Category: News

KEKW and Twitch chat go hand in hand. If you’ve ever hung out on a Twitch stream, chances are you’ve seen people throwing around KEKW. It’s just one of those emotes with a story of its own, like Kappa, ResidentSleeper, and the controversial PogChamp, but we’ll save those tales for another time.

KEKW joined the Twitch emote family thanks to a popular Spanish video of a guy laughing, and it got mixed up with some World of Warcraft terminology. Now, it’s one of the go-to emotes in Twitch chat. Let’s dive into how it became such a chat sensation.

What is KEKW in Twitch Chat?

KEKW is like a super popular emoji on Twitch that shows you’re laughing. It became a big deal in 2020 and is related to another emoji called LULW, which is a different way of saying LOL. There’s also this thing with “KEK,” which is the Korean way of saying LOL.

In a game called World of Warcraft, if you’re on one team and type LOL to someone on the other team, they see it as KEK. And the “W” at the end of these emoji names makes them extra funny on Twitch. Like, LUL and LULW are examples of this.

How KEKW Became the Most Popular Twitch Emote?

People generally agree that the KEKW emote got famous on Twitch channels like xQc and AdmiralBulldog, making more people use it. LUL used to be super popular, but now KEKW is becoming more popular quickly.

Streamers are making their versions of the emote for their subscribers, and there are also other versions like KEKWOW and KEKWhat popping up.

The Gaming Origins of the KEKW Emote

The term ‘KEK,’ a precursor to KEKW, originated from the popular game ‘World of Warcraft’ (WoW). In WoW, when a Horde player types ‘LOL’ (Laugh Out Loud) in the chat, an Alliance player sees it as ‘KEK’ due to the game’s programmed language barrier.

This amusing in-game translation contributed to the naming of the KEKW emote, bringing a piece of gaming culture to the broader online community.

This is everything you need to know about KEKW. Additionally, you can check our guide on Malding in Twitch Chat. Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

The Silent Hill 2 remake’s Steam page was updated recently, hinting that there might be new information from Konami and Bloober Team soon. The original 2001 release of Silent Hill 2 is considered a standout horror game, and fans have been eagerly anticipating the remake since Konami announced it in 2022. However, updates on the game have been scarce since the initial announcement.

Lots of rumors have been going around in 2023 about the Silent Hill 2 remake, especially about when it’s coming out. People have been asking the voice actors, and checking with stores for pre-orders, and there have been a bunch of different dates floating around.

It’s confusing because the information is all over the place. But there’s a recent change on the game’s Steam page that might mean Konami and Bloober Team will share more news about it soon.

A website called SteamDB, which keeps track of changes to game pages on Steam, noticed a recent update to the Silent Hill 2 remake’s Steam page on October 6, 2023.

In this update, they added a tag for Steam achievements to the game’s categories. This suggests that the game might be getting closer to being finished. Bloober Team had mentioned in March 2023 that the remake was nearing completion, and this recent update supports that claim.

The game’s page was updated about two months back. They switched the copyright info from “Konami Digital Entertainment” to just “KONAMI.” They also put in a tag for Steam achievements. On the Silent Hill 2 Steam page, they took out Portuguese and put in support for Ukrainian and Brazilian languages, as per SteamDB.

Konami is working on a remake of Silent Hill, and they’ve got three other projects related to Silent Hill in the works too – Silent Hill f, Silent Hill Townfall, and Silent Hill: Ascension. These were announced back in 2022 during the Silent Hill Transmission livestream event.

The recent update on Steam coincides with the release date announcement for Silent Hill: Ascension. As we approach the 1-year anniversary of the last Livestream, there’s speculation that Konami might share more news soon. However, it’s essential for fans to wait for official information from the publisher before getting too excited.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

There’s a rumor that The Last of Us 2, the game by Naughty Dog, might be available on the PlayStation 5 soon. It first came out on the PS4 in 2020 and got great phrases, but some parts of the story didn’t sit well with dedicated fans.

Sony and Naughty Dog have released the original Last of Us games many times. They remastered the PS3 game for the PS4, and they made a full remake called The Last of Us Part 1 for the PS5, retelling Ellie and Joel’s story.

Now, it looks like The Last of Us 2 might also be getting a similar treatment, with signs indicating that the game could be remastered for the latest Sony hardware.

Insider Gaming found out that Mark Pajarillo, a key artist at Naughty Dog, talked about a new version of The Last of Us 2 on his LinkedIn profile. Later, he edited his profile to remove any mention of the game.

Unfortunately, there were no extra details about what The Last of Us 2: Remastered might include or when it might come out. We can guess that it will probably be for PS5, and there’s a chance it might also come to PC.

Sony brought The Last of Us to PC with Part 1, releasing the PC version a few months after the PS5 one. They’ve said they want to bring more PlayStation exclusives to PC, so Last of Us 2 coming to PC is a sure thing, just a matter of time.

While some would be happy with the PS4 version on PC, a remaster with better graphics and extras could make it even better for PC players. If there’s a new and improved version of The Last of Us 2 for PC, let’s hope it doesn’t have the same problems as the first one.

The initial release of The Last of Us Part 1 on PC had a bunch of problems that made it less enjoyable for PC players. They fixed some of the issues later on, but it was still a letdown for many PC gamers because the game started off in worse shape than the PS5 version.

We’re not sure if The Last of Us 2: Remastered is happening, but fans can still expect more from the franchise. Even though there are issues with The Last of Us multiplayer, there are rumors about The Last of Us 3 game from Naughty Dog. HBO is getting ready for a second season of The Last of Us TV series. Lots of exciting things might be coming for fans in the future.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

Malding is a word used in Twitch chat and gaming that has become more popular recently. It’s not linked to any specific emoji but is commonly used across streaming and gaming platforms.

The term combines ‘mad’ and ‘balding,’ suggesting that someone is both angry and losing hair. People playfully use ‘malding’ to describe others who seem really upset, as if their anger is making them go bald. Let’s explore how the term started and gained popularity in different communities.

What is Malding in Twitch Chat?

Malding is a word formed by combining ‘mad’ and ‘balding.’ It’s used to describe someone who gets extremely angry to the point that it seems like they’re losing their hair. Although it’s commonly used on Twitch, it’s been around since at least 2011 and has been searched for since 2004, according to Urban Dictionary.

Malding in Twitch chat is a special kind of word made by putting two words together. When we mix two words to make a new one, we call it a portmanteau word. A common example we use is ‘brunch,’ which comes from blending ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch.’

The History of “Malding” on Twitch

The word “mald” got famous in the Forsen and Forsenboys community on Twitch. Forsen is a well-known Twitch streamer who gained popularity by streaming Hearthstone in 2015-2016 and later became one of the most popular variety streamers.

In 2019, his viewers teased him when he got upset during a game. The chat started saying “so bad, so mad” and “so bald, so mad.” Over time, this turned into “so bald, so mald,” and that’s how the term ‘mald’ became popular on Twitch.

After “malding” became a popular term in Twitch chat, a Redditor named ganondorf69 shared a picture of Forsen. They asked the community to upvote the picture so that it would appear as a natural search result when people on Google searched for “mald.”

On 23 June 2019, someone shared a video called “The Malding of Twitch,” featuring famous Twitch streamers with bald spots. Then in July 2019, a streamer named Nymm explained the entire history of ‘malding’ in a video. Now, malding isn’t just a thing in Forsen’s community—it’s all over Twitch.

This is everything you need to know about Malding in Twitch Chat. Additionally, you can check our guide on the exciting game Hogwarts Legacy on Twitch. Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

In October, Hitman: World of Assassination is getting a substantial influx of new content to celebrate IO Interactive’s 25th anniversary. They’re also releasing a revamped version of Hitman: Blood Money as part of the festivities.

The game studio in Copenhagen finished its three Hitman reboots in 2021. Now, two years later, they packed all three games together and gave the third one a new name, calling it Hitman: World of Assassination.

Even though the Hitman games are taking a break for a while, the latest one called World of Assassination is still getting updates. IO Interactive(developer) just shared what’s coming up in October.

The Anniversary (October) Roadmap is here! @IOInteractive is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month! To mark the occasion, we have prepared a range of exciting new content including unique suit rewards!

Check out the blog post for details: https://t.co/MbUcDBq6aS pic.twitter.com/0Sb4sD1ex5

— HITMAN (@Hitman) October 5, 2023

There are two parts to the plan: special content for IOI’s anniversary and the usual new things every month. Starting October 5, players can try the Faster than Rocco challenge.

It’s about finishing a sniper mission really quickly—The Last Yardbird—in just one minute and 47 seconds to get a special Sniper Challenge Suit.

On October 13, a tricky new mission called Bad Boy will be revealed in the Sapienza level of Hitman: World of Assassination. Then, a week later, on October 20, there’s another tough challenge waiting for players: The Food Critic in Bangkok.

As October wraps up, IO Interactive’s anniversary goodies kick in. On October 26, players can tackle a bunch of challenging missions to earn the Retro Codename 47 Suit. This cool outfit has a unique old-school, low-poly style inspired by the original game from 2000 that started the whole iconic series.

On the same day, a new challenge called “A Nightmare in Hawkes Bay” is coming up. Fans will need to show off their Bat Shuriken skills, and those who succeed will snag the Jack-O-Lantern Suit just before Halloween.

On October 27, the game will introduce a new character, Alexios “The Drop” Laskardis, portrayed by the famous Belgian DJ Dimitri Vegas. Alongside that, there’s a special Purple Streak Suit, IOI’s first Twitch Drop, up for grabs during the developer’s upcoming livestream.

Hitman: World of Assassination is planned for a new update coming in late October. The update, version 3.170, will bring some handy improvements and fix bugs. The exact release date for this October update hasn’t been confirmed by IO Interactive yet.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

On October 4th, players of Red Dead Redemption on PlayStation discovered that patch 1.03 secretly included a new ‘framerate’ option. However, this feature is only available for PS5 players. With this toggle, players using the latest console can now set Rockstar’s modern classic to run at 60 frames per second (FPS).

Patch 1.03 adds a 60fps Toggle to Red Dead Redemption!
byu/dultimate02 inreddeadredemption

“Great. Now can they do RDR2?” asks the top comment under the Reddit post above. Another person replies, “And miss the oportunity to sell it on PS6 for 80 euros just for that toggle? Nah man, remember this is Rockstar.”

The new 60FPS option for Red Dead Redemption on PS5 was added without much noise. Even the official PlayStation update log didn’t mention it. Rockstar confirmed the feature for all PS5 players with a tweet later in the day.

Red Dead Redemption, including Undead Nightmare, now supports up to 60 FPS on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility. pic.twitter.com/XMLIe6gYo4

— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) October 4, 2023

Red Dead Redemption Fans Thank Rockstar for Surprise 60FPS Update

A fan commented under the Twitter post above, “THANK YOU. This is now a genuinely playable game on PS5 now and actually an upgrade from 2010.”

Another fan commented, “Wow you did so much effort. We thank you for that huge effor for making a 13 year old game playble in 60 fps!”

Red Dead Redemption 60FPS Update & Patch Notes

• Added an option to enable 60 FPS when played on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility
• Added an option to enable subtitles upon first booting the game
• General bug fixes and improvements

No surprise, the Nintendo Switch version of Red Dead Redemption remastered didn’t get the update, so it stays the same. The PC and Xbox versions haven’t received the rerelease of Red Dead Redemption yet, meaning having a PS5 or PS4 Pro is the only clear way to play the game at 60FPS for now.

Will Red Dead Redemption 2 be in 60FPS Mode?

Now that Rockstar has fulfilled one request, the Red Dead community is wondering: will Red Dead Redemption 2 be the next in line to get a 60FPS mode?

Rockstar fans would be pretty happy because the game currently runs at 30FPS on PlayStation and Xbox. After the update for the original Red Dead Redemption, people quickly started asking Rockstar for the same feature. Rockstar hasn’t said it’s happening, but they didn’t announce the Red Dead Redemption feature until it was already out, either.

A fan commented on the above twitter post, “Also this does mean that RDR2 is now stuck running worse as its 13 year old dad so please look into next gen upgrades or adding 60FPS to your magnum opus best game RDR2.”

Also this does mean that RDR2 is now stuck running worse as its 13 year old dad so please look into next gen upgrades or adding 60FPS to your magnum opus best game RDR2🙏🙏🙏

— Synth Potato (Ameer) 🥔 (@SynthPotato) October 4, 2023

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about Red Dead Redemption.

Many skilled Call of Duty: Warzone players think the Lachman 762 is one of the top battle rifles in the game, and a recent update has made it even stronger. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and its battle royale mode keep getting updates as the seasons go on. The latest update, Season 6, brought new features like Spawn, Zombie Royale, and more.

The newest season of Call of Duty not only brings cool new looks, a fresh game mode, and fixes for annoying bugs, but it also fine-tuned a bunch of weapons and gear. While some players are grumbling about problems like an invisible skin, there’s a weapons buff that has a Call of Duty pro feeling pretty pleased.

IceManIssac, a popular streamer, YouTuber, and Call of Duty: Warzone player, just dropped a new video talking about his favorite gun, the Lachman 762. In the latest Season 6 update, this weapon got a major boost—it now deals more damage up close and to the neck, torso, and limbs.

These changes make the battle rifle even more deadly without any drawbacks. IceManIssac was surprised to see his already great gun get even better, and he’s super happy to have more reasons to use it in the game.

In his latest video, IceManIssac talks about why he really likes using the Lachman 762 in Warzone. He points out that even though it’s not the longest-range rifle, it’s super accurate.

IceManIssac thinks it’s especially effective up close and at medium range, and he even says it can be better than submachine guns for clearing rooms. While Season 6 boosted one SMG, IceManIssac still believes the battle rifle has better stats for taking down enemies quickly.

This season, the awesome Lachman-762 gun in Call of Duty: Warzone is getting even better. Skilled players will likely want to create a powerful setup for it and try out a fresh strategy.

IceManIsaac suggests teaming it up with a sniper rifle for long-range battles. However you decide to use it, the Lachman-762 is expected to be a popular choice in the next few months.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and guides about the gaming world.

Battlefield 2042 recently shared details about its sixth season, called Dark Creations. As it approaches its two-year mark, the game has faced challenges since its not-so-great launch in 2021, especially with tough competition from games like Call of Duty: Vanguard and Halo Infinite that came out around the same time.

Because of good seasonal help and important updates in the last two years, people feel a bit better about Battlefield 2042 now. Since it came out, they’ve fixed almost all the initial maps, like the much-asked-for Hourglass, and brought back the old class system that players liked.

Even though Battlefield 2042 is still getting regular updates, there’s a rumor that EA might be thinking about new Battlefield games made by different studios, including DICE.

In June, Battlefield 2042 gave a glimpse of Season 6. After Season 5 ended in late August, players had to wait for new content. But now, Battlefield 2042 shared on Twitter that Season 6, named Dark Creations, is starting on October 10.

Introducing #Battlefield 2042 – Season 6: Dark Creations. Where keeping it together is the only thing keeping you alive.

🗺 New claustrophobic CQC map
🔫 New weapons & gadgets
🔥 All-New Battle Pass

📅 Play Season 6: Dark Creations on Tuesday, October 10 pic.twitter.com/NtbAoMfakS

— Battlefield (@Battlefield) October 2, 2023

It will bring a new map for close-up battles, along with fresh new weapons, gadgets, and items in the battle pass for Halloween vibes. On October 5, a gameplay trailer is expected to reveal more details about Season 6.

Lots of Battlefield fans were a bit puzzled after watching the video, wondering if the upcoming season would bring a PvE zombie mode. In the video, it shows operators fighting what seem to be zombie-like soldiers.

But hold on, those undead soldiers were also packing weapons and shooting back! It’s more probable that these are just zombie-themed outfits you can get in the battle pass or the in-game store.

Next month is going to be a showdown for online shooters. Battlefield 2042 is launching Season 6, known as Dark Creations, on October 10. However, it’s not the only game in town, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s Haunting event starts just a week later on October 17.

There’s even a rumor about Ubisoft’s XDefiant launching on the same day. Battlefield 2042 might have its hands full with some tough competition, but fans can look forward to more Season 6 details as October 10 gets closer.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and updates about the gaming world.

The new Zombies mode for Modern Warfare 3 has been shown in a gameplay video. Call of Duty teamed up with OffLimits cereal, and they shared a short clip on YouTube and TikTok. The video gives us a sneak peek at the upcoming Zombies mode, revealing a new map and weapons in just a few seconds of gameplay.

MW3 Zombies is something new for Modern Warfare. It’s changing the horde survival mode by giving players a whole PvE open-world adventure. The story is exciting and connects with the Black Ops Cold War.

Recently, the cinematic trailer dropped, and players were super excited and couldn’t wait for more info about the game mode. We haven’t gotten a lot of details yet, but the recent video gave us a look at the gameplay, which was a surprise for everyone.

Modern Warfare 3 Zombies Gameplay Revealed

The new Zombies mode for Modern Warfare 3 was recently shown in a different way than usual. Instead of a traditional reveal, players saw a look in an advertisement. Call of Duty teamed up with OffLimits cereal to introduce a special edition called “Zombie,” and the videos featured a quick look at the gameplay.

In the first clip, zombies are running at the player.

First Look at #ModernWarfareIII Zombies Gameplay! #CallofDuty #MWIII #Zombies

pic.twitter.com/cJcvWcWKXW

— Call of Duty: Warzone News (@WarzoneTFN) September 30, 2023

In the second clip, the Monkey Bomb from MW3 is thrown into a bunch of zombies for the first time.

Monkey Bomb in #MWIII Zombies! #ModernWarfareIII #Zombies

pic.twitter.com/ZQCwSajQrb

— Call of Duty: Warzone News (@WarzoneTFN) September 30, 2023

The place seems to be Urzikstan, a made-up area in the Call of Duty world. Since MW3 Zombies is closely connected to the Victor Zakhaev story, this isn’t unexpected.

Call of Duty Official Twitter handle announces the upcoming reveal of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’s Multiplayer, Zombies, Call of Duty Warzone, and Warzone Mobile at the CODNext event on October 5, 2023, at 9 AM PT.

Premiering live at #CODNext on October 5 at 9AM PT 🗓️#MW3 Multiplayer, Zombies, Call of Duty #Warzone, and Warzone Mobile 💥 pic.twitter.com/PcjZlbAJR9

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) October 1, 2023

Many people are super excited about Grand Theft Auto 6 right now. GTA 5 just celebrated its tenth birthday, and fans are eagerly searching for hints about the next game.

The recent GTA Online Moon Festival event has just started, and it looks like Rockstar might be dropping hints about GTA 6. Let’s dive into the tease, which is probably why you’re here!

Rockstar Games Teases GTA 6

In a recent tweet by Rockstar Games about the update, fans noticed something interesting. The characters in the tweet were strategically placed in the middle of the screen, blocking most of the letters of the famous Vinewood sign in GTA’s game world. Only the letters “V” and “I” are visible on the left side.

Many players think this might be a hint at GTA 6, as the game titles usually use Roman numerals. It might be a bit of a stretch, but GTA fans are excited for any clues about the next game.

Happy Moon Festival!

Play GTA Online anytime this week to get the Red Happy Moon Tee and join the festivities: https://t.co/s0i54l6HoW pic.twitter.com/C8UVIGXL4j

— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) September 29, 2023

GTA Online Moon Festival Rewards

If you play GTA Online this week, you’ll get a cool Red Happy Moon Tee as a reward for joining the Moon Festival celebration. The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is a traditional Chinese event. In GTA’s Los Santos, which is based in LA, they like to celebrate it too.

During this week, players will see faster production for Biker Businesses, Bunker Stock, and Nightclub Warehouse Stock. Upgrades and changes for the Executive Office, Bunker, Nightclub, and Biker Clubhouse are 40% cheaper, so it’s a good time for players to improve their businesses at lower costs.

Stay connected with GameEmpress.com to get the latest news and updates about the gaming world.

Pokemon Unite accidentally revealed three new playable Pokemon: Blaziken, Mimikyu, and Meowscarada. The game has been popular since it came out in 2021 and kept adding new Pokemon to its roster, including some fans’ favorites, while others are hidden gems, making the roster diverse and exciting.

The Pokemon World Championships 2023 is a big competition where players from around the world compete to become the World Champion. They play different Pokemon games like trading cards, video games, and even Pokemon Unite.

The Unite tournament finals happened on Friday, and Luminosity’s team won the championship. While the World Championship is still going on for other games, it looks like Pokemon Unite will reveal three new Pokemon after the tournament ends.

The Pokemon Unite trailer was shared on the game’s Facebook page but got removed fast. However, you can still watch it on the r/PokemonUnite subreddit, posted by u/lblasto1se.

Blaziken,Meowscarada and Mimikyu officially announed
byu/lblasto1se inPokemonUnite

In the short video, you can see Blaziken, Mimikyu, and Meowscarada and what they can do. Blaziken is a fire-fighting Pokemon with physical, solid moves for close combat.

In the Pokemon Unite trailer, Mimikyu’s abilities are highlighted. It shows that Mimikyu can sneak up on opponents, teleport to them, and deal damage, kind of like a character from League of Legends called Lee Sin.

Mimikyu also has a special move where it traps opponents under its costume and deals a lot of damage. Additionally, Meowscarada, which evolved from Sprigatito, will be added too. Meowscarada can create a copy of itself to attack two different places at once.

The leaked trailer shows that Blaziken will join Pokemon Unite on September 14. But, the release date for the other two, Mimikyu and Meowscarada, is not mentioned, just that they’re coming soon.

Some fans on the subreddit were excited about these three Pokemon, while others were hoping for even more Pokemon to be added. One fan expressed a wish for Mimikyu to have costumes like Pikachu but with that unique homemade style that Mimikyu is known for.

A fan commented, “They made Mimikyu an all-rounder? Guess Pikachu has some mad competition”

Another fan commented, “I hope mimikyu gets all the same outfits pikachu does but in like the home-made style mimikyu does. Meowscarada looks really fun. I can’t wait to die using her unite.”

If you’re interested in learning more about other Pokémon video games, you can check out our guide on Pokémon Sleep. You can also check out our website, GameEmpress.com, for the latest updates and news about the gaming world.

Editor’s note: This article was published in September 2023 and reflects early development reporting. Ace Combat 8 has since been officially revealed as Wings of Theve, confirmed for a 2026 release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Since the beginning of Ace Combat games, players have enjoyed the amazing fun of flying and fighting in an arcade style. Even after 30 years, this exciting game series is still going strong. The latest one, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, is close to selling 5 million copies, and it looks like Bandai Namco is already planning the next game in the series.

After the big hit of Ace Combat 7, Bandai Namco is now working on Ace Combat 8. This new game aims to live up to the legacy of its predecessor. Because the Ace Combat series has a long history, people are really excited and have high hopes for the next game.

That’s why Bandai Namco has created Project Aces and the Bandai Namco Aces studio, showing how dedicated they are to the series.

They’re not just developing a new office space with an exciting name. It’s a big effort to take flight simulation gaming to new heights. Bandai Namco Aces’ President, Takuya Iwasaki, is excitedly searching for developers to make the game look super realistic.

He said, “We are currently recruiting a development team as a studio that pursues photorealistic expressions primarily using Unreal Engine 5.”

Photorealistic means making things in games look very real. It’s not just about great graphics but also about making the game feel so real that it’s hard to tell it apart from the actual world.

So, the big decision to use the powerful Unreal Engine 5 for the next Ace Combat game is a major step. This engine is famous for its awesome graphics, and it will definitely help the team make the game look super real, getting them closer to their goal of photorealism.

But high graphics are only part of what makes Ace Combat games so cool. The real trick is how they mix a good story with precise gameplay. Like in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, where players get to be top pilots in the made-up Strangereal world, dealing with all the ups and downs of a war between Osea and Erusea.

Making cool games isn’t a quick task. Even though everyone is super excited about Ace Combat 8, it might not hit the gaming scene until somewhere between 2025 and 2028 — and as of May 2026, Bandai Namco has confirmed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for release in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. That’s like when the PlayStation 6 is getting a bit older. Just to put it in perspective, there was a massive 12 years between Ace Combat 6 and the next one in line.

However, this isn’t about taking it easy; it’s about showing how dedicated Project Aces is to making top-notch games. They don’t rush out games with the same old content and features.

They focus on creating a compelling story, bringing in new super cool weapons, creating emotive music, and adding innovative features every time. Their goal is to make a game that’s not just about flying but captures the essence of flying itself.

Even though the franchise usually follows a successful formula, some gamers want to see changes. Fans hope Ace Combat 8 will use modern gaming technology to give a more exciting and varied experience, with maybe a different art style and story themes.

One thing’s for sure—fans are patiently waiting, trusting that Bandai Namco and Project Aces will give them a game that honors the franchise’s legacy and takes flight combat simulation to new heights.

If you’re curious about Bandai Namco’s other project, Tekken 8, you can find more information in our guide. Stay connected with GameEmpress to get the latest news and updates about the gaming world.

Update: Ace Combat 8 has since been officially revealed as Wings of Theve and is confirmed for an October 2, 2026 launch, with preorder details now live.

Rockstar Games might soon bring some of their games to GTA+. Rockstar Games is a top developer in the gaming industry and keeps impressing players with every new release.

Their most famous series is Grand Theft Auto, where players can experience the life of successful criminals and see the consequences of their actions. Their Red Dead Redemption games transport players to the Wild West, providing a unique frontier experience.

Even their smaller franchises like LA Noire, Bully, Max Payne, and Midnight Club are outstanding and can compete with the best games from other studios.

Rockstar Games, known for its impressive track record, has built a solid reputation in the gaming industry. Now, they’re putting that reputation to good use with their subscription service. If you’re a GTA Online enthusiast, you’re in for a treat with GTA+.

GTA+ is a subscription service that offers a slew of fantastic perks. Players can enjoy free in-game items, exclusive discounts, and various other benefits, making it a compelling deal for dedicated gamers. But here’s the exciting part: it just got even better.

Recently, GTA+ upped its game by adding free titles to its offering. The first one on the list is Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. Keep in mind that you won’t own it forever if your subscription lapses or if Rockstar decides to remove it. However, this appears to be an ongoing benefit, with the possibility of more Rockstar games being added in the future.

What’s even more intriguing is that it seems like this offer might extend to mobile gamers, too. Some players have noticed references to Android and iOS in the description, hinting at the potential for mobile gaming benefits in the future.

Rockstar have added App Store logos to the GTA+ webpage & references to mobile games for GTA+ on the Xbox store listing via @InfinityBesk.

This suggests mobile games will come to GTA+ in the future.

Fully story 👇https://t.co/8HMBOOdBKp pic.twitter.com/CismY6zCV9

— GTA News 🔴 RockstarINTEL.com (@GTAonlineNews) September 26, 2023

At this moment, we don’t have information about when the GTA trilogy will be available on mobile or which games will be part of it. It’s anticipated that the GTA trilogy will eventually come to mobile devices, but there’s no definite release date confirmed.

Rockstar already has several mobile games available, like Bully. It’s unclear if Rockstar intends to release more games for mobile in the future, especially with the new iPhone 15 Pro, which is being promoted as a device with a stronger gaming focus.

In a surprising twist, the exciting new game called Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, which is an action RPG with a captivating story, won’t be arriving as soon as we hoped. This game, created by the famous Don’t Nod studio and brought to us by Focus Entertainment, was first introduced at The Game Awards 2022 and caught the eye of lots of gamers.

In Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, you have lots of ways to play. The game is set in a fascinating world where you make important choices. There are two main characters, Red Mac Raith and his late partner, Antea Duarte. Together, they fight against many spooky ghosts and monsters in New Eden, which is in North America.

You get to play as both Red and Antea. This means you can use Red’s cool weapons like rifles, swords, and firebane, and you can also use Antea’s special ghostly powers. You can switch between them easily during battles. This way, you can have exciting fights that mix different fighting styles and make the game really fun.

After the big announcement at The Game Awards, gamers were excited for Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden to come out in 2023. But, surprise! The game’s release date has changed. Instead of November 7, 2023, it’s now coming out on February 13, 2024.

Oskar Guilbert, the CEO of Don’t Nod, and John Bert, the Managing Director of Focus Entertainment, explained that they decided to delay the release because there are too many other games coming out at the end of this year. They think that by launching in February, the game will have a better chance to do well in the gaming world.

pic.twitter.com/HDsOpwTEWN

— DON’T NOD (@DONTNOD_Ent) September 26, 2023

Don’t Nod Entertainment’s decision makes sense when you consider the packed gaming schedule in November 2023. Big titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Like a Dragon Gaiden, Persona 5 Tactica, and more are set to hit the shelves, so it’s a strategic move to wait and release Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden in a less crowded gaming landscape.

It’s important to point out that this delay gives Don’t Nod extra time to polish Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden before its official launch. While some fans might be disappointed about the delay from the originally planned November release, it’s worth noting that the wait is only around four months.

Hey Gamer! After the success of 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its 2023 sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, fans can rejoice as a third installment in the series is officially in development.

The exciting news didn’t come from developer Respawn Entertainment or publisher EA. Still, it was revealed by none other than Cameron Monaghan, the talented actor who portrays Cal Kestis, the series’ beloved protagonist. However, Monaghan remained silent about further details regarding this upcoming game.

As we look ahead, it’s interesting to note that if development for this third game began this year, we could make a guess about its potential release window. Previous patterns show a four-year gap between the releases of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. According to the pattern, we can anticipate the release of this third game in 2027.

When it finally does arrive, it’s likely to be available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. By that time, the PS4 and Xbox One will have become distant memories in the gaming world.

While it’s possible that the game may find its way to the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox, which aren’t expected until 2028, it won’t happen immediately upon its 2027 release.

Monaghan said during the panel, “We’re in the process of doing it right now. That’s a big undertaking and there have been some conversations so far. Hopefully, when all things are said and done, we’ll be able to go in and make something really cool for you guys again.”

Hey, GTA fans, we have some news for you! Significant changes to the GTA 6 Wanted system were found in leaked gameplay videos. These changes make the police in the game smarter.

Last year, people got to see some parts of GTA 6 in leaked videos. These videos showed that the game would be set in Vice City, have two main characters, and many improvements from GTA 5.

Although Rockstar hasn’t said anything about GTA 6, fans have put together a list of everything they saw in the videos to show how big this game is going to be.

Many people have wanted improvements to GTA’s Wanted system for a long time, and the new Grand Theft Auto game will make significant improvements, as players have found out.

GTA 6 Police AI and Wanted System Getting Major Upgrades

In one leaked video clip, the main characters, Jason and Lucia, rob a diner named Hank’s Waffle House. When we take a closer look at this video, we can see a lot of new things that will be in GTA 6.

When the player takes money from the cash register and scares the people in the diner, something new happens. It’s called the ‘witness’ thing. If you have a high ‘Wanted’ level, the words ‘Full Description’ pop up, which means the people who saw you know exactly what you look like.

User noted, “In the Hank’s Waffle robbery video you can see under the wanted level stars written: Full Description, which implies that the witnesses have a full description of you. Once Lucia enters the police vehicle, you can see written: No Vehicle Description which quickly changes to: Full Vehicle Description, which suggests that the police have a full description of your vehicle. Also the text prompt on the top-left side says: Any vehicle you are seen entering will be known by the Law.”

Also, the video showed that Jason can stop people with a yellow icon above their heads from calling the police or escaping. Moreover, now, the police won’t arrive immediately after a crime happens, which makes it more realistic. And speaking of the police, they are getting improved artificial intelligence.

User noted, “The police A.I. can be seen adjusting his stance depending on the height of the object in front of him, and lowering his position when he reloads his weapon, and he also keeps shooting Lucia while moving left and right. In other videos like the Hank’s Waffles robbery, the police A.I. is also seen raising their guns over higher objects like cars.”

With all these improvements, GTA VI is becoming one of the craziest games ever. But when will fans be able to play it? Even though Rockstar hasn’t officially shown GTA 6 yet, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick suggested it might come out in 2024. He mentioned this while talking about the company’s expected financial results for 2025.