with a strange safe in the attic, holding an ancient secret.

To open the safe, you need to explore your surroundings, pay close attention to details, and experiment with the house’s many alchemical machines. No other puzzle game has an atmosphere quite like this one.

7. The Talos Principle

Another fantastic sci-fi puzzle game, The Talos Principle, puts you in the shoes of an android exploring a world filled with ancient ruins and advanced technology. As you play, you’ll uncover the truth about yourself and humanity.

The game is packed with puzzles that involve manipulating time, controlling drones, and even using laser beams. Every decision you make has consequences, making the game exciting and unpredictable.

8. The Turing Test

Not all puzzle games have to be viewed from above, as shown by The Turing Test. It’s a stunning first-person shooter game that’s more about solving puzzles than surviving or going on adventures.

In this science fiction game, you play Ava Turing, an ISA astronaut who travels to Europe to find out what happened to its ground crew. When she arrives, Ava has to solve a puzzle that the crew left behind, with the help of the station’s AI, Tom.

9. Glass Masquerade

For a classic puzzle game, Glass Masquerade is an excellent choice. It features stunningly beautiful art deco-style clocks that you complete by solving jigsaw puzzles. The game adds a unique challenge with pieces that are oddly shaped and difficult to fit.

Glass Masquerade is straightforward to understand, but the complexity of the clock faces makes some puzzles quite challenging. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys traditional and challenging puzzles.

Our post on the 7 Best Top-Down RPGs On Steam delves into the rarest jewels. Keep up with the latest gaming trends in 2024 with our selected selection of 10 Games To Play If You Like Pacific Drive.

Neil Druckmann, the co-studio head of Naughty Dog, which created The Last of Us and Uncharted, has denied comments he was reported to have made in a recent Sony interview.

The interview, released with this week’s Corporate Strategy Meeting, quoted Druckmann as saying that Naughty Dog’s next big game could “redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.” However, Druckmann stated on Twitter that he never said anything like that.

Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann Responds to Sony Interview

Druckmann explained that Sony edited his “rambling answers” to the questions, causing “some of my words, context, and intent to be lost.” He shared his full answer on Twitter.

This is not quite what I said. A short 🧵 pic.twitter.com/IgjPm1MwaH

— Neil Druckmann (@Neil_Druckmann) May 25, 2024

In his complete response, Druckmann never actually says the sentence he was quoted as saying. The interview quoted him as saying: “I’m eager to see how this new game resonates, especially following the success of The Last of Us, as it could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.”

The closest he comes to that is after talking about the success of HBO’s The Last of Us and the Fallout TV show on Amazon Prime.

He says: “I think right now we’ve hit a tipping point where people realize ‘Oh my god, there are all these incredible experiences in games!’ So, I’m not only excited for this new game we’re making — and it’s something fresh for us — but I’m also excited to see how the world reacts to it.”

He continues: “Because of The Last of Us and the show’s success, even people outside of gaming are watching to see what we do next. I’m very excited to see the reaction to this new project — and I’ve already said too much. I’ll stop there.”

The new project at Naughty Dog is still a mystery, but we know they have at least two single-player games in the works after canceling The Last of Us Multiplayer. One of these might be The Last of Us 3, as Neil Druckmann mentioned he has a concept for it, but it is unlikely to be their next release.

Druckmann Teases New Naughty Dog Game: “Could Redefine Mainstream Perceptions of Gaming”

Druckmann’s comments have caused a lot of discussion online, especially in the video game community, where AI is a hot topic. Developers and gamers are worried about AI replacing things like voice acting and story design, but executives are pushing for it, saying it will change how games are made and save money.

In the same Sony series, Asad Qizilbash, head of PlayStation Productions and Product at PlayStation Studios, said AI in games is important for younger gamers who want everything to feel personalized.

“For example, non-player characters in games could interact with players based on their actions, making the game feel more personal,” Qizilbash said. “This is important for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who grew up with digital technology and want personalized experiences.”

Earlier this month, EA boss Andrew Wilson told investors that “more than 50% of our development processes will be positively impacted by advances in generative AI.”

Wilson, who oversees EA Sports FC, The Sims, and BioWare games, said AI will make game development “more efficient.” He mentioned that EA Sports FC developers can now create stadiums in six weeks instead of six months.

The Witcher voice actor Doug Cockle also expressed concern about AI in the gaming industry, calling it “inevitable” but “dangerous.” However, the biggest use of AI for voice acting so far has been by The Witcher studio CD Projekt Red, and this was only done to replace a deceased voice actor with permission from the family.

In March, Keywords Studios tried to create a game using only AI but failed because the technology couldn’t replace human talent.

“One key lesson was that while AI can speed up some processes, the best results can only be achieved by experts using AI as a powerful tool in their creative work,” Keywords said.

In the Druckmann interview, the Last of Us director hinted at Naughty Dog’s new game, saying it “could redefine mainstream perceptions of gaming.”

The next game in the DOOM first-person shooter series will be revealed at Xbox’s games showcase this June.

According to Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming, the new game will be called “DOOM: The Dark Ages” (it was previously called “Year Zero”) and is believed to have a medieval theme.

A New Doom Game Will Be Revealed in June

A new report suggests that the next big Doom game from Id Software and Bethesda will be announced soon. This game might not be a traditional sequel, but possibly a prequel showing the origins of the main character, the Doomslayer.

To expand upon the report with some additional information:

DOOM: The Dark Ages will be announced at the Xbox Games Showcase next month and will be revealed as a multiplatform release — Yes; it’s coming to PlayStation 5. https://t.co/7l0Zxb4vcN

— NateTheHate2 (@NateTheHate2) May 24, 2024

On May 24, Insider Gaming reported that the next Doom game is planned to be revealed at the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase on June 9.

They heard early details last year about this game, which is set in a “medieval-inspired Doom world.” The codename “Year Zero” and the title “Dark Ages” hint that this game could be a prequel or an origin story for the Doomslayer.

Last month, some people thought a small hint from Microsoft reporter Tom Warren indicated a new Doom game was in the works and would be announced at the June showcase. This makes sense since Doom Eternal was released four years ago, and Doom is one of Bethesda’s biggest franchises.

The big question is whether Doom: The Dark Ages will be an Xbox and PC-only release, like Starfield, or if it will also come to PlayStation 5. We will find out in June.

Possible Prequel Storyline for Doomslayer

According to Insider Gaming, Doom: The Dark Ages might look very different from Doom and Doom Eternal because it will be “medieval-inspired.” The title and its codename “Year Zero” suggest we will explore the Doom Slayer’s past and maybe his origins.

We won’t have to wait long to see the game if the rumors are true. It might be shown at the Xbox Showcase next month, on June 9.

This event will show what Xbox has planned for the rest of the year and beyond. It will also include a first look at Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which was confirmed this week after some mysterious hints.

DOOM: The Dark Ages Will Be Available on PlayStation

According to Nate’s report DOOM: The Dark Ages will be available on PlayStation, in addition to Xbox and Windows PC, possibly on the same release day.

A few years ago, Microsoft bought Zenimax, which includes id Software and the DOOM series. In my Xbox Games Showcase 2024 predictions, I mentioned that you might see Microsoft’s new multiplatform strategy, and this is part of it.

Some people might think Microsoft should make DOOM exclusive to Xbox, but id Software has always made games for multiple platforms. DOOM has always been on PlayStation, and it doesn’t make sense to stop that now.

The goal is to sell more games and subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass. DOOM: The Dark Ages will also be on Xbox Game Pass with other DOOM games.

You can expect a lot of marketing for DOOM: The Dark Ages to focus on Xbox, along with Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and other upcoming games. Some of these games will also be available on PlayStation. The Xbox Games Showcase 2024 will be on June 9th, 2024.

In a teaser video for the new game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” the faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore are shown with black blindfolds.

These blindfolds together spell out the words “The Truth Lies.” The game was announced on Thursday by the publisher, Activision.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Officially Announced

Activision has officially announced Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. It will be shown at Xbox’s showcase next month and will be available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. There’s no news yet about a Nintendo version or support for older systems.

For those asking, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

It’s not confirmed whether it’ll be on last-gen (PS4 + Xbox One) or Nintendo Switch yet.

Xbox signed a 10-year deal to keep COD on PlayStation and bring it to Nintendo. pic.twitter.com/IUyXb55lIQ

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 23, 2024

A new Nintendo console might be announced soon, and last year, Microsoft made a 10-year deal to bring Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. It’s not clear what this deal will mean yet, but Xbox wants Nintendo fans to feel fully included in the Call of Duty community.

More Details to Be Revealed at Xbox Games Showcase on June 9

This year’s Call of Duty game returns to the Black Ops series for the first time since 2020’s Black Ops: Cold War. The announcement was leaked early by a full-page ad in USA Today, which fans shared online before the official news.

A video called “Wake up (Rushmore) #thetruthlies” shows a team putting blindfolds on the faces of the presidents on Mount Rushmore at night. The blindfold on Lincoln’s face has a three-headed wolf emblem.

This emblem was also in the newspaper ad and appeared in the last game, Modern Warfare 3. An observant fan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the game might be set during the Gulf War.

Black Ops 6 set during the Gulf War, as rumored pic.twitter.com/GKZym5L2ZI

— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) May 23, 2024

There is no release date, pricing, or details about different editions of the game yet. Activision calls it a “dark new chapter” in the series. They will share more information at 10 a.m. PT (1 p.m. ET) on June 9 during an online Xbox Games Showcase, followed by a Black Ops 6 Direct broadcast.

The last Black Ops game took place in the early 1980s and was a direct sequel to the first Black Ops game. Like other Call of Duty games, it had a multiplayer mode with Zombies and a free-to-play battle royale game called Warzone.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Teaser

The Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 teaser trailer is called “Wake Up (Rushmore)” and gives a hint about the new Call of Duty game coming in 2024. The trailer shows live-action footage of Mount Rushmore being vandalized with the words “The Truth Lies.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is set to launch this year, with a planned release in late October 2024. There aren’t many details yet, but more information is expected at the Xbox showcase on June 9, 2024.

History of the Call of Duty Franchise

The Call of Duty series is growing. Microsoft’s Activision announced a new game, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, on Thursday, along with a teaser for this first-person shooter game.

No other details were shared yet, but the game developer says more information will come at the Xbox Games Showcase in June. After that, there will be a “Black Ops 6 Direct” presentation. Both events will be live-streamed.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the first new Call of Duty game since Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War came out in 2020. That game was made by Treyarch and Raven Software and published by Activision.

The first Call of Duty game was released in 2003 and was made by Infinity Ward. Since then, there have been many spin-offs and versions made by different developers, including Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games.

The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, which will start streaming at 10 a.m. PT on June 9, will be the first one after Microsoft merged with Activision Blizzard. It will feature news from Activision, Blizzard, Bethesda, and Xbox Game Studios, along with games from Microsoft’s partners.

The Xbox Games Showcase happens during the Summer Game Fest, a video game convention starting on June 7 in Los Angeles.

One of the main attractions of WoW Remix: Mists of Pandaria is the opportunity for players to acquire a large number of exclusive or previously unavailable mounts. There are a total of 43 mounts that you can add to your collection in MoP Remix, including those purchasable with Bronze.

Collecting all these mounts will require more than 500,000 Bronze, but earning Bronze efficiently can be somewhat tedious.

This guide explains how to obtain the new (or rather, returning) MoP Remix mounts and provides details on how much Bronze each mount costs, helping you plan your purchases accordingly.

WoW’s Mists of Pandaria Remix

World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria Remix has brought new excitement to WoW. For players getting ready for the next expansion, The War Within, set to release in Fall 2024, this new game mode is a great chance to revisit the Jade Forest once more. Some players are even using an old trick involving frogs to farm resources.

Blizzard Entertainment has recently added lots of new content to World of Warcraft, bringing attention back to the long-running MMORPG. In WoW Classic, players are eager for the launch of Cataclysm, looking forward to creating new Worgen and Goblin characters again.

For players in the regular version of the game, Blizzard introduced a new mode called WoW Remix.

Also Read:

• Kingdom Hearts is Coming to Steam: Get Your Keyblade Ready for June 13th!
• Elden Ring DLC Trailer: Descend into the Land of Shadow!

It brings players back to the Mists of Pandaria expansion, mixing up time and giving a fresh twist to the game. We talked to the WoW developers about what inspired this mode and why it feels a bit like Diablo mixed with WoW.

Now that players are back in the MoP expansion zones, they remember where to farm for resources.

In WoW Remix, enemies drop a new currency called Bronze, which can be used to upgrade gear and buy things. Some players have figured out the best spots to farm Bronze, similar to what players did when Mists of Pandaria first came out in 2011.

One popular method, called Frog Farming, involves going to the Timeless Isle and finding groups of frogs.

Players group them up and then kill them all in one spot to make them respawn quickly. This method helps players gather lots of Bronze without much effort. And don’t worry, no real frogs are harmed—it’s just a game!

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, this year’s great Metroidvania-style comeback of Ubisoft’s popular platform game series, has just received the second of three free updates announced earlier, adding a new Boss Rush mode and more.

After installing today’s update, players can access two new boss-related challenges through Artaban in The Haven. The first is Boss Revenge, allowing players to face previously defeated bosses again at any difficulty level, with a statistics board tracking their best attempts.

While Boss Revenge focuses on individual battles, there’s also the new Boss Rush mode. In this classic challenge, players must defeat all eight bosses in the game consecutively. To help with the challenge, players can change their equipped amulets and use Athra surges between each boss encounter.

Prince of Persia Boss Attack Update trailer

In addition to the boss-related content, today’s Lost Crown update introduces a new fast-travel system using wak-wak trees. There are also two new Sargon costumes, both unlocked through the Boss Rush mode.

The second FREE UPDATE Boss Attack is here!

Replay against defeated bosses in Boss Revenge 💥
Battle all bosses in succession in Boss Rush 💨
2 new outfits for Sargon 👕

What is your favorite Boss? Let us know in the comments! pic.twitter.com/wvgwiBTfan

— Prince of Persia™ (@princeofpersia) May 20, 2024

One costume is based on the Prince’s outfit from Ubisoft’s 2008 reboot, and the other shows Sargon with most of his clothes missing, according to the render provided.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s Boss Attack update, as Ubisoft officially calls it, launches today on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

This is the second of three free updates that were previously announced, following the Warrior’s Path DLC in March, which added a Speedrun and Permadeath mode.

Next up is Divine Trials, which will introduce new combat, platforming, and puzzle challenges, along with new amulets and Sargon outfits.

It’s expected to be released sometime this summer. Following that will be a paid story expansion coming later this year.

Stellar Blade studio Shift Up is thinking about making a sequel to their action RPG and also releasing it on PC.

This news comes from a recent announcement in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, where Shift Up said they are “considering a PC version of Stellar Blade and a sequel.”

Stellar Blade was released as a PS5 exclusive at the end of last month, but Shift Up isn’t owned by Sony. Recently, we found out the studio is also making a “cross-platform next-gen” game that might come out in 2027 or later. Now, it seems Stellar Blade might be released on other platforms too, not just PS5.

Stellar Blade is Coming to PC

Based on Sony’s typical release schedule, we expect Stellar Blade to come to PC sometime between the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025.

Right now, there hasn’t been an official confirmation that Stellar Blade will be released on PC, although Shift Up has mentioned they are considering making a PC version.

Stellar Blade might end up coming to PC. https://t.co/ffBTiRuKSM pic.twitter.com/Na76lyz8iX

— WWG (@WWG) May 21, 2024

Even though the CEO of Shift Up mentioned a PC port and a sequel in a recent interview, there’s no guarantee that Stellar Blade will come to PC.

Sony has already brought some of their PlayStation exclusive games to PC this year, like Helldivers 2, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition, and Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut. Until Dawn is also set to release sometime this year, possibly on Steam and the Epic Game Store.

Usually, there’s about a two-year gap between when Sony releases their first-party games on PS5 and when they release them on PC. However, games published by Sony, such as Helldivers 2, have come to PC as soon as one year after their initial launch.

It’s important to note that Sony doesn’t have any plans to release new first-party games this fiscal year. They may try to make up for this by focusing on their multiplatform strategy, releasing PS5-exclusive games like Stellar Blade and God of War Ragnarok on PC.

That’s all the information we have about whether Stellar Blade will be released on PC. Don’t forget to read our impressions of Stellar Blade to see what we thought about Shift Up’s first game for consoles. We also have a list of upcoming PC games if you’re curious about what’s coming out later this year.

A Kingdom Hearts fan waited three years to buy the RPG series on the Epic Games Store, only to give in just five days before the games were released on Steam.

Square Enix’s Disney-themed RPG series first came to PC in 2021 and was only available on the Epic Games Store until now. Some fans, like the one in the story, didn’t want to buy the games until they were available on Steam. Last week, on May 16, this fan finally gave up and bought all the games on the Epic Games Store.

The fan said, “I give up. I can’t take it anymore. I’m buying Kingdom Hearts on EGS. You owe me when they confirm it for Steam in like three days.”

I give up. I can’t take it anymore. I’m buying Kingdom Hearts on EGS. You owe me when they confirm it for Steam in like three days.

— Derek (@Dynamite_Derek) May 16, 2024

Kingdom Hearts is Coming to Steam

I’ve been thinking a lot lately… Should I replay the Kingdom Hearts series or not? Square Enix made this decision easy by announcing that the series will be released on Steam on June 13th.

To celebrate and bring back memories for long-time fans like me, they released a trailer with a new recording of Hikaru Utada’s “Simple and Clean.”

The Kingdom Hearts Steam pages are live!

Wishlist now and get ready for launch on June 13th.

1.5+2.5: https://t.co/Qc7gMW1S2j
2.8: https://t.co/EVdN3M5vaE
3: https://t.co/vhwP9WNiTH pic.twitter.com/oZCbt3Vf2R

— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) May 21, 2024

The trailer is smart, showing clips of the Kingdom Hearts games in order, reminding old fans and new players how to play them.

On Steam, there will be three main Kingdom Hearts collections: Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC. There’s also a bundle called Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece, which includes all three collections for one price.

If you buy Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind DLC, you get a special keyblade called “Dead of Night” in Steam Logo blue and grey. Each collection includes several games from different platforms and consoles. You can see which games are in each collection on their Steam pages.

Kingdom Hearts coming to Steam isn’t surprising. The games have been on the Epic Games Store for a few years, so Steam is the next step.

Square Enix plans to release more games on more platforms. For over 20 years, Kingdom Hearts has mostly been on PlayStation, with some games on Nintendo DS. In 2020, Kingdom Hearts came to Xbox, and in 2022, Nintendo released cloud versions of the games.

These games are coming to Steam just a week before Summer Game Fest, where there might be news about Kingdom Hearts IV. Getting new players into the series before announcing more about the next game is a smart move.

Also Read:

• XDefiant Suffers Server Issues: Launch Day Blues for Free-to-Play FPS
• Genshin Impact Natlan Leaks: Dragons, Deserts, and a New Archon – Unveiling the Land of Fire

It’s funny that the Steam trailer shows the games in order, but the collections aren’t bundled that way. To play in the order shown, you need to watch the movie Back Cover in Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8, then play Birth By Sleep in Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5, and then go back to Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 to play Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage. It’s a bit complicated!

Hikaru Utada’s new version of “Simple and Clean” brought me to tears. As a teenager, I loved Japanese pop and rock music more than Disney.

Hearing this new version of a beloved song made me feel both young and old but in a good way. Playing these games again, I hope to relive the emotions and memories that led me to my job today and remember the joy and comfort these games brought me.

Is XDefiant not working? Ubisoft’s new shooter, featuring groups from its other games, is now out. You might be excited to start playing but can’t connect. If you’re having trouble, you might wonder if the problem is with Ubisoft or your connection.

Is XDefiant Down?

XDefiant servers are very busy right now, so you might see error messages saying it can’t find a match. If you keep trying, it should eventually work.

If you see the message “Ubisoft services are temporarily unavailable. Please try again later” before the game opens, try refreshing the Ubisoft Connect client.

When a popular new game like XDefiant launches, server problems are normal in the first few hours. The XDefiant status page on Ubisoft’s help site shows no major issues, so it’s probably just too many people trying to play at once.

Update: We are seeing progress on the matchmaking servers. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated.

— XDefiant (@PlayXDefiant) May 21, 2024

The XDefiant Twitter account said Ubisoft is looking into the matchmaking server problems after many reports. They know about the issue and are working on it.

While you wait, you can try some other great FPS games or other multiplayer games we recommend if you’re frustrated with XDefiant right now.

XDefiant Suffers Server Issues

Launching a new online game is tough, as many people know. XDefiant is now facing problems like Diablo 3 did when it launched. Many players are having trouble with matchmaking. You can log into the game, but finding someone to play with is the issue.

It’s normal to expect some problems on the first day of a game launch. Most FPS game fans know there might be issues at the start. Since XDefiant had alpha and beta tests, some people thought the launch would go more smoothly.

We’re aware that some players are unable to join a game- please bear with us while we look into servers and matchmaking!

— XDefiant (@PlayXDefiant) May 21, 2024

The main problem with XDefiant is the matchmaking. Trying to join a match gives an error message saying “Unable to Find Match.” Some players can get into games, but it’s not consistent. Also, the Practice Zone isn’t live, so you can’t practice while waiting.

Ubisoft is working on fixing the problem. They posted on Twitter, saying, “We’re aware that some players are unable to join a game- please bear with us while we look into servers and matchmaking. We are all focused on the matchmaking issue and are continuously investigating. We will continue to provide updates as soon as possible.”

Most fans are not too angry yet, just a bit frustrated or joking about the situation on social media. It’s unclear how long this issue will last. If you want to try getting into the game, you can go to the XDefiant site to download it.

Street Fighter 6 came out almost a year ago, and now it’s getting its biggest update yet. Capcom just shared the patch notes for the Akuma and Season 2 update, which fans have been waiting for.

In this update, all 21 characters are being changed. Some are getting stronger (buffs), some are getting weaker (nerfs), and some are getting new moves.

Also, game mechanics like wakeup Drive Reversal and Drive Parry are being changed. New features are being added too, like Character BGM Settings and an in-game music shop.

Street Fighter 6 Akuma and Season 2 Patch Notes

Balance changes and patch notes have now been published on Buckler’s Boot Camp!

Take a look at how each character has been changed with the latest Akuma Update.https://t.co/BaUsBvcPju

— Street Fighter (@StreetFighter) May 22, 2024

Universal Changes

Input Recognition – Adjustment

The Input Recognition Frame, which is the number of frames within which you must press the attack button after a special move command is inputted in order for the game to recognize you are performing a special move, has been adjusted per command.

1. For ↓↘→ or ↓↙← commands while standing on the ground, the Input Recognition Frame has been changed from 11 to 9 frames.

This means the attack button must be pressed within 9 frames of the final forward or back command being input for it to be recognized and have the special move be performed.

For ↓↘→ or ↓↙← commands while in the air, the Input Recognition Frame remains at 11 frames.

2. For ←↙↓↘→ or →↘↓↙← commands, the Input Recognition Frame has been changed from 12 frames to 9 frames.

Mid-air ↓↘→ and ↓↙← Command Moves – Adjustment

Considering the fastest possible input necessary for instant aerial commands, the input difficulty has been eased slightly, and ↓↙← + K commands can now be performed using any downward direction (↙ or ↓ or ↘) followed by ↙← + K.

↓↓ Button Commands – Adjustment

If Medium Punch+Medium Kick are input between a double Down tap, no command will be performed.

This adjustment was made so that if you immediately double tap Down after a Cancel Drive Rush from a crouching attack, a double Down command move will not be performed by accident.

Jump Landing Hurtboxes – Adjustment

The following characters have had their hurtbox while landing from a jump moved upwards to match other characters, as it was previously lower and caused unanticipated attacks to hit them: Chun-Li, Dhalsim, Lily, A.K.I.

Stun Timing Adjustments – Bug Fix

Fixed an issue where if an opponent in Burnout blocks a Drive Impact a certain distance away from the corner of the screen, and the player performs a technique just before stun occurs, no combo scaling would be applied on the combo after the stun.

Drive Parry – Adjustment

1. Throw hurtbox has been expanded while the technique is being performed.
2. Hurtbox from the 3rd frame and later has been expanded
3. The shortest possible active parry hitbox time has changed from 8 frames to 12 frames.
4. Recovery after the active frames has changed from 29 frames to 33 frames.
5. After absorbing an attack, the time until the Drive Gauge starts to auto regenerate has changed from 60 frames to 20 frames.

Perfect Parry – Adjustment

The overall gauge fluctuation from a counter attack after a Perfect Parry has been reduced. This adjustment is not just for the first attack, but affects all attacks until the combo ends.

1. Super Art gauge increase has changed from 100% to 80% for both the attacker and damage-taker.
2. Drive gauge increase for the attacker has changed from 100% to 50%
3. Drive gauge decrease for the damage-taker has changed from 100% to 50%

A.K.I.

Assisted Combo 2 – Adjustment
Combo during Burnout has changed to the following.
Standing Medium Punch > Nightshade Pulse > Nightshade Chaser

Assisted Combo 3 – Adjustment
Combo has changed to the following.
– Basic: Standing Heavy Kick > Overdrive Serpent Lash > Standing Light Kick > Toxic Wreath > Claws of Ya Zi
– During Burnout Standing Light Kick > Light Serpent Lash > Claws of Ya Zi

Gluttony (Backwards Throw) – Universal Adjustment
Distance increased between characters when the opponent is thrown into the corner.

Standing Medium Punch – Adjustment
Hurtbox around the arms during the active frames reduced.

Standing Heavy Punch – Adjustment
1. Cancel window into Target Combo delayed by 1 frame.
2. Disadvantage on block changed from -5 to -4 frames.
3. Attack hitbox expanded downward.

Standing Light Kick – Adjustment
1. Attack startup changed from 5 to 4 frames.
2. Recovery changed from 11 to 12 frames.
3. Advantage on hit changed from +4 to +3 frames.
4. Disadvantage on block changed from -2 to -3 frames.

Standing Medium Kick – Adjustment
1. Attack startup changed from 9 to 8 frames.
2. Overall technique length changed from 28 to 27 frames.
3. Pushback on hit reduced.

Standing Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. Hurtbox around the front of the feet during the 1st active frame reduced.
2. Made the hurtbox around the torso anti-air invincible from the 2nd active frame until the end of the active frames.

Crouching Medium Punch – Adjustment
Recovery when the attack misses changed from 21 to 18 frames, and recovery on block and hit unified.

Crouching Medium Kick – Adjustment
1. Advantage on hit changed from +4 to +5 frames.
2. Advantage on block changed from -3 to +1 frames.

Crouching Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. Active frames changed from 5 to 6 frames.
2. Recovery changed from 21 to 20 frames.
3. Hurtbox on the front of the feet reduced.
4. Movement distance back and forth during the technique increased.
Note: Position when the technique ends has not change.
5. Horizontal blowback on Punish Counter reduced.

Jumping Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. Active frames changed from 5 to 8 frames.
2. Hurtbox added during recovery to match visual.

Hun Dun (Light Punch > Light Punch) – Adjustment
Advantage on hit changed from ±0 to +1 frames.

Light Serpent Lash (QCF + Light Punch) – Adjustment
1. Attack hitbox expanded forward.
2. The horizontal blowback on hit during Toxic Blossom is reduced.
3. Hit effect on Punish Counter changed to backwards crumple, regardless of whether the opponent is in a normal state or Toxic Blossom has been triggered.
Note: If Toxic Blossom is triggered, the window for a possible follow-up attack is longer.

Heavy Serpent Lash (QCF + Heavy Punch) – Adjustment
1. The timing for when the hurtbox around the head is reduced changed from the 6th frame to the 4th frame.
2. Input buffer now allowed starting from 10 frames before recovery ends.

Overdrive Serpent Lash (QCF + Two Punches) – Bug Fix
During a mid-air combo, the second attack would sometimes miss if the opposite was at a high enough elevation, so the attack hitbox for the second attack has been expanded upward.

Normal Nightshade Pulse (QCF + Light Punch) – Adjustment
Can now be canceled into Overdrive Snake Step from the 36th frame of the technique until the end of the recovery frames.

Overdrive Nightshade Chaser (QCB + Two Punches > + Punch) – Adjustment
Hit effect when the opponent is not in the air changed from knockback to blowback knockdown.

Toxic Wreath (QCB + Heavy Punch) – Adjustment
1. Damage distribution changed from 400+400 to 200+600.
2. Second attack’s active frames changed from 7 to 9 frames.

Normal Cruel Fate (QBC + Kick) – Adjustment
1. Can be canceled into Super Art level 3/Critical Art after landing on either hit or block.
2. Pushback on block of the heavy version increased.

Overdrive Cruel Fate (QCB + Two Kicks) – Adjustment
1. Can be canceled into Super Art level 3/Critical Art after landing on either hit or block when the hit throw version is not triggered.
2. Second attack’s hitbox expanded downward.

Venomous Fang (Down + Two Punches > Punch) – Adjustment
Projectile invincibility extended until the end of the attack’s active frames.

Heel Strike (Down + Two Punches > Kick) – Adjustment
1. First attack’s hitbox expanded forward.
2. Added an attack hitbox to the second attack that is only used when the opponent is in a combo, allowing players to string together combos more easily.

Entrapment (Down + Two Punches > Light Punch + Light Kick) – Adjustment
Removed immediate scaling.

Light Snake Step (QCF + Light Kick) – Adjustment
Technique now moves backwards.

SA1 Deadly Implication – Adjustment / Bug Fix
1. Expanded attack hitbox.
2. The 1st frame of the technique was completely invincible, and this has been changed to be only strike and throw invincible.
3. Fixed an issue that caused attacks after the first attack hits to miss in certain situations.

SA2 Tainted Talons – Adjustment
Changed final attack damage from 800 to 1000.

Dhalsim

Assisted Combo 2 – Adjustment
Combo changed to the following during Burnout.
Divine Kick > Medium Yoga Flame

Assisted Combo 3 – Adjustment
Combo changed to the following during Burnout.
Standing Heavy Kick > Heavy Yoga Fire > Merciless Yoga

Drive Reversal – Adjustment
1. The first attack’s hit effect changed from a knockback to a blowback knockdown.
2. Advantage on hit changed from 23 to 24 frames.

Standing Medium Kick – Adjustment
Hurtbox around the feet on frame 30 reduced.

Standing Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. Advantage on hit changed from +1 to +3.
2. Pushback on hit reduced.

Crouching Medium Kick – Adjustment
1. Damage reaction from the 8th active frame and after has been changed.
Note: This was done so that it’s easier to understand when Dhalsim is at a +4 frame advantage or more.
2. Pushback on hit reduced.

Yoga Mummy (↓ + Light Punch, during a jump) – Adjustment
1. Mid-air hit effect changed from mid-air recovery to blowback knockdown.
2. Combo count upper limit increased.

Agile Kick (↙ + Light Kick) – Adjustment
Upward attack hitbox reduced.
Note: This adjustment was made so that this attack doesn’t hit opponents using an attack with invincibility around the feet.

Normal Charged Yoga Fire (↓↘→ + Punch) – Adjustment
1. Attack start up changed from 45 to 43 frames.
2. Overall technique length changed from 77 to 73 frames.
Note: Recovery on block has not changed.

Overdrive Yoga Blast (→↘↓↙← + Two Kicks) – Adjustment
1. Initial scaling removed.
2. Combo count additional value reduced.

Overdrive Yoga Comet (→↘↓↙← + Two Punches, during a jump) – Adjustment
Projectile no longer disappears before it hits the ground.

SA2 Yoga Sunburst – Adjustment
1. Increased the amount of chip damage sustained while in Burnout according to power level.
Level 1: 750
Level 2: 850
Level 3: 950
2. While using Modern or Dynamic controls, the trajectory of the projectile can be changed via directional input after the move is performed.

SA3/CA Merciless Yoga – Adjustment
Attack startup is faster only when canceling from Yoga Flame.

Jamie

Assisted Combo 2 – Adjustment
1. At Drink level 4 Overdrive Freeflow Strikes > The Devil’s Song cancel timing is hard set to the 2nd attack.
2. Combo has now changed to the following.
– Basic
Standing Medium Kick > Overdrive Freeflow Strikes > The Devil’s Song > Senei Kick > Ransui Haze > Medium Swagger Step > Swagger Hermit Punch
– Super Art gauge is less than 2 bars
Standing Medium Kick > Overdrive Freeflow Strikes 1 > Overdrive Freeflow Strikes 2 > Overdrive Freeflow Strikes 3
– During Burnout
Standing Medium Kick > Heavy Freeflow Strikes 1 > Freeflow Strikes 2 > Freeflow Strikes 3

Assisted Combo 3 – Adjustment
Combo has now changed to the following during Burnout.
Standing Heavy Kick > Medium Swagger Step > Getsuga Saiho

Wheel Punch (Backward Throw) – Universal Adjustment
Distance increased between characters when the opponent is thrown into the corner.

Standing Medium Punch – Adjustment
Advantage on block changed from +1 to +2.

Standing Medium Kick – Adjustment
Advantage on hit changed from +1 to +2.

Crouching Medium Punch – Adjustment
1. Advantage on hit changed from +3 to +5.
2. Advantage on block changed from ±0 to -1.

Crouching Medium Kick – Adjustment
Hurtbox on the feet expanded upwards between frames 18 – 27 only when the attack misses.

Crouching Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. When the first attack is blocked, the second attack changes to a high attack.
2. Recovery changed from 28 to 29 frames when the attack is blocked.
3. Disadvantage on block changed from -10 to -11.
4. Reduced combo count additional value for the first attack.

Jumping Heavy Kick – Adjustment
Hurtbox present around the feet on the last frame of start-up removed.

Tensei Kick (↓ + Two Kicks) – Bug Fix
Fixed an issue where Luminous Dive Kick could not be performed using simple inputs after a jump cancel when The Devil’s Song was active during Drink level 1 – 3 while using Modern controls.

Drink Level 4 Hermit’s Elbow (← + Heavy Punch) – Adjustment Pushback reduced.

Falling Star Kick (→ + Medium Kick) – Adjustment
1. Cancel window for Full Moon Kick extended by 1 frame.
2. Added 1 frame of hitstop and blockstun.

Bitter Strikes (Light Punch > Light Kick > Medium Punch) – Adjustment
1. Expanded the first attack’s hitbox forward.
2. The cancel timing when using a Drive Rush on the second attack is now 1 frame earlier.
3. 2 frames of recovery added to the defender on block for the second attack.
4. Recovery when only the second attack is blocked changed from 21 to 23 frames.
Note: Advantage on block has not changed.

Immediate Ransui Haze (→ + Heavy Kick > ← + Heavy Kick > Heavy Punch) – Adjustment
1. Damage changed from 700 to 850.
2. Combo scaling of 20% added.
3. Start-up changed from 17 to 15 frames.
4. Total technique frame length changed from 48 to 46 frames.
5. Extended Ransui Haze buffer input grace period.

Drink Level 0-3 Normal Freeflow Strikes (↓↘→ + Punch > → + Punch > → + Punch) – Adjustment
1. Drive gauge increase from the three attacks changed from 700 to 1500.
2. Drive gauge decrease when blocking the three attacks changed from 1500 to 2500.
3. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Drink Level 4 Normal Freeflow Strikes (↓↘→ + Punch > → + Punch > → + Punch) – Adjustment
1. Hitbox for the 1st hit of the first attack expanded forward.
2. Drive gauge increase for the first attack changed from 1400 (700×2) to 3000 (1500×2).
3. Drive gauge increase for the second attack changed from 1400 (700×2) to 1000 (500×2).
4. Drive gauge increase for the third attack changed from 2100 (700×3) to 1500 (500×3).
5. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Drink Level 4 Medium/Heavy Freeflow Strikes (↓↘→ + Medium/Heavy Punch > → + Punch > → + Punch) – Bug Fix
Fixed an issue where the input buffer starting frame for the next attack differed from other strengths.

Drink Level 0-3 Overdrive Freeflow Strikes (↓↘→ + Two Punches > → + Punch > → + Punch) – Adjustment
1. Advantage when the first attack hits changed from ±0 to +1.
2. Drive gauge reduction when blocking the three attacks changed from 1500 to 2500.
3. Hits after the second attack are no longer subject to combo scaling.
4. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Drink Level 4 Overdrive Freeflow Strikes (↓↘→ + Two Punches > → + Punch > → + Punch) – Adjustment
1. Hitbox for the 1st hit of the first attack expanded forward.
2. Hits after the second attack are no longer subject to combo scaling.
3. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Normal Freeflow Kicks (↓↘→ + Punch > → + Kick > → + Kick) – Adjustment
1. Drive gauge increase for the second and third attack increased from 700 to 1000.
2. Drive gauge reduction when blocking the three attacks changed from 1500 to 2500.
3. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Overdrive Freeflow Kicks (↓↘→ + Two Punches > → + Kick > → + Kick) – Adjustment
1. Drive gauge reduction when blocking the three attacks changed from 1500 to 2500.
2. Input buffer start period when going to the third attack changed from frame 2 to frame 7.
– Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed after the second attack if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

Heavy Swagger Step (↓↙← + Heavy Punch) – Adjustment
1. Recovery changed from 17 to 16 frames.
2. Disadvantage on block changed from -5 to -3 frames.
3. Increased knockdown time by 2 frames on hit.

Overdrive Swagger Step (↓↙← + Two Punches) – Adjustment
Increased knockdown time by 3 frames when attack hits a mid-air opponent.

Light Arrow Kick (→↓↘ + Light Kick) – Adjustment
1. Initial scaling of 30% added.
2. Start-up changed from 6 to 5 frames.
3. Transition attack hitbox after initial hit expanded forward.

Normal/Overdrive Luminous Dive Kick (↓↙← + Kick/Two Kicks during a forward jump) – Adjustment
1. Pushback on block reduced.
2. Hurtbox around the feet now comes out on the 6th frame of the technique instead of the 10th.
3. Reduced the hurtbox around the feet from the 13th frame of the technique.

Normal/Overdrive Bakkai (↓↘→ + Kick/Two Kicks) – Adjustment
Projectile invincibility has been extended until the final attack’s active frames are finished.

Normal Tenshin (→↘↓↙← + Kick) – Bug Fix
Fixed an issue where the internal combo count starting value would be added even though the opponent was standing on the ground after the hit.

Overdrive Tenshin (→↘↓↙← + Two Kicks) – Adjustment
1. Removed Immediate Scaling.
2. Added Intial Scaling of 30%
Note: Tweaked the attack so that combo scaling is applied from the first follow-up attack.

Normal/Overdrive Swagger Hermit Punch (↓↙← + Punch/Two Punches > → + Punch) – Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed if Medium or Heavy Kick are pressed at the same time.

SA1 Breakin’ – Adjustment / Bug Fix
1. Start-up changed from 10 to 8 frames.
2. Added a new hitbox from frames 8 – 10 of the technique.
3. Attack hitbox for the first and second attack that is only applied when an opponent is in a combo has been expanded.
4. Reduced forward movement when the screen darkens, and increased forward movement after the screen transition is over.
5. The 1st frame of the technique was completely invincible, and this has been changed to be only strike and throw invincible.

SA3/CA Getsuga Saiho – Adjustment
Collision pushbox at the beginning of the technique has been expanded upwards, making it more difficult for Jamie to pass underneath airborne opponents.

Luke

Assisted Combo 1 – Adjustment
Combo has now changed to the following.
– When Super Art gauge is empty
Crouching Light Kick > Crouching Light Punch > Overdrive Flash Knuckle > Medium Rising Uppercut
– During Burnout
Crouching Light Kick > Crouching Light Punch > Light Flash Knuckle

Assisted Combo 2 – Adjustment
1. Changed so that Overdrive Flash Knuckle cancels into Super Art 2 from the second hit.
2. Combo has now changed to the following.
– When Super Art gauge is less than 2 bars
Crouching Medium Punch > Overdrive Flash Knuckle > Medium Rising Uppercut
– During Burnout
Crouching Medium Punch > Light Flash Knuckle

Assisted Combo 3 – Adjustment
Combo has now changed to the following.
– When Super Art gauge is full
Standing Heavy Punch > Overdrive Sand Blast > Pale Rider
– When Super Art gauge is less than 3 bars
Standing Heavy Punch > Overdrive Sand Blast > Fatal Shot
– During Burnout when Super Art gauge is full
Standing Heavy Punch > Medium Sand Blast > Pale Rider

Standing Medium Kick – Adjustment
1. Start up changed from 7 to 8 frames.
2. Recovery changed from 20 to 19 frames.

Standing Heavy Punch – Adjustment
1. Advantage on hit changed from -1 to +1 frame.
2. Collision pushbox on hit has been expanded upward.
Note: This adjustment has been made to make it more difficult for Luke to swap sides when hitting an opponent in the air.

Standing Heavy Kick – Adjustment
1. Active frames changed from 6 to 7 frames.
2. Recovery changed from 17 to 16 frames.
3. Forward attack hitbox reduced during active frames 1 – 2.
4. Camera shake added if the attack is blocked on the final active frame.
Note: This was added to make it easier to understand when Luke has an advantage.

Crouching Light Punch – Adjustment
Forward attack hitbox reduced.

Crouching Medium Punch – Adjustment
1. Initial scaling of 15% added.
2. Forward attack hitbox reduced.

Crouching Medium Kick – Adjustment
The body hurtbox has been expanded forward during frames 19 – 29, only for when the attack misses.

Crouching Heavy Punch – Adjustment
1. Combo scaling changed from 10% to 15%
2. Attack hitbox reduced to make it harder to hit opponents directly above Luke.
3. Attack hitbox on the 1st active frame has been expanded forward.
4. Upper body hurtbox during frames 7 – 8 of the technique has been expanded.
5. The central axis of the character now moves according to the visual appearance of the technique.
Note: There may be some side effects to this, such as Luke moving forward slightly when canceling into a special move, or finding himself more susceptible to cross-ups.

Jumping Heavy Punch – Adjustment
Hurtbox has been expanded downward from the 9th frame of the technique.
Note: This expanded hurtbox is invincible to projectiles.

Jumping Heavy Kick – Adjustment
Hurtbox has been expanded downward from the 10th frame of the technique.
Note: This expanded hurtbox is invincible to projectiles.

Outlaw Kick (← + Heavy Kick) – Adjustment
1. Advantage on Punish Counter has changed from 19 to 17 frames.
2. Pushback on Punish Counter has been increased.

Nose Breaker (Crouching Medium Kick > ↓ + Heavy Punch) – Universal Adjustment
When using Classic controls, pressing Heavy Kick at the same time will cause the second attack to not come out.

Fatal Shot (↓↘→ + Two Punches > Two Punches) – Adjustment
1. Damage changed from 700 to 1000.
2. Super Art gauge increase changed from 400 to 1000.
3. Drive gauge decrease changed from 2000 to 7000 on Punish Counter.

Medium Flash Knuckle (↓↙← + Medium Punch) – Adjustment
Pressing the button rapidly after this attack is performed will make it harder for the hold button version to be performed by accident.

Charged Medium Flash Knuckle (↓↙← + Medium Punch (Hold)) – Adjustment
Reduced recovery by 4 frames when this attack hits super armor.

Perfect/Charged Heavy Flash Knuckle (↓↙← + Heavy Punch (Hold)) – Adjustment
Increased knockdown time by 1 frame on hit.

Overdrive Flash Knuckle (↓↙← + Two Punches) – Adjustment
Increased knockdown time by 10 frames on hit.

DDT (↓↙← + Two Punches > Two Punches) – Adjustment
1. Damage changed from 2000 to 2500.
2. Super Art gauge increase changed from 1500 to 3000.

Normal/Overdrive No Chaser (↓↘→ + Kick/Two Kicks > Punch) – Adjustment
1. Active frames changed from 7 to 10 frames.
2. Recovery changed from 19 to 16 frames.

SA3/CA Pale Rider – Adjustment
1. Attack hitbox during a combo on an opponent has been expanded upward.
2. Invincibility no longer extends when performing the attack from long range.

Rashid

Modern Controls – Adjustment
Changed the move performed with Jumping Light Attack from Jumping Light Kick to Jumping Light Punch.

Assisted Combo 2 – Adjustment
Combo changed to the following during Burnout.
Rising Kick > Heavy Arabian Cyclone > Rolling Assault

Sunset Drop (Backwards Throw) – Universal Adjustment
1. Increased distance after hit.
2. Increased Rashid’s recovery by 3 frames after hit.
3. Changed input buffer time from 5 to 8 frames.

Drive Impact – Bug Fix
Fixed an issue where the hurtbox before and after absorbing an attack with super armor was different.

Arabian Skyhigh Version Jumping Heavy Kick – Bug Fix
Fixed an issue where Rashid would be invincible after hitting a mid-air opponent with this attack.

Arabian Skyhigh Version Blitz Strike (? + Light Punch, during a jump) – Adjustment
Reduced combo count’s additional value.

Run (Forward, hold Forward) – Adjustment
Changed transition timing for Backup and Tempest Moon to be 2 frames faster.

Backup (Forward + Punch, during Run) – Adjustment
1. Will now hit mid-air opponents.
2. Second attack can be canceled into a Super Art.
3. Reduced combo count additional value.

Tempest Moon (Forward + Kick, during Run) – Adjustment
Can now be canceled into a Super Art.

Rising Kick (Medium Punch > Heavy Kick) – Universal Adjustment
When using Classic controls, pressing Heavy Punch at the same time as the second input will cause the second attack to not come out.

Air Current Boosted Light Spinning Mixer (QCF + Light Punch) – Bug Fix
Removed anti-air invincibility from frames 3 – 5 of the technique.

Normal/Air Current Boosted Light Eagle Spike (QCB + Light Kick) – Adjustment
Attack can now be canceled into Super Art level 3 when landing back on the ground, but only on hit.

Wing Stroke (Back + Kick, during Arabian Cyclone) – Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed if Medium or Heavy Punch are pressed at the same time.

Rolling Assault and Nail Assault (Forward + Kick, during Arabian Cyclone and Kick, during Rolling Assault) – Universal Adjustment
While using Classic controls, attack will not be performed if Medium or Heavy Punch are pressed at the same time.

SA1 Super Rashid Kick – Bug Fix
The 1st frame of the technique was completely invincible, and this has been changed to be only strike and throw invincible.

SA2 Ysaar – Adjustment
After Ysaar is activated, Rashid will not gain any Super Art gauge until the active frames of the whirlwind are over.

You might also be interested in the patch notes for Destiny 2 Update 7.3.5 Patch Notes and NBA 2K24 Season 4 New Gen Patch Notes.

Jake Solomon, the former creative director of the XCOM franchise and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, has started a new game studio called Midsummer Studios.

He is working with experienced developers who have worked on games like Sid Meier’s Civilization, XCOM, and The Sims. Together, they are creating a new “next-generation” Life Simulation game.

Solomon, who worked at Firaxis for 23 years, is now the CEO and creative director of Midsummer Studios.

He is joined by co-founder Will Miller, another ex-Firaxis developer, who is the game director for this new project. Miller was at Firaxis for 16 years and was the lead designer of Civilization: Beyond Earth and the lead engineer on Marvel’s Midnight Suns.

Firaxis’ Jake Solomon launches Midsummer Studios

Jake Solomon, the former lead of XCOM and a key figure in strategy games, announced this week that he’s co-founded a new game studio. Their focus will be on creating a life simulation game, which is quite different from the strategy games he’s known for.

Some news.

New studio, new game. Right off the bat, it’s going to seem very different from what I’ve done before. But this is where my passion is: emergent player stories. I want to make a game that you can’t play without writing a story.https://t.co/B2198BsPA4

— Jake Solomon (@SolomonJake) May 14, 2024

“This is where my passion is: emergent player stories,” Solomon said after the announcement. “I want to make a game that you can’t play without writing a story.”

In an interview with PC Gamer last week, Solomon described a systems-driven life simulation game where players can choose what kind of story they want to tell. Whether it’s a romantic tale, a family saga, or a successful business venture, the game will generate characters and relationships to make the story interesting from the start.

“We pre-seed the town with relationships,” Solomon explained. “When you start the game, your character already has relationships in the town. If you want to tell a romantic story, for example, your ex-lover might be your coworker, your high school boyfriend might be your neighbor, and your secret crush might be a town rival.”

When asked if the game is like Dwarf Fortress, Solomon agreed, saying it’s a good comparison, though there are important differences. While it aims to simulate an environment, it won’t overwhelm players with detailed text about the town’s history every time they start a new game.

“After choosing their story style and getting the starting town created,” Solomon said, “players can edit characters if they want to change those relationships.”

Solomon emphasized that players will always be able to create their own stories in the game. He envisions an audience similar to Sims players on Tumblr who share screenshots of their dramatic storylines.

Also Read:

• Horizon Retrowave in Forza Horizon 5: Neon Lights, Synth Beats & Retro Rides
• Ubisoft Reveals Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Shinobi’s Dance in Feudal Japan

For longtime Sims players who sometimes feel uninspired to start a new project, Solomon’s game sounds like it will provide plenty of dramatic tension right from the beginning.

This is the first project from Midsummer Studios. It doesn’t have a name yet, and there are no screenshots or trailers available, but you can read more details about Solomon’s vision for this small-town drama life simulation in our longer interview.