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  • All Active Genshin Impact Redeem Codes for May 2026

    All Active Genshin Impact Redeem Codes for May 2026

    Genshin Impact players can redeem active codes for free Primogems, Mora, Hero’s Wit, Adventurer’s Experience, and upgrade materials. Codes can expire quickly, especially livestream codes, so redeem everything below as soon as possible through HoYoverse’s official redemption page or directly from the in-game Account menu.

    Active Genshin Impact Codes — May 2026

    These codes were listed as active on May 16, 2026. They may stop working at any time if HoYoverse removes them or they reach a usage limit.

    Code Rewards Status
    PFY1S40I88T9 60 Primogems, 5 Adventurer’s Experience Listed active
    PSCA8NL4ZSPD 60 Primogems, 5 Adventurer’s Experience Listed active
    G5HS7EMI47D0 60 Primogems, 5 Adventurer’s Experience Listed active / possible alternate
    A0NBWRZZI3XJ 20 Primogems, 160 Geodes of Replication Listed active
    FEOMBCVX6UO7 10,000 Mora, 10 Adventurer’s Experience, 5 Fine Enhancement Ore, 5 Jueyun Chili Chicken, 5 Stir-Fried Fish Noodles Listed active
    GENSHINGIFT 50 Primogems, 3 Hero’s Wit Periodically active / account-dependent

    Note on PSCA8NL4ZSPD and G5HS7EMI47D0: The Genshin Impact Wiki lists both codes under the same reward. They may be alternate codes, so if one works, the other may not give a second reward on the same account.

    Note on GENSHINGIFT: This code is periodically active and account-dependent. It may already show as redeemed on older accounts.

    Related Reads

    Recently Expired Genshin Impact Codes

    These codes came from the May 8, 2026 special program and expired on May 11, 2026. They are listed here for reference only and may no longer work.

    Code Rewards
    BacktoSumeru 100 Primogems, 10 Mystic Enhancement Ore
    NicolaCoCo 100 Primogems, 5 Hero’s Wit
    WilltoWin 100 Primogems, 50,000 Mora

    Livestream codes like these often have a short redemption window. The May 8 codes expired on May 11 — if you see codes appear during a special program, redeem them immediately rather than saving them for later.

    How to Redeem Genshin Impact Codes

    You can redeem codes in two ways.

    Method 1: HoYoverse Redemption Website

    1. Go to the official Genshin Impact redemption page.
    2. Log in with your HoYoverse account.
    3. Select your correct server (Asia, America, Europe, or TW/HK/MO).
    4. Enter the code exactly as shown — no spaces before or after.
    5. Claim the rewards from your in-game mail after redeeming the code.

    Method 2: In-Game Redemption

    1. Open Genshin Impact and tap the Paimon Menu (top-left).
    2. Go to Settings → Account → Redeem Code.
    3. Enter the code and confirm.
    4. Collect rewards from your in-game mail.

    Minimum requirement: Most codes require Adventure Rank 10 and a linked HoYoverse account. GENSHINGIFT is a known exception to the AR10 rule, though players still need access to in-game mail to claim the reward.

    Why a Code Might Not Work

    If a code does not work, one of these reasons is usually the cause:

    • The code has expired. Even codes listed as “indefinite” can be silently revoked by HoYoverse.
    • You have already redeemed it. Re-entering a used code on the same account shows a success screen but delivers nothing new.
    • Wrong server selected. Rewards go to the server you select, so choose the server you actually play on.
    • Adventure Rank too low. Most accounts below AR10 cannot process redemption codes. Check specific requirements if you are a new player.
    • Accidental spacing. A single space before or after the code string invalidates it entirely. Copy-paste carefully, or type it character by character.
    • Usage limit reached. Some codes are capped at a total number of global redemptions. Once the limit is reached, the code may stop working even if you never used it.

    How to Stay Ahead of New Codes

    HoYoverse releases codes through three main channels: Special Program livestreams ahead of each new version, official social media posts on X/Twitter and Facebook, and occasionally through partner content creators during collaboration events.

    The best habit is to watch each Special Program live, redeem codes the moment they appear on screen, and do not close the stream until all codes have been entered. Waiting too long can make the codes expire before you use them.

    Bookmark the Genshin Impact Wiki’s active-code table as a secondary fallback — it is updated frequently by the community and clearly separates active codes from expired ones, which most third-party list articles do not.

    These codes were listed by current trackers on May 16, 2026. Genshin Impact codes can expire or become account-limited without notice. Redeem through HoYoverse’s official redemption page as soon as possible.

  • Best 4K Settings for Subnautica 2 for Max FPS

    Best 4K Settings for Subnautica 2 for Max FPS

    The target for Subnautica 2 at 4K is High settings at 60 FPS — not Epic. Dropping Global Illumination, Shadows, View Distance, Shading, and Effects from Epic to High produces large performance gains while keeping the game looking excellent. Use DLSS Quality on Nvidia RTX cards, TSR on AMD and Intel, and cap your frame rate at 60 until your hardware can sustain higher.

    Best 4K Settings for Subnautica 2

    Setting Best 4K Value Why
    Resolution 3840×2160 Native 4K target
    Display Mode Fullscreen or Borderless Use whichever gives better stability for your setup
    FPS Cap 60 FPS Matches the current 4K High performance target
    Graphics Preset High More stable than Epic at 4K on most hardware
    Upscaling (Nvidia RTX) DLSS Quality Best image quality with meaningful FPS headroom
    Upscaling (AMD/Intel) TSR Quality or Balanced Native FSR is not currently available; TSR is the fallback for non-Nvidia GPUs
    DLSS Frame Generation On only if base FPS is stable Do not use to mask an unstable base frame rate
    Global Illumination High One of the most expensive settings in the game
    Shadows High Large FPS gain compared to Epic with minimal visual loss
    View Distance High Drop first if you encounter stutters during exploration
    Shading High Good balance between rendering quality and cost
    Effects High Stabilises performance in heavy underwater scenes
    Textures High or Epic if VRAM allows Try Epic only if you have plenty of VRAM, ideally 16 GB for 4K; lower to High if hitching occurs
    Motion Blur Off Cleaner image at 4K; no meaningful quality trade-off
    V-Sync Off with VRR/G-Sync/FreeSync; On if tearing appears Depends on monitor

    Subnautica 2 official PC system requirements for 4K Settings for Subnautica 2

    Best 4K Settings for Nvidia RTX GPUs

    Nvidia users currently have the most complete in-game upscaling path because Subnautica 2 supports DLSS and DLSS Frame Generation, while FSR is not available yet. DLSS Quality is the recommended starting point at 4K — it renders at roughly 67% of native resolution and upscales to 4K, recovering substantial FPS while keeping the image sharp enough that the difference from native is difficult to spot during gameplay.

    If your base frame rate is stable above 45 FPS, DLSS Frame Generation is worth enabling. It inserts AI-generated frames between rendered frames to boost perceived smoothness. The important caveat is that Frame Generation adds latency and works best when the underlying frame rate is already solid — if you are struggling to hold 40 FPS, fix that first by lowering Global Illumination and Shadows before enabling it.

    If DLSS Quality still leaves you short of 60 FPS, move to DLSS Balanced. DLSS Performance should be treated as a last resort at 4K. It can help weaker GPUs reach playable frame rates, but it will soften the image more than Quality or Balanced. Avoid using Performance at 1440p unless you have no other option.

    Nvidia GPU targets at 4K:

    GPU Realistic 4K Target
    RTX 3070 1440p High; 4K only with DLSS Performance and heavy setting reductions
    RTX 4070 1440p High/60 FPS; 4K possible with upscaling and reduced settings, not guaranteed
    RTX 5070 Ti 4K High / 60 FPS — the official Ultra++ target
    RTX 5080 / 5090 4K High/Epic mix, DLSS Quality, higher FPS target possible

    Best 4K Settings for AMD and Intel GPUs

    AMD and Intel users are currently working with fewer upscaling options. Native FSR is not currently available in Subnautica 2 at this stage of Early Access — FSR is confirmed to be coming later. Until then, TSR (Temporal Super Resolution) is the safest fallback recommendation for AMD and Intel users.

    TSR Quality is the recommended starting mode for AMD and Intel users. It renders below native 4K and upscales back to the target resolution, giving extra FPS while keeping image quality reasonably close to native. TSR Balanced is the next step down if you still need more FPS headroom.

    AMD and Intel users should also pay closer attention to the settings that stress VRAM, particularly Textures and View Distance, as TSR does not recover performance as efficiently as DLSS on Nvidia hardware.

    AMD GPU targets at 4K:

    GPU Realistic 4K Target
    RX 6700 XT 1440p High; 4K not practical at this stage
    RX 6900 XT 1440p High/60 FPS; 4K may require TSR Balanced and reduced settings
    RX 7900 XTX 4K High / 60 FPS — the official Ultra++ target

    Settings to Lower First for Better FPS

    Subnautica 2 in-game environment at 4K

    When performance drops at 4K, these five settings give the largest gains when reduced from Epic to High. Work through them in this order:

    Global Illumination is one of the highest-cost settings in Subnautica 2. It controls how light bounces through environments — the underwater lighting in the game is particularly demanding. Dropping this from Epic to High alone recovers significant frame rate.

    Shadows at Epic can be expensive in Unreal Engine 5 games, and Subnautica 2 is no exception based on current testing. The difference between Epic and High shadows is noticeable in still screenshots but much harder to spot during active gameplay. Drop this early.

    View Distance directly affects how much geometry and detail the game renders in the distance. In Subnautica 2’s open underwater environments, this is a major driver of frame rate variance. If you notice stutters specifically while swimming through open water or large biomes, this is the first setting to pull back.

    Shading controls surface rendering complexity. It sits in the mid-range of cost but adds up alongside the other heavy settings. High is a reliable stopping point.

    Effects covers particle systems and post-process effects — things like bioluminescent particles, water distortion, and explosion aftermath. These become particularly expensive in dense underwater scenes. High is the practical ceiling for most 4K rigs.

    Can Subnautica 2 Run at 4K 60 FPS?

    Can Subnautica 2 Run at 4K 60 FPS

    Yes, but the hardware requirement is high. Unknown Worlds’ system-requirements recommendations list the Ultra++ target at 4K/High/60 FPS, requiring an RTX 5070 Ti or RX 7900 XTX-class GPU, 32 GB of system RAM, and 16 GB of VRAM.

    Cards below that tier — including the RTX 4070 and RX 6900 XT — are better treated as 1440p High/60 FPS cards based on the published spec targets. They may be able to run 4K with upscaling and reduced settings, but consistent 4K/60 should not be promised. The RTX 3070 and RX 6700 XT, which are Subnautica 2’s official recommended specs, are not suited for native 4K. Those cards are the target for 1440p Medium/High.

    Subnautica 2 is in Early Access, which means optimization is ongoing. Performance will likely improve in future updates, and FSR support for AMD users is coming. The settings and targets in this guide reflect the game’s current state — for context on the lead-up to its launch, see our coverage. If you are playing through Xbox Game Pass, the same PC settings apply via the Windows version.

    Best Settings for Smooth 4K Without Losing Visual Quality

    Best Settings for Smooth 4K Without Losing Visual Quality

    If your goal is the best possible image at 4K without frame rate drops, this is the balanced profile that keeps the most visually important settings high while cutting the heaviest costs:

    • Graphics Preset: High as the base
    • Global Illumination: High
    • Shadows: High
    • View Distance: High
    • Shading: High
    • Effects: High
    • Textures: Epic (if you have plenty of VRAM, ideally 16 GB) or High; drop to High if texture streaming issues appear
    • Motion Blur: Off
    • Upscaling: DLSS Quality (Nvidia) or TSR Quality (AMD/Intel)
    • FPS Cap: 60

    For many players, the visual gap between this profile and a full Epic preset should be small enough during normal play to justify the performance gain. The underwater environments in Subnautica 2 are lit and detailed enough that High settings read as high quality during actual play. The settings where Epic makes a perceptible difference — Global Illumination and Shadows — are precisely the ones that cost the most FPS.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does Subnautica 2 support DLSS? Yes. Nvidia RTX users can use DLSS Quality, Balanced, or Performance upscaling, as well as DLSS Frame Generation on supported cards.

    Does Subnautica 2 support FSR? Not currently. AMD FSR support is planned but not yet available in Early Access. AMD and Intel users should use TSR as the fallback upscaling option.

    Is Epic better than High at 4K? For most hardware, no. The FPS cost of Epic settings at 4K — particularly Global Illumination, Shadows, and Effects — is high enough that 60 FPS becomes difficult to sustain. High is the better 4K target.

    What GPU do you need for 4K 60 FPS in Subnautica 2? The RTX 5070 Ti or RX 7900 XTX are the current 4K High / 60 FPS targets. Cards below that tier will need upscaling and reduced settings to hit 60 FPS at 4K.

    Should I use DLSS Frame Generation? Only if your base frame rate is already stable. Frame Generation works by inserting frames between rendered ones, which adds latency and is less effective when the underlying FPS is low. Aim for a stable base above 45 FPS before enabling it.

  • How to Get Pikachu & Raichu in Pokémon LeafGreen

    How to Get Pikachu & Raichu in Pokémon LeafGreen

    In Pokémon LeafGreen, you can catch Pikachu in two locations: Viridian Forest early in the game, or the Power Plant later on. To get Raichu, use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu — Raichu cannot be caught in the wild in LeafGreen.

    Where to Find Pikachu in Pokémon LeafGreen

    Pikachu appears in two locations, each suited to a different point in the game.

    Location When available Level Encounter rate Best for
    Viridian Forest Early game 3–5 ~5% Getting Pikachu before Brock
    Power Plant Later game (requires Surf) 22–26 ~25% Faster, easier Pikachu farming

    If you want Pikachu as early as possible, Viridian Forest is your only option. If you just want to catch one quickly and don’t mind waiting, the Power Plant is significantly better. These same locations apply to Pokémon FireRed — see our FireRed Pikachu location guide if you are playing that version.

    How to Catch Pikachu in Viridian Forest

    Viridian Forest location preview in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

    Viridian Forest sits between Viridian City and Pewter City along Route 2. It is the first area where Pikachu appears, and you can reach it before fighting Brock, the first Gym Leader.

    The encounter rate here is low — around 5% — which means you may spend a while in the tall grass before one appears. A few tips to improve your odds:

    • Repels do not target specific Pokémon, but they can reduce lower-level encounters if your lead Pokémon is set at the right level. For most players, the simpler method is to keep walking in the grass and expect several encounters before Pikachu appears.
    • In Generation III, Static gives roughly a one-in-three chance of paralyzing a Pokémon that hits Pikachu with a contact move, so be careful using contact moves when weakening it.
    • Have Poké Balls ready before entering — there is no shop inside the forest.

    The Pikachu you find here will be between Level 3 and 5, which makes it easy to catch but means you will be raising it from scratch.

    How to Catch Pikachu at the Power Plant

    The Power Plant is reached from Route 10 by using Surf. This means it is a mid-to-late game location, only accessible after you have HM03 Surf and have progressed far enough to use it outside of battle.

    The encounter rate here is around 25%, which makes finding Pikachu considerably faster than in Viridian Forest. Pikachu appear between Level 22 and 26, so they will already have several moves and will put up more of a fight. Bring a Pokémon that can inflict sleep or paralysis to make catching easier.

    The Power Plant is also where you find Zapdos, the Legendary Electric-type, but for this guide, Pikachu is the target.

    How to Evolve Pikachu into Raichu

    To get Raichu in a normal LeafGreen playthrough, use a Thunder Stone on Pikachu. Raichu does not evolve from leveling up, and it does not appear as a wild encounter in LeafGreen.

    Using the Thunder Stone works at any level. The evolution is permanent and cannot be reversed, so read the next section before you use it.

    Where to Get a Thunder Stone in Pokémon LeafGreen

    The easiest and most reliable source is the Celadon Department Store, located in Celadon City. Go to the fourth floor and buy a Thunder Stone for $2,100. This source is repeatable, meaning you can buy as many as you need.

    You can also find a Thunder Stone as an item pickup inside the Power Plant, which is convenient if you are already there catching Pikachu.

    Should You Evolve Pikachu Right Away?

    This depends on what you want from Raichu.

    Raichu has better base stats than Pikachu across the board — higher Attack, Special Attack, Defense, and HP — so evolving gives you a stronger Pokémon immediately in battle.

    However, Pikachu learns moves by leveling up that Raichu does not learn naturally. If you evolve too early, you may miss moves like Thunderbolt, which Pikachu learns at Level 26. The safest approach is to wait until Pikachu has learned the moves you want, then use the Thunder Stone.

    If you are catching a high-level Pikachu at the Power Plant, it will already know several useful moves, so you can evolve it sooner without much concern.

    Can You Catch Raichu in Pokémon LeafGreen?

    No. Raichu does not appear in the wild in Pokémon LeafGreen. In a normal LeafGreen playthrough without trading, the way to obtain Raichu is to catch Pikachu and evolve it with a Thunder Stone.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you get Pikachu before Brock? Yes. Viridian Forest is accessible before Pewter City Gym, so you can catch Pikachu before your first Gym battle. The encounter rate is low at around 5%, so be patient.

    Is Pikachu rare in Viridian Forest? Yes. With a roughly 5% encounter rate, Pikachu is one of the rarer Pokémon in the forest. Caterpie and Weedle make up the majority of encounters.

    Where is the best place to catch Pikachu in LeafGreen? The Power Plant. The encounter rate is around 25% compared to 5% in Viridian Forest, making it much faster to find one. The trade-off is that it requires Surf and is a later-game area.

    How do you get Raichu in Pokémon LeafGreen? Catch a Pikachu anywhere and use a Thunder Stone on it. Raichu cannot be caught in the wild.

    Where do I get a Thunder Stone? The easiest source is the Celadon Department Store, fourth floor, for $2,100. You can also find one as a pickup item in the Power Plant.

    Should I evolve Pikachu into Raichu immediately? Wait until Pikachu knows the moves you want — particularly Thunderbolt at Level 26 — before evolving. Once you use the Thunder Stone, the evolution cannot be undone.

  • Who Is the Strongest Archon in Genshin Impact? Lore Ranking Explained

    Who Is the Strongest Archon in Genshin Impact? Lore Ranking Explained

    HoYoverse has never published an official power ranking for the Archons. There is no tier list, no in-game index, and no developer statement that names one god supreme above the others. What exists is a body of confirmed lore — war records, geographical feats, divine authority events — from which a reasoned ranking can be built. This article builds that ranking and explains exactly what the evidence does and does not support.

    “strongest Archon in Genshin Impact” Has Four Different Answers

    The most common mistake in Genshin power discussions is treating “strongest” as a single, settled question. It isn’t. The answer changes depending on what you’re measuring.

    If the question is best overall combat record, the answer is Zhongli. If the question is strongest single destructive feat, the answer is Raiden Ei. If the question is strongest known Natlan warrior-Archon figure, the answer is Mavuika. If the question is most consequential divine-authority act, the answer is Focalors.

    Conflating these produces the confident-sounding but unsupported claims that often dominate power-scaling discussions. The analysis below treats each Archon on the evidence available.

    Zhongli: The Strongest Overall Lore Record

    Zhongli in Liyue

    If you need one answer grounded in the broadest body of confirmed evidence, Zhongli is it.

    His lore spans thousands of years and covers an unusually wide range of opponents. During the Archon War he fought and defeated numerous rival gods, shaping the political and physical structure of Liyue in the process. After the war, his confirmed victories include defeating Osial with a field of enormous stone lances, sealing Azhdaha beneath the earth after the dragon’s rebellion made him a threat to Liyue, and being one of the powers Orobashi could not overcome before the serpent god fled into the Dark Sea. That last point matters in the Raiden Ei debate: Orobashi’s lore includes earlier defeat or retreat before his later death in Inazuma, so Raiden’s killing blow was not the serpent god’s only major encounter with an Archon-level power.

    No other Archon’s lore produces a comparable résumé. Breadth across history, variety of opponents, and repeated confirmed victories across different eras — Zhongli has all three. That is what separates a career record from a single spectacular moment, and it is why “strongest Archon overall” points to Zhongli when the question is strictly about what the lore confirms.

    Raiden Ei: The Strongest Single Feat

    Musoujin Gorge on Yashiori Island

    Raiden Ei holds the most geographically dramatic confirmed feat of any Archon. When Musou no Hitotachi struck Orobashi on Yashiori Island, it did not merely kill the serpent god — it cleaved the island, creating the canyon now called Musoujin Gorge. That strike permanently altered the physical map of Inazuma. Among the known Archons, Raiden Ei has the clearest single-strike confirmed “one blow changed the terrain” feat.

    The honest framing is this: Raiden Ei may have the highest single-attack ceiling of any Archon. The question is whether one world-altering strike constitutes a stronger overall record than Zhongli’s millennia-spanning body of victories. It doesn’t — but it does make Raiden the strongest challenger to Zhongli’s placement and the correct answer whenever the specific question is about raw destructive output. For players looking to reflect that power in gameplay, our Raiden build guide covers how to maximize her burst damage.

    Mavuika: Top-Tier Contender, Not Confirmed Supreme

    Mavuika, the current Pyro Archon of Natlan in Genshin Impact

    Mavuika entered the story as Natlan’s current Pyro Archon and the holder of the title God of War. Her lore profile explicitly describes her as the pinnacle of Natlan’s strength. That language strongly places her in the top tier of the power conversation.

    The critical word is “Natlan’s.” That descriptor is a regional superlative, not a cross-continental one. The game has not produced a direct comparison between Mavuika and Zhongli or Raiden Ei, and treating a nation-specific label as a global confirmation would overreach what the text actually states. She belongs in every serious top-tier discussion — but the current evidence does not clearly place her above Zhongli’s career record or Raiden’s single-strike ceiling. Writing “Mavuika is officially the strongest Archon” is not supported by the lore.

    Focalors: Divine Authority, Not a Combat Record

    Focalors executed one of the most consequential acts in the game’s story. Over centuries, she maintained a deception designed to fool the Heavenly Principles, destroyed the divine throne of the Hydro Archon, and transferred elemental authority over Hydro to the dragon sovereign Neuvillette. The scale of planning and the divine implications of dismantling an Archon’s throne are genuinely extraordinary.

    This is, however, a feat of strategy and systemic manipulation — not combat strength. Focalors is never presented as a frontline war Archon, and the Fontaine arc gives her no combat résumé comparable to Zhongli or Raiden’s. Her power is best understood as exceptional divine cunning and institutional authority. Placing her above the others on raw combat grounds would require importing a combat interpretation onto a feat that is explicitly non-combat in nature.

    Nahida and Venti: Why They Rank Lower

    Nahida’s power is tied to Irminsul, dreams, memory, and knowledge rather than direct battlefield dominance. She is not presented as a war Archon at any point in her arc. Her connection to Irminsul makes her extraordinarily significant in worldbuilding terms, but that influence operates on an informational and consciousness level, not through direct martial force. She is a god of wisdom, and her story reflects that distinction consistently.

    Venti is the most contested case because his historical feats — reshaping Mondstadt’s landscape and hurling or splitting mountains during Barbatos’ terraforming of the region — are genuinely impressive, and many players argue he conceals more power than he shows. The complicating factor is that Venti himself, in confirmed lore, explicitly calls himself the weakest of the Archons. A self-assessment from a primary in-universe source carries significant weight. Until HoYoverse produces story content that contradicts or recontextualizes that claim, the defensible position is to rank Venti last among the fully introduced Archons discussed here — while acknowledging that his true ceiling remains an open question.

    Final Ranking

    This ranking covers the fully introduced Archons with enough confirmed lore to compare. The Tsaritsa is excluded until HoYoverse provides more direct evidence about her combat record.

    Rank Archon Basis
    1 Zhongli / Morax Broadest confirmed history of god-level victories across the Archon War and beyond.
    2 Raiden Ei Strongest single confirmed feat: one strike killed Orobashi and reshaped Yashiori Island.
    3 Mavuika Current God of War and Natlan’s described pinnacle of strength — not yet directly compared to Zhongli or Raiden.
    4 Focalors Massive divine-authority feat, but categorically strategic rather than combat-based.
    5 Nahida Profound power through Irminsul, dreams, memory, and knowledge; not presented as a combat Archon.
    6 Venti Historical feats are notable, but Venti himself describes his current Archon strength as the weakest among The Seven.

    What the Evidence Does Not Support

    These are the claims that appear frequently and are not backed by confirmed lore.

    “HoYoverse confirmed Zhongli is the strongest Archon” — No such confirmation exists; this is an inference from the lore record. “Mavuika is officially the strongest Archon” — her title applies to Natlan specifically, not across all seven nations. “Raiden is stronger than Zhongli, confirmed” — one larger single feat does not override a broader historical record. “Venti is hiding his true power” — possible, but speculation; current text does not support it.

    The accurate framing in each case: Zhongli has the strongest confirmed overall record. Raiden Ei has the strongest single confirmed feat. Mavuika is a legitimate top-tier contender whose full standing relative to the others remains unsettled. Future story content — particularly anything that provides direct cross-Archon comparisons — can and likely will shift this ranking.

  • GTA 6 Pre-Order Date Reportedly Leaks Through Best Buy Email

    GTA 6 Pre-Order Date Reportedly Leaks Through Best Buy Email

    A reported Best Buy affiliate email has sparked fresh GTA 6 pre-order speculation after referencing a physical pre-order campaign running from May 18 to May 21, 2026. Insider Gaming reported that it received the email from two independent affiliates, while 9to5Toys separately reported that it also received the same message. Rockstar Games, however, has not officially announced a GTA 6 pre-order date — the game’s official page still only offers wishlist links for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no “Pre-order Now” button in sight.

    Zelnick later confirmed at the Q4 earnings call on May 21 that pre-orders have not opened and called the Best Buy email an error.

    What the Best Buy Email Reportedly Said

    The leaked email, circulating among Best Buy affiliates, specifically references “GTA 6 Pre Order (Physical Game)” as a featured promotional item. The campaign window runs May 18 through May 21, 2026, with affiliates reportedly offered a 5% commission on qualifying pre-order purchases.

    Insider Gaming reported that it received the email forwarded from two independent affiliates — and noted those emails originated from Impact, the affiliate platform used by Best Buy’s creator and publisher program. 9to5Toys separately reported receiving the same email, bringing a second outlet into the verification chain.

    GTA 6 pre order date Raul

    Affiliate campaigns like this are usually prepared ahead of retail promotions, which is why the email carries more weight than a random social media rumor. Best Buy’s affiliate program is a structured creator and publisher channel with commission links, tracking, promotions, and Impact dashboard support. Still, the email does not amount to an official announcement from Rockstar, Take-Two, or Best Buy, and it could still reflect an early setup, placeholder, or retail-side mistake. The email may suggest that retail partners are preparing for a scheduled pre-order window, but it does not prove Rockstar has publicly locked the date.

    Has Rockstar Confirmed GTA 6 Pre-Orders?

    No. As of this writing, Rockstar’s official GTA 6 page lists the game’s November 19, 2026 release date for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, along with previously released trailers and a wishlist option. There is no pre-order button, no announced pre-order date, and no statement from Rockstar or parent company Take-Two Interactive addressing the Best Buy email.

    The editorial distinction matters: this is a reported, partially verified leak — not an official announcement. Characterizing it as confirmed would be factually inaccurate based on the available evidence.

    Why Fans Think Trailer 3 Could Be Close

    The May 18 date has also fueled fan speculation that Rockstar could release Trailer 3 around the same window, but no official trailer date has been announced.

    The timing adds circumstantial weight to that theory. Take-Two Interactive has officially confirmed its Q4 and full fiscal year 2026 earnings call for May 21, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET. If pre-orders are live by then, the call could become the first investor-facing moment where Take-Two is asked about Rockstar’s rollout, even though Rockstar has not publicly signaled that sequence.

    That said, no Trailer 3 date has been announced by Rockstar. No executive has teased it publicly. The connection between the pre-order window and a potential trailer drop is fan inference layered on top of an already-unconfirmed pre-order date — plausible speculation, not a secondary leak.

    What Is Officially Confirmed About GTA 6

    Separating confirmed facts from circulating speculation:

    Detail Status
    Release date: November 19, 2026 Confirmed — listed on Rockstar’s official GTA 6 page
    Platforms: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S Confirmed — stated officially by Rockstar
    Pre-order start date: May 18, 2026 Leaked / partially verified — sourced from Best Buy affiliate email; not confirmed by Rockstar
    Best Buy affiliate email Partially verified — multiple outlets report receiving or verifying the same affiliate email
    Trailer 3 releasing with pre-orders Unverified — fan speculation; no official announcement exists
    GTA 6 retail price Unverified — Rockstar has not announced pricing; Take-Two comments have only pointed to broader premium-game pricing context, not a confirmed GTA 6 price

    PC availability has also not been announced for launch. The official page only references console platforms — and Take-Two’s CEO has explained why GTA 6 is launching on consoles first.

    What Happens Next

    If the May 18 date holds, GTA 6 pre-orders would open roughly six months before the game’s November 19 release. That would give retailers and Take-Two several months of pre-release sales activity before launch.

    The May 21 Take-Two earnings call is the next major date to watch. If pre-orders are live by then, the call could become the first investor-facing moment where Take-Two is asked about Rockstar’s rollout. If nothing happens on May 18, the Best Buy email will likely be remembered as an early setup, placeholder, or retail-side mistake rather than a confirmed pre-order leak.

    Until Rockstar updates its official page from “Wishlist Now” to “Pre-order Now,” the May 18 date remains a credible retailer-adjacent leak — strong enough to report carefully, but not official enough to treat as settled.

  • GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    Classic GTA Vice City fails silently on Windows 10/11 — no crash dialog, no error message — because it was built for Windows 98/XP-era systems. The causes are compatibility mode mismatches, display initialization failure, Data Execution Prevention (DEP), or a corrupted settings file. None of these require reinstalling. Work through the fixes below in order.

    Which Version Do You Have?

    This matters before applying any fix.

    Classic GTA Vice City — runs via gta-vc.exe. Every fix in this guide applies to this version.

    GTA Vice City – The Definitive Edition — a separate modern release with different requirements: Windows 10 64-bit, GTX 760 or R9 280-class GPU, 8GB RAM, 45GB storage, DirectX, Chromium, Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1, and a Rockstar account. None of the classic fixes below apply to it, and SilentPatch explicitly does not support it.

    Check your Steam Library or Rockstar Launcher for the exact title before proceeding.

    Fix 1: Launch gta-vc.exe Directly From the Install Folder

    Steam can invoke the executable incorrectly and fail without surfacing any error. This bypasses that entirely.

    Steam default path:

    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto Vice City\

    Rockstar Launcher: navigate to whichever install path you chose during setup.

    Find gta-vc.exe and double-click it directly. If the game opens this way, the issue is likely with Steam’s launch path or with compatibility settings not being applied through Steam.

    Fix 2: Set gta-vc.exe to Compatibility Mode

    Right-click gta-vc.exe → Properties → Compatibility → check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:”

    Test these in order, applying and relaunching after each:

    GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    1. Windows 8
    2. Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
    3. Windows 98 / Windows Me

    Windows XP SP3 and Windows 98/Me are both worth testing. Different installs behave differently, especially between Steam and older disc versions.

    Fix 3: Enable 640×480 Resolution Once to Clear Display Initialization

    Vice City silently aborts startup when it cannot resolve a valid display mode. Setting it to 640×480 forces the lowest safe mode and lets it get past that block.

    1. Right-click gta-vc.exe → Properties → Compatibility
    2. Check “Run in 640 × 480 screen resolution”
    3. Apply → Launch the game
    4. Once inside, return and uncheck this option

    This is a one-time initialization workaround, not a permanent display setting.

    Fix 4: Rename the Settings File

    Vice City stores display and control settings in gta_vc.set. If this file was written under a different Windows version or display configuration, the game can refuse to open silently rather than reporting an error.

    File location:

    Documents\GTA Vice City User Files\gta_vc.set

    GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    Rename it to gta_vc_old.set. The game recreates a clean file on next launch. If this resolves the issue, the original file was corrupted and can be deleted.

    Fix 5: Black Screen When Loading a Saved Game

    If GTA Vice City opens but turns black when you load a saved game, the problem is different from a silent startup failure. Rockstar says this can happen when cheats were used and active while saving. Their official workaround is to delete gta_vc.set from Documents\GTA Vice City User Files, launch the game, and start a new game before loading anything else. If the saved file itself was damaged by cheat codes usage, resetting the settings file may not recover that save.

    Fix 6: Resolve the DEP Conflict — Exception or SilentPatch

    Windows Data Execution Prevention (DEP) can terminate Vice City at startup without producing any visible error, particularly when DEP is configured to cover all programs. Two ways to resolve it:

    Option A: Add a DEP Exception

    1. Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings
    2. Under Performance → Settings → Data Execution Prevention tab
    3. Select “Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select”
    4. Click Add → navigate to gta-vc.exe
    5. Apply → Restart

    GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    Do not disable DEP system-wide. Add only the game executable as an exception.

    Option B: SilentPatch + DDraw Component

    SilentPatch is the strongest community fix for the classic PC version on Windows 10/11. It removes Vice City’s dependency on legacy DirectPlay components, improves compatibility with Windows 8 and newer, and prevents startup crashes when DEP is enabled for all applications. The separate DDraw Component helps with DirectDraw rendering on modern systems. Install both only on the classic PC version by placing the files in the game’s root folder next to gta-vc.exe. SilentPatch does not support GTA Vice City – The Definitive Edition.

    Fix 7: Verify Game Files

    Corrupted or incomplete game files cause silent launch failures. Run verification before considering a reinstall.

    Steam: Library → Right-click Grand Theft Auto: Vice City → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files

    Rockstar Launcher: Settings → My Installed Games → Vice City → Verify Integrity

    GTA Vice City Not Launching on PC? Fix No Error, Black Screen, and Loading Issues

    Verification replaces only the files that fail the check. Saves and settings are not affected.

    Rockstar Games Launcher: The Verify Integrity option is only available for copies purchased directly through the Rockstar Games Launcher. If you own classic GTA Vice City on Steam, use the Steam method above.

    Fix 8: Reinstall — Back Up Saves First

    If verification finds nothing and the game still does not launch, a clean reinstall is the last step.

    Before uninstalling, back up your saves:

    Documents\GTA Vice City User Files

    Copy this entire folder to a separate location. After reinstalling, paste it back. Your saves will be intact.

    What Not to Do

    Action Why it’s wrong
    Download missing DLL files from third-party sites Unsafe and unnecessary. Steam and Rockstar file verification handle legitimate missing files.
    Treat GPU driver updates as the primary fix Driver updates may help display problems, but they are not the main fix for compatibility, DEP, or settings-file failures.
    Apply the old Rockstar Vice City patch by default Rockstar says the patch targets a specific graphical corruption issue, and users without that issue do not need it.
    Use SilentPatch on the Definitive Edition SilentPatch’s documentation says the Definitive Edition is not supported.
    Treat this as a new bug This is a long-running classic-game compatibility problem, not a recent broken update.
  • Subnautica 2 Reportedly Leaks Online Ahead of Early Access Launch

    Subnautica 2 Reportedly Leaks Online Ahead of Early Access Launch

    Subnautica 2 has reportedly leaked online. Ahead of its May 14 Early Access launch, reports claim files presented as a playable build, along with screenshots, are circulating on piracy sites. Unknown Worlds and Krafton have not publicly addressed the reported leak at the time of writing.

    The reports avoid treating the leaked build as officially confirmed. Kotaku and Neowin both framed the situation cautiously, and IGN also covered the story.

    What Is Actually Out There

    Kotaku reports that files for a build of Subnautica 2 are circulating online, alongside screenshots — with some images described by users as never-before-seen. Kotaku’s Lewis Parker was clear that the legitimacy of the leak could not be fully verified. Neowin similarly framed the situation carefully, reporting that game files are reportedly circulating among piracy groups ahead of the May 14 launch.

    Subnautica 2 Early Access global launch times

    Kotaku reported that signs appear to point toward the cracking group DenuvOwO, based on Discord activity showing that several users appeared to know about a leaked build before wider reporting picked up. However, the outlet also made clear that the source of the leak has not been confirmed. None of the reports identifies exactly how the build surfaced. Kotaku said the origin remains unknown, while Neowin framed the situation as another possible pre-launch leak following recent reports around Forza Horizon 6.

    Unknown Worlds opened pre-purchase and pre-load on Steam 72 hours before launch. That timing has drawn attention, but as Kotaku noted, Playground Games confirmed that Forza Horizon 6’s leak was not the result of a pre-load issue. There is currently no confirmation that Subnautica 2’s pre-load caused the reported leak.

    Why This Leak Is Especially Damaging

    Subnautica 2 reaching May 14 is not a straightforward story. It is the result of a months-long legal battle that would be dramatic even by gaming industry standards.

    In July 2025, publisher Krafton delayed the game from 2025 to 2026 and fired Unknown Worlds co-founders Charlie Cleveland and Max McGuire, along with CEO Ted Gill. Reports and litigation centered on a $250 million earnout tied to 2025 targets, with former leadership alleging the delay affected that payout. Krafton disputed the financial motive throughout the legal proceedings.

    A leaked internal document from the same period — confirmed as authentic by Krafton — showed the early access build had been assessed as lacking polish and market impact. That document became public evidence in the legal dispute.

    In March 2026, a Delaware court ruled against Krafton on the studio-control dispute, ordered Ted Gill reinstated as CEO, and extended the period in which the earnout criteria could be met. The broader earnout and damages questions were not fully resolved at that point. The May 14 Early Access date was announced not long after. Even that announcement became contentious — Gill accused Krafton of leaking the date in violation of Vice Chancellor Lori Will’s order.

    By April 2026, Subnautica 2 had removed Krafton as its named publisher from Steam and Epic storefronts. However, Unknown Worlds staff later said Krafton was still helping with launch support and described the situation as co-publishing.

    The game went into pre-load with over five million Steam wishlists behind it. For Subnautica 2 specifically, the timing is especially difficult: the reported leak comes days after the game cleared major legal obstacles that had delayed its Early Access launch.

    Part of a Bigger Pattern This Week: Forza Horizon 6 Leaked First

    Subnautica 2 is the third major game to reportedly leak in three days, and it follows a very similar pattern to what happened with Forza Horizon 6 earlier this week.

    Forza Horizon 6, set for general release on May 19, reportedly had unencrypted files — around 155GB — made accessible through Steam on May 10, nine days before launch. Reports claimed the files were not protected in the way a preload would normally be encrypted ahead of release, and the situation spread quickly across piracy communities. Playground Games issued a public statement confirming the leak was not a pre-load issue, and announced that the studio would apply franchise-wide and hardware bans to any players found accessing the leaked build.

    The reason the Forza comparison matters for Subnautica 2 is this: both games went into pre-load before their respective leaks surfaced, and in both cases that connection was publicly questioned. Playground Games ruled out the pre-load as the cause for Forza Horizon 6. There is currently no equivalent statement from Unknown Worlds on what caused the Subnautica 2 reports to surface.

    Directive 8020 from Supermassive Games also reportedly leaked ahead of its May 12 launch. Neowin framed all three incidents as part of the same wave. The pattern has renewed debate around PC DRM and pre-release access — and raises questions about how builds are reaching piracy groups before launch day.

    What You Should Do

    If you already pre-ordered, the pre-load is live and the game unlocks May 14. Nothing in the reports suggests legitimate pre-orders or launch access have changed.

    If you were on the fence, the $29.99 price and day-one availability through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass make the official version easy to access without resorting to risky unofficial files.

  • Directive 8020 Is Out Now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

    Directive 8020 Is Out Now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

    Directive 8020 is out today. Supermassive Games — the award-winning studio behind Until Dawn and The Quarry — has launched its latest interactive horror title on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. It is the fifth entry in the Dark Pictures series and takes the anthology into space for the first time. Bandai Namco describes it as a “The Thing… in space” sci-fi survival horror, evolving the Dark Pictures formula with real-time threats, stealth, and a new decision-rewind system called Turning Points. Early reviews are in, and the consensus lands where Dark Pictures games usually do: mixed-to-positive, with strong atmosphere on one side and uneven execution on the other.

    What Is Directive 8020?

    Set in a dying future, Directive 8020 follows the crew of the colony ship Cassiopeia after it crash lands on Tau Ceti f — a distant planet 12 light years from Earth, seen as humanity’s last real hope for survival. The crew quickly realizes they are not alone. An alien organism capable of perfectly mimicking its prey has come aboard. Trust collapses. Characters who have trained and worked together turn on one another. Nobody on the Cassiopeia can be trusted, and every decision the player makes shapes who lives and who dies.

    The setup draws directly from two landmark sci-fi horror films — Alien and John Carpenter’s The Thing — and Bandai Namco’s own launch copy names The Thing explicitly as an influence. The paranoia mechanics, the claustrophobic ship, and the mimicking alien threat are all in clear debt to both.

    Like every Dark Pictures game, Directive 8020 is built around branching choices, quick-time events, and permadeath. The new addition this time is Turning Points — an in-game story tree that lets players rewind specific decisions and explore different outcomes without replaying the entire game from scratch. Supermassive frames it as a way to uncover multiple endings and unlock hidden paths across replays.

    Starring Lashana Lynch — known for No Time to Die, Bob Marley: One Love, and The Woman King — as pilot Brianna Young, Directive 8020 is positioned as the series’ most cinematic and character-driven entry yet.

    Creative Director Will Doyle described the launch this way: “With Directive 8020, we’ve taken our signature horror narrative and everything we love about cinematic storytelling, pushing it all into new territory. We’re incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished, and bringing our storytelling into a sci-fi setting for the first time has been a hugely exciting step.”

    Platforms and Release Details

    Directive 8020

    Directive 8020 is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. It launched May 12, 2026, developed and published by Supermassive Games. The standard price is listed at $49.99 in the U.S., though PC storefront discounts may vary by platform and region.

    No PS4 or Xbox One versions have been announced or confirmed.

    Direct purchase links:

    Does Directive 8020 Have Multiplayer?

    Yes, with a distinction worth understanding before you buy.

    Couch co-op for up to five players is available at launch under the name Movie Night mode. Each player takes control of a different crew member, creating natural paranoia when the alien could be hiding in any of them. The format is well-suited to the game’s core premise.

    Online multiplayer is confirmed but coming in a post-launch update. No specific date has been attached to it. If online play is your primary reason for buying, it is worth waiting until that mode is live.

    What Critics Are Saying

    Directive 8020 critics

    At the time of checking, Directive 8020 holds a score of 71 on Metacritic based on 47 critic reviews on PS5 — categorized as “Mixed or Average” — and a 76 on OpenCritic with 62% of critics recommending it. Both figures may update as further reviews arrive. The reception is broadly in line with the series’ historically mixed-to-positive standing.

    PC Gamer’s review, headlined “One giant leap for sci-fi body horror,” lands on the positive side. The reviewer described the branching chaos of Directive 8020’s decision-making as exactly the kind of tense, reactive horror Supermassive’s format is built for.

    TechRadar called it “a welcome, but safe, evolution” of the Dark Pictures formula, praising improved visuals, new stealth elements, and a more forgiving gameplay experience through Turning Points. The caveat is equally clear: the game leans into traditional survival horror elements but does not quite hit the mark against the heavier hitters in the sci-fi horror genre. TechRadar also recommended using the Turning Points rewind feature sparingly, noting that overusing it softens the weight of the choices it lets you undo.

    GamesRadar landed in the middle. Their review — headlined “I’ve seen this movie before” — described “chills and heart-stopping thrills aplenty” alongside consistent complaints about pacing issues, plot armor, and the promising but inconsistently implemented stealth. Their conclusion: it is neither the best nor the worst Dark Pictures game.

    Creative Bloq took the sharpest position of the four. Their review acknowledged believable virtual actors and a sci-fi horror setup that is at once familiar and fresh, but concluded that the game’s focus on survival-horror gameplay over meaningful, choice-driven narrative dilutes what made Supermassive’s cinematic horror formula distinctive in the first place.

    Is Directive 8020 Worth Playing?

    Directive 8020 is worth playing if you have enjoyed previous Dark Pictures or Supermassive games, want a sci-fi horror experience built around paranoia and branching choices rather than combat, and are willing to accept that the stealth sections are the game’s weakest element. The Turning Points system makes revisiting choices less tedious than in previous entries, and the Cassiopeia setting is one of the series’ stronger backdrops.

    It is harder to recommend at full price if you are not already invested in the Supermassive formula. Reported playtime varies across reviews, with some finishing in around five hours and others describing a longer run. The mixed critical consensus reflects real unevenness: stealth gameplay that reviewers consistently flag as repetitive, pacing issues flagged across multiple outlets, and a game that works better in concept than in parts of its execution.

    For Movie Night couch co-op play specifically — five players, each controlling a different character, with a shapeshifting alien hiding among them — the format is well-suited to what Directive 8020 is built around. That is the version of this game most likely to deliver on its premise.

    Directive 8020 is worth watching closely if you like Supermassive’s interactive horror formula and want a sci-fi spin built around paranoia, shapeshifting aliens, and branching choices. Early reviews suggest a bold but uneven evolution: stronger atmosphere and choice systems, weaker stealth execution and pacing. That makes it a good fit for Dark Pictures fans, but not an automatic buy for players expecting a full survival-horror experience like Alien: Isolation.

  • Retailer Lists July 10 Release Date for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2

    Retailer Lists July 10 Release Date for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Switch 2

    A Canadian retailer has listed Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 with a July 10, 2026 estimated ship date, according to reports from multiple gaming outlets. The listing drew attention because it was one of the clearest specific retail dates attached to the long-awaited Switch 2 port — but the same page has since changed to show December 31, 2026, raising serious questions about how reliable the original date ever was.

    Bandai Namco and Nintendo both continue to list the game with a 2026 release window only. Neither has published an exact date.

    What is officially confirmed

    Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Both Bandai Namco and Nintendo list it on their official pages with a broad 2026 window and no specific date attached.

    The package includes the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. Nintendo‘s product page lists additional content including new weapons, armour, and Torrent skins. Bandai Namco‘s page says the edition includes the original game, Shadow of the Erdtree, new armor, and customization features for Torrent’s appearance.

    The game was originally expected in 2025. FromSoftware confirmed the delay themselves, stating the port was pushed to 2026. From Software said the delay was needed to allow more time for performance adjustments.

    Where the July 10 date came from

    Retailer Lists July 10 Release Date for Elden Ring

    PNP Games, a Canadian retailer, listed Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition for Switch 2 with an estimated ship date of July 10, 2026. The listing also showed a preorder price of approximately CAD $109.99.

    Wccftech, Notebookcheck, and Twisted Voxel all reported on the listing. Wccftech connected it to the earlier performance delay, noting the date could still be a placeholder. Notebookcheck flagged the price point and Game-Key Card concerns alongside its cautious framing of the July window. Twisted Voxel was the most direct, explicitly stating that neither FromSoftware nor Bandai Namco had officially confirmed any launch date.

    All three outlets were working from the same retailer listing. None had independent confirmation from the publisher.

    The problem: the listing has already changed

    The PNP Games page no longer shows July 10. The product listing now displays an estimated ship date of December 31, 2026, while the product information field also reads “Release Date December 31, 2026.” December 31 is commonly treated as a placeholder-style date in retail listings when only a release year is known, so the changed listing makes the July 10 date harder to treat as reliable. The page also still contains outdated copy saying the game arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, despite the official delay to 2026.

    It now points away from treating July 10 as reliable evidence of a locked release date.

    How to read the sourcing

    Confirmed by official sources: The game is coming to Switch 2 in 2026, includes the base game and Shadow of the Erdtree, and was delayed from 2025 due to performance adjustments acknowledged by FromSoftware.

    Unconfirmed: The July 10 date. It came from a single retailer listing that has since changed to a placeholder-style date. No official source has corroborated it.

    Treat with caution: The CAD $109.99 price. It appeared on the same retailer listing tied to the July 10 reports. Amazon separately listed the game at $79.99 in April with no release date attached. Until Bandai Namco announces official pricing, both figures should be treated as unofficial.

    What to watch for next

    The only sources that will confirm a real launch date are Bandai Namco, FromSoftware, and Nintendo directly. Given that the delay was tied to performance adjustments, a follow-up statement from FromSoftware or Bandai Namco would be the most credible signal that a specific date is close to being locked in.

    A Nintendo Direct or Bandai Namco showcase announcement remains the other likely vehicle. Until one of those happens, 2026 is the only date worth treating as real.

  • Call of the Elder Gods Reviews: Is It Worth Playing?

    Call of the Elder Gods Reviews: Is It Worth Playing?

    The short answer: Call of the Elder Gods is a confident, atmospheric puzzle-adventure sequel that succeeds on its own terms. Critics broadly agree that its puzzle design is one of the sequel’s strongest upgrades. Its narrative is divisive. Its presentation is stunning. If you know what you’re getting into — a deliberate, dialogue-heavy, first-person mystery with no combat — it delivers. If you came for a stronger story than Call of the Sea or expected horror action, you may be let down.

    Call of the Elder Gods game launched on May 12, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC, with day-one availability on Game Pass.

    What the critic consensus shows

    I reviewed the main critic consensus on OpenCritic and several major published reviews available at the time of writing, including GameSpew, DualShockers, Creative Bloq, But Why Tho, Gamer Social Club, and InGameNews. At the time of writing, 15 critics had scored the game on OpenCritic. Among the listed reviews, Xbox Achievements sits at the lower end with 75%, while DualShockers is the most enthusiastic outlier at 10/10. What emerges is a game with one area of near-unanimous agreement — the puzzles — and one area of genuine disagreement: whether the story and world-building match what Out of the Blue delivered in Call of the Sea.

    Story and setting: globe-trotting is a double-edged sword

    Harry Everhart and Evangeline Drayton — the game’s two lead characters. Screenshot via GameSpew

    Call of the Elder Gods is set years after the events of Call of the Sea. You play as Evangeline Drayton, daughter of Frank Drayton from the original expedition, alongside the returning Professor Harry Everhart — Norah’s husband, now a grief-stricken, haunted man after losing his wife. Several reviews note that the sequel follows a specific ending from Call of the Sea, so returning players will get more out of the story. New players are provided recap support, but TheSixthAxis still recommends playing the original first.

    Where Call of the Sea was rooted in one cohesive island, Call of the Elder Gods sends Harry and Evie across the world: Boston, Svalbard, Australia, an abandoned Nazi compound with eldritch experiments, and stranger places beyond. DualShockers drew direct comparisons to Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness and The Call of Cthulhu for how it handles stone cities and expedition structure.

    The divide in reviews is real. GameSpew and Creative Bloq both note that frequent location shifts produce a world that feels broader but less immersive than the first game. PSX Brasil and IGN Italy push back — IGN Italy called it “a surprisingly intimate and poetic lens” on Lovecraftian lore, praising its handling of grief and the afterlife. DualShockers went furthest, giving it 10/10 and calling the story “equal parts eerie, mysterious and altogether charming.”

    The two lead characters earn consistent praise across the board. Harry’s grief and Evangeline’s cautious optimism are described as a compelling contrast, and their relationship builds into something genuinely affecting. But Why Tho specifically called out how their mutual dependency is the core emotional engine of the game.

    Puzzles: the strongest element by consensus

    Call of the Elder Gods

    If one thing unites the major reviews, it’s the puzzle design — more layered than Call of the Sea’s object-based mechanics, more satisfying to complete, and more tightly tied to the Lovecraftian themes of the setting. Creative Bloq, whose review is headlined “brilliant puzzles buried inside an oddly cosy cosmic horror,” treats the design as the game’s primary achievement.

    The hint system gets specific praise from GameSpew as a meaningful improvement over the first game, which had none. That said, GameSpew also notes the hint solutions aren’t always well-explained, and TheSixthAxis and GameMAG both flag individual puzzles that tip from challenging into obscure. The overall design is strong; the outliers are frustrating rather than satisfying. IGN Italy raised an additional structural concern most reviews didn’t: the dual-protagonist mechanic feels underutilized in practice despite being interesting on paper.

    Presentation: widely praised, with a few caveats

    The visual and audio presentation draws near-universal admiration. But Why Tho called the art style “gorgeously cartoonish” and praised the orchestral soundtrack. DualShockers described the environments as “breathtaking,” noting the team’s ability to generate uneasy dread while maintaining the whimsical warmth that defined Call of the Sea. The game runs on Unreal Engine 5, and Creative Bloq — reviewing the Xbox Series X|S version — cited “bold and colourful visual design” as a standout strength.

    The recurring caveat is the 2D cutscene style. DualShockers found it “a tad outdated,” though stopped short of calling it a serious problem. DayOne described the cutscenes as feeling “out of place.” Outside of those cutscene complaints, the broader presentation is one of the most consistently praised parts of the game.

    The full critic breakdown

    DualShockers · 10/10 — Called it the “first great Lovecraft game of 2026.” Praised story, atmosphere, and presentation. Minor criticism of the 2D cutscene style.

    PSX Brasil · 84/100 — Praised character writing, Lovecraftian setting, puzzle evolution, art direction, and soundtrack. Noted some visual technical limitations and demanding puzzles.

    IGN Italy · 8/10 — Called it “mature and highly rewarding.” Flagged underutilized dual-protagonist mechanics and occasional puzzle stumbles.

    COGconnected · 80/100 — Praised puzzle cleverness and hint system. Flagged pacing issues and frustration from obscure puzzles.

    Creative Bloq · No score — Outstanding puzzles, visual design, and lead characters. The world never feels as deep as the ideas driving it.

    GameSpew · No score — Must-play for puzzle fans. Story weaker than Call of the Sea. Switch 2 version played “beautifully smooth” with no glitches reported.

    GameMAG · 7/10 — Worthy sequel with an engaging story. Several ideas feel unpolished. Review in Russian.

    TheSixthAxis · 7/10 — Very good puzzle adventure. Best puzzles are excellent; some quality dips drag things down. Recommends Call of the Sea first for newcomers.

    Xbox Achievements · 75% — Positive but measured. Among the listed reviews, the lowest numerical score.

    DayOne · No score — Brain teasers are genuinely well-designed; the plot eventually hooks. Criticized 2D cutscenes and deliberate pacing.

    The Call of the Sea comparison

    GameSpew put it plainly: the story is not quite as good as the predecessor, primarily because Call of the Sea’s single-island setting created a depth of immersion the globe-trotting sequel can’t replicate. TheSixthAxis and Creative Bloq land in the same place. The opposing view — held by DualShockers and IGN Italy — is that the sequel is a worthy, even superior evolution, with IGN Italy seeing it as a “mature evolution” that handles grief and loss with unexpected intimacy. Where you land will depend on what you valued most in the first game.

    Switch 2 performance: disputed

    Earlier reporting flagged frame-rate drops and reduced textures on Switch 2. GameSpew, who also reviewed the Switch 2 version, directly contradicts this, calling it “beautifully smooth” with no glitches, and describing handheld play as a genuine treat. Two reviewers on the same platform reaching opposite conclusions means the honest answer is: unclear. So far, the clearest performance disagreement appears to be around Switch 2 rather than Xbox or PS5.

    Who should play this

    Play it if you enjoy first-person puzzle adventures, liked Call of the Sea, have Game Pass, or are drawn to Lovecraftian mystery without needing combat or horror mechanics.

    Skip or wait if you need a strong narrative to stay engaged, find obscure puzzles more frustrating than satisfying, or are on Switch 2 and sensitive to frame-rate inconsistency — wait until more performance data accumulates on that platform.

    The Game Pass case is simple: a 79-average puzzle adventure with roughly 5–10 hours of content depending on puzzle pace costs subscribers nothing extra to try.

  • Forza Horizon 6 Preload Is Live, Storage Requirements Confirmed for Xbox and PC

    Forza Horizon 6 Preload Is Live, Storage Requirements Confirmed for Xbox and PC

    Forza Horizon 6 is available to preload now on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Xbox app. Official listings require between 130GB and 167GB of free storage, depending on platform and storefront. Playground Games lists 135GB on Xbox Series X, 130GB on Xbox Series S, and 160GB on PC via the Xbox app, while Steam lists 167GB of available space for its PC version — with an SSD mandatory on PC regardless of storefront. Premium Edition players get early access on May 15, 2026. The standard launch for Xbox Series X|S and PC follows on May 19, 2026.

    Forza Horizon 6 Storage Requirements by Platform

    These figures are required storage — the free space you need before the install begins — not necessarily the compressed download size your storefront will pull. Actual download sizes can differ due to compression, edition, region, and day-one patches.

    Platform Required Storage
    Xbox Series X 135GB
    Xbox Series S 130GB
    PC via Xbox app 160GB (SSD required)
    PC via Steam 167GB (SSD required)

    PC storage requirements vary slightly by storefront. Playground Games lists 160GB for PC via the Xbox app, while Steam’s store page lists 167GB of available space under both minimum and recommended specs. Both storefronts require an SSD — a hard drive is not supported.

    Some players may see slightly different displayed download sizes before or during installation. The official storage requirements listed above are the safest figures to follow. Displayed download sizes may vary by storefront, package, region, updates, or compression.

    Is Forza Horizon 6 Preload Available Now?

    Yes, for Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Xbox app. Playground Games confirmed the preload is live on both platforms in their official preload post.

    Steam preload was listed as “coming soon” at the time of Playground’s official preload post. Check the Steam store page for the current status before assuming it is available.

    Who Can Preload Forza Horizon 6?

    The following players can pre-download the game ahead of launch:

    • Pre-order buyers on Xbox Series X|S or PC via the Xbox app
    • Game Pass Ultimate subscribers with an active subscription
    • PC Game Pass subscribers with an active subscription
    • Xbox disc pre-orders can initiate the digital preload through the Xbox smartphone app

    If you previously downloaded a placeholder file, check for updates to confirm the full game files are installed.

    Early Access and Full Launch Dates

    Edition Access Date
    Premium Edition / Premium Upgrade May 15, 2026
    Standard Edition — Xbox Series X|S and PC May 19, 2026

    The four-day early access window applies to players who purchased the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade add-on. Standard and Deluxe editions unlock with the full launch on May 19. For regional unlock times and a full breakdown of what each edition includes, see our Forza Horizon 6 early access and start times guide.

    Forza Horizon 6 is available day one through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. A PS5 version is confirmed for later in 2026, but no specific release date has been announced. If you’re planning ahead, we’ve compiled the full list of all 57 Forza Horizon 6 achievements and how to unlock 1,000 Gamerscore.

    Why Steam Players May See a Different Size

    Steam lists 167GB of available space in its system requirements — 7GB more than the 160GB Playground Games published for the Xbox app PC version. Both require an SSD.

    The discrepancy appears to be a storefront listing difference rather than a contradiction. Playground Games lists 160GB for PC in its preload post, while Steam lists 167GB in its own system requirements. Neither listing should be treated as wrong; PC players should follow the requirement shown by the storefront they plan to use.

    Steam may also show different calendar dates depending on how it displays local unlock timing — May 18 for launch and May 14 for Advanced Access have appeared on the US Steam page, compared to the May 19 and May 15 dates on official Forza and Xbox pages. The Playground Games and Xbox dates are the confirmed official figures.

    The Preload Leak: What Playground Games Actually Said

    Separately from the official preload, reports emerged that a pre-release PC build of Forza Horizon 6 appeared online before launch.

    Early coverage linked the situation to Steam files, but Playground Games has since said the leak was not a preload issue. For the full breakdown of what was reported and how it spread, see our coverage: Forza Horizon 6 Reportedly Leaked Online After Unencrypted Files Appeared on Steam.

    Playground issued a statement warning that players who access or distribute the reported leaked build face strict enforcement, including franchise-wide bans and hardware bans. Do not download or run any pre-release build through unofficial channels.

    Playground’s public position is that the leaked build was not caused by the official preload.

    What to Do Before Launch

    • Xbox Series X: Clear at least 135GB of free storage
    • Xbox Series S: Clear at least 130GB of free storage
    • PC via Xbox app: Clear at least 160GB and confirm your install drive is an SSD
    • PC via Steam: Clear at least 167GB and confirm your install drive is an SSD
    • If you downloaded a placeholder file previously, check for a preload update in your library
    • Do not access any unofficial pre-release builds — Playground Games has warned of franchise-wide and hardware bans for doing so
  • Forza Horizon 6 Reportedly Leaked Online After Unencrypted Files Appeared on Steam

    Forza Horizon 6 Reportedly Leaked Online After Unencrypted Files Appeared on Steam

    Some users reportedly claim they are already able to run a leaked build of Forza Horizon 6. Nine days before the game’s official May 19 launch, reports claim that unencrypted files were made accessible through Steam, though Microsoft and Playground Games have not confirmed the incident, its cause, or the scope of the leaked build.

    What Happened

    On May 10, 2026, reports began circulating that unencrypted files for Forza Horizon 6 had been made accessible through Steam. Steam tracking activity reportedly drew attention to the upload, and the situation quickly spread across online communities.

    Forza Horizon 6 SteamDB Depot Activity

    Insider Gaming reported that the leaked upload involved around 155GB of content — reportedly a large build containing thousands of files, though whether it matches the final retail build has not been confirmed.

    Reports claim the files were not properly encrypted in the way a preload would normally be protected ahead of launch. Microsoft and Playground Games have not commented on or confirmed the reports at the time of writing.

    How a Preload Leak Actually Works

    When a game is coming out, developers usually let players download the files a few days early so they are ready to go the moment the launch window opens. Those files are encrypted — locked — so that nothing runs until the developer flips the switch on release day.

    In this case, reports claim the Forza Horizon 6 files were accessible without that protection in place. The game reportedly only had Steam’s standard DRM applied, and online users claimed the build could be run shortly after the files became accessible.

    Reports describe the incident as a possible Steam publishing or preload error, but Microsoft and Playground Games have not confirmed the cause.

    What the Leaked Build Can and Cannot Do

    Playing the leaked build is not the same as playing the full game. Online features are unlikely to be available to players of the leaked build until the official early access launch on May 15. Much of what defines the Horizon series relies on online systems — multiplayer races, live seasonal events, and community sharing tools for liveries and tuning setups. With servers and authentication tied to the official rollout, leaked versions typically cannot access these features.

    DSO Gaming reports that the leaked build can be played in Offline Mode. That means driving around Japan, exploring the map, running races, and accessing the car roster — but without the seasonal content, online multiplayer, and shared community features that are central to how modern Horizon games are played.

    Reported early gameplay footage began circulating online within hours, with users claiming to show the car selection screen, driving through Japan’s roads, and exploring the open world ahead of any planned reveal.

    Directive 8020 Also Reportedly Leaked at the Same Time

    Forza Horizon 6 was not the only game caught up in this. DSO Gaming also reported that Directive 8020 leaked around the same time and was allegedly playable. Directive 8020 is developed by Supermassive Games and was scheduled to launch on May 12, 2026.

    This Already Happened With Death Stranding 2 in March

    This is reportedly the second major game of 2026 to suffer a preload mishap of this kind. Death Stranding 2 reportedly had an almost identical Steam leak in March 2026.

    In the Death Stranding 2 case, around 113GB of files were reportedly uploaded without encryption before the game’s launch. The comparison raises questions about how Steam preload builds are prepared and checked before release.

    Two reported preload incidents in the space of two months raise a real question about whether the current process for managing Steam preloads is reliable enough for high-profile releases.

    The DRM Question This Reopens

    Forza Horizon 6 Steam system requirements showing no Denuvo DRM listed
    Forza Horizon 6’s Steam page lists no Denuvo or additional DRM software — Source: Steam

    The situation raises a question about protection layers. TheGamer reports that Forza Horizon 6 does not use Denuvo, while the Steam listing does not show a Denuvo notice either. Without an additional layer of protection beyond Steam’s standard DRM, the reported build was accessible to online users quickly once the files were out.

    The counterargument is well established. Denuvo has a reputation for impacting PC performance, and its presence has caused backlash from players in the past. Many publishers have moved away from it under community pressure, only to find that standard Steam DRM offers limited protection once the underlying files are accessible.

    The more interesting long-term takeaway may be about server-side gating. Online-dependent games can still hold back key features through server authentication even when local file encryption fails. That approach — limiting functionality through server checks rather than relying solely on local encryption — may become even more common for major releases going forward.

    What It Means for Sales

    According to estimates from Alinea Analytics reported by PC Gamer, Forza Horizon 6 had reportedly surpassed 500,000 Steam preorders as of mid-April, before the leak occurred. That suggests strong demand from legitimate buyers, but it does not prove whether the reported leak will meaningfully affect final sales.

    What is easier to see is the marketing risk. If early footage and assets circulate before launch, planned reveals around the Japan setting, car roster, and online features can lose some of their impact.

    The Marketing Damage

    Forza Horizon 6 Japan open world from the official Steam store page

    Forza Horizon 6 has been heavily promoted around its Japan setting, its car roster, and its scenic open-world routes. A premature playable build threatens planned surprises that would normally land during early access and launch week, when attention is at its highest and first impressions spread fastest.

    The Japan setting was one of the most requested locations in Forza Horizon history. Playground Games built significant anticipation around its recreation of Tokyo and the surrounding countryside. Now, days before anyone was supposed to see it, reported footage has already begun circulating online. The carefully managed reveal of specific areas, cars, and events — timed to maximise impact during early access week — has been partially undermined by what reports describe as a Steam upload or preload mistake.

    Microsoft and Playground Games Have Not Responded

    Microsoft and Playground Games have not publicly commented on the reported situation at the time of writing.

    Whether Microsoft will roll out an update to address the situation is an open question. Once files have been distributed, a follow-up update would not necessarily undo files that were already downloaded.

    What Comes Next

    The official release schedule has not changed. Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026 for PC and Xbox Series X/S. Premium Edition owners get early access from May 15. A PlayStation 5 version is planned for later in 2026. If you are planning ahead for launch, we have the full list of all 57 achievements and how to unlock 1000 Gamerscore ready for you.

    Online features — the seasonal events, multiplayer, community liveries, and tuning setups that are the backbone of the Horizon experience — remain server-gated and will not be available to anyone until Microsoft opens them officially. For most players, that is the game. Driving around Japan alone in offline mode is a fraction of what Forza Horizon 6 is built to be.

    The bigger conversation this leak forces is about process. Two AAA games in two months have had their preload builds exposed through the same type of mistake. At some point, the question stops being about individual human error and starts being about whether the current workflow for preparing Steam preloads is structurally safe for releases of this scale.

    Neither Microsoft nor Valve has addressed that question yet.

    Game Empress will update this article as Microsoft and Playground Games respond.

    Sources: Insider Gaming; Notebookcheck; Neowin; MP1st; Twisted Voxel; DSO Gaming (Directive 8020 confirmation); TheGamer via OpenCritic (Denuvo confirmation); PC Gamer via Alinea Analytics (preorder estimate); GameGPU; EGW News; PartOfStyle; Steam tracking community reports (all May 10–11, 2026).

  • Star Fox Switch 2 amiibo Support Lets Fox, Falco, and Wolf Unlock Battle Banner Cosmetics

    Star Fox Switch 2 amiibo Support Lets Fox, Falco, and Wolf Unlock Battle Banner Cosmetics

    Nintendo Switch 2’s upcoming Star Fox will support amiibo, letting players use Fox, Falco, and Wolf Super Smash Bros. amiibo figures to unlock extra cosmetic rewards. According to Nintendo Life, Nintendo’s Japanese website confirms that compatible amiibo unlock exclusive backgrounds and emblems when placed on the Joy-Con 2 or Switch 2 Pro Controller analog stick.

    The rewards connect with the game’s multiplayer Battle Banner system rather than gameplay progression. Nintendo has confirmed that Star Fox includes a 4-vs-4 Battle Mode for up to eight players, while GameShare allows up to four players to join locally or online through GameChat. Local GameShare also supports compatible sharing with original Nintendo Switch systems.

    Star Fox launches exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on June 25, 2026.

    What Star Fox amiibo Unlock on Switch 2

    The confirmed Star Fox Switch 2 amiibo rewards are cosmetic: additional backgrounds and emblems for the game’s multiplayer Battle Banner. Nintendo Life reports that Nintendo’s Japanese website details the feature, while retailer listings from Amazon, Walmart, and Target also describe the same Battle Banner rewards for Fox, Falco, and Wolf amiibo figures.

    No gameplay bonuses have been confirmed. Nintendo has not announced amiibo-unlocked ships, weapons, playable characters, stat boosts, or Arwing upgrades of any kind. The feature appears designed as a small cosmetic perk for players who already own one of the compatible figures.

    Which amiibo Figures Are Confirmed?

    Star Fox Switch 2 amiibo

    The three confirmed figures are Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, and Wolf O’Donnell — specifically as Fox, Falco, and Wolf Super Smash Bros. amiibo figures. These are existing figures from the Super Smash Bros. series, not new Star Fox-specific releases.

    It is worth noting that Fox and Falco amiibo predate Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, while Wolf’s amiibo was released specifically for that entry. All three are compatible with Star Fox on Switch 2. The safest wording is “Super Smash Bros. amiibo figures” rather than pinning all three to Ultimate specifically.

    Nintendo Life reports that scanning works by placing the figure on the analog stick of the Joy-Con 2 or Switch 2 Pro Controller. Exactly where the NFC reader is located on Switch 2 hardware.

    Are the Rewards Gameplay-Changing?

    No. Nothing confirmed so far gives amiibo owners a competitive advantage in Battle Mode or any other part of the game. The backgrounds and emblems tied to the Battle Banner are display cosmetics — they appear during online matches as a form of player identity, not as in-game power.

    Nintendo has not confirmed any amiibo-gated ships, unlockable characters, weapon upgrades, or anything that would affect how Star Fox or Battle Mode plays. If that changes before or after the June 25 launch, Game Empress will update this article.

    Star Fox Returns as a Switch 2 Exclusive

    Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 is a cinematic reimagining of Star Fox 64, the beloved 1997 Nintendo 64 rail shooter. Nintendo announced the game during a Star Fox Direct on May 6, 2026. The game features a complete visual overhaul built for Switch 2 hardware, new fully voiced dialogue, and an epic orchestral soundtrack.

    The stage layouts are based on the original Star Fox 64 — known as Lylat Wars in Europe and Australia — but the presentation has been expanded significantly with new cutscenes and mission briefings between stages. Fox McCloud, Falco Lombardi, Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare, Wolf O’Donnell, General Pepper, and Andross all return as key figures in the Lylat System conflict.

    Beyond the campaign, the game adds a brand-new multiplayer component:

    Battle Mode — a 4-vs-4 team dogfight mode for up to eight players, splitting participants between Team Star Fox and Team Star Wolf. Three objective-based stages are included: zone control on Corneria, energy crystal collection on Fichina, and cargo retrieval in Sector Y. Matches can be joined through open matchmaking or private lobbies.

    Joy-Con 2 Mouse Controls — players can swap seamlessly between standard button controls and mouse controls using the Joy-Con 2. In Campaign and Challenge Mode, a second player can join as a gunner while the first player handles flying, using one Joy-Con 2 each.

    GameChat Character Avatars and AR Filters — players can appear as Fox McCloud or other Star Fox crew members via an interactive GameChat avatar that mirrors their facial expressions. AR filters add Star Fox-like ears or a Falco-inspired beak that moves when the player talks.

    GameShare — up to four players can join Star Fox locally or online through GameChat using GameShare. Online GameShare requires Nintendo Switch 2, but local GameShare allows compatible sharing with both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch.

    What Nintendo Has Not Announced Yet

    To keep this article clean and accurate, here is a clear list of what Nintendo has not confirmed as of May 10, 2026:

    • No new Star Fox amiibo line has been announced. The confirmed examples are existing Super Smash Bros. amiibo figures of Fox, Falco, and Wolf; Nintendo has not announced a new Star Fox-branded amiibo wave for the Switch 2 release.
    • No gameplay bonuses. No amiibo-unlocked ships, weapons, characters, or stat changes have been confirmed.
    • No full compatibility chart has been published. Retail copy says existing amiibo figures of Star Fox characters can be used and specifically names Fox, Falco, and Wolf, but it does not provide a wider figure-by-figure compatibility chart.
    • No Starlink Arwing toy support. There is no evidence that Starlink: Battle for Atlas Arwing accessories are compatible with Star Fox on Switch 2.
    • No post-launch amiibo wave confirmed. While the possibility of a future Star Fox amiibo line has not been ruled out, nothing has been announced.

    Game Empress will update this article as Nintendo releases further details ahead of the June 25, 2026 launch.

  • PlayStation Is Telling PS4 Players to Upgrade to PS5 Ahead of GTA 6

    PlayStation Is Telling PS4 Players to Upgrade to PS5 Ahead of GTA 6

    PlayStation is no longer being subtle with PS4 owners. Sony is reportedly sending emails and console messages to some PS4 users encouraging them to make the PS4 to PS5 upgrade, with the latest push tied directly to Grand Theft Auto VI.

    The timing is not accidental. Rockstar has officially confirmed that GTA 6 is launching on November 19, 2026, a date Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick reaffirmed at the Q4 earnings call on May 21, and Sony appears to want as many of its remaining PS4 users as possible on current-generation hardware before that date arrives. The game will not be available on PS4 — a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S will be required to play it at launch. If you have been putting off the PS4 to PS5 upgrade, Sony is making it clear the window is narrowing.

    Who Is Getting the Messages?

    The campaign does not appear to be going to every PS4 owner. According to multiple reports, Sony is reaching select users who are likely candidates for the PS4 to PS5 upgrade. Reports point to at least two groups: users with GTA 6 on their PS Store wishlist and some high-playtime GTA 5 players.

    PlayStation Is Telling PS4 Players to Upgrade to PS5

    Some users are receiving the message by email. Others are seeing it land directly in their console’s notification center. The wording, based on screenshots circulating across multiple outlets, is direct:

    “Grand Theft Auto VI is on your wishlist. Get a PlayStation 5 today to be ready for when Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, 2026. Shop PS5 consoles.”

    Push Square reports that emails have gone specifically to “top Grand Theft Auto V” players, while Kotaku also covers Sony emailing PS4 owners and pointing them toward a PS5 purchase ahead of GTA 6’s release. The message format varies — some users receive a full email, others a dashboard notification — but the core ask is the same.

    This Is Not Sony’s First PS4-to-PS5 Nudge This Year

    The GTA 6 campaign is the most visible push so far, but it is not the first. Similar upgrade messages were reported in January 2026, when Insider Gaming published a report on PlayStation sending PS4 users system messages encouraging them to move to PS5, framed around 2025 hits and upcoming 2026 releases. TechRadar covered the same wave, noting that some PS4 owners received messages with QR codes leading to PlayStation’s official site for PS5 pricing and deals.

    What makes the current push different is the specificity of the hook. GTA 6 is a single, unmissable, PS4-incompatible game with a confirmed release date — which makes it far more effective as a call to action than a general “look what you’re missing” message about the 2026 lineup.

    Why GTA 6 Makes the PS4 to PS5 Upgrade Hard to Ignore

    For years, millions of players have remained on PS4. The hardware still runs most cross-generation games, the PS Plus library has kept ticking over, and the cost of upgrading — especially after Sony raised PS5 prices twice in the past year — has kept plenty of users where they are.

    GTA 6 disrupts that logic. It is one of the biggest console releases ever announced, and it is not coming to PS4. For anyone who has been waiting for a compelling reason to upgrade, this is it. Rockstar is launching GTA 6 on consoles first, with no PC date confirmed, which means PS5 is the only option for players who want in at launch.

    Rockstar has confirmed the November 19, 2026 date for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. There is no announced PC release date and no PS4 version. Players who want to experience GTA 6 at launch will need current-generation hardware.

    Sony Has Already Been Pulling Back From PS4

    The upgrade campaign fits a broader pattern. Sony has spent 2026 quietly stepping back from PS4 as a platform priority, and the most concrete signal came from PlayStation’s own PS Plus page.

    PlayStation’s official site states plainly: “From January 2026, PS4 games will be added only intermittently.” That means PS4 games are no longer a regular guaranteed part of the PS Plus Monthly Games or Game Catalog benefit — they will appear occasionally rather than as a guaranteed monthly drop. PS5 titles are now the focus. For anyone still undecided about the PS4 to PS5 upgrade, this is another signal that the platform is being left behind.

    Sony’s own reasoning, shared when the change was announced, was that most of its subscribers had already moved to PS5 and were primarily engaging with PS5 content. The implication for remaining PS4 users is clear: the service is being built for the audience Sony wants to grow, not the audience it is trying to keep on older hardware.

    Sony Also Has a Business Reason to Push This Hard

    The GTA 6 messaging is not only about helping PS4 users plan ahead. It is also straightforwardly strategic for Sony, which is facing genuine pressure on its hardware numbers.

    Reuters reported on May 8, 2026 that Sony sold just 1.5 million PS5 consoles in its most recent fourth fiscal quarter — a 46 percent decline year-over-year. The drop followed consecutive price increases, including a $100 U.S. hike in March 2026, Sony’s second price rise in less than a year, driven by a global surge in memory chip costs. Sony now forecasts that annual gaming revenue will fall 6 percent in the coming fiscal year.

    GTA 6 is the single most obvious catalyst available to reverse that trajectory. Industry analysts have already flagged it as a potential platform booster for Sony heading into the November launch window. A Reuters-cited gaming analyst said he is “more optimistic than Sony” about the impact GTA VI will have on the platform, suggesting the market may be underestimating what a blockbuster at that scale can do for console hardware demand.

    Using GTA 6 as the centrepiece of a PS4 to PS5 upgrade campaign is, from Sony’s perspective, one of the cleanest marketing moves available to it right now.

    What This Does Not Mean

    This campaign does not mean Sony is ending PS4 support imminently. Sony has not announced a shutdown of PS4 services, and PS4 hardware can still access the PlayStation Store, online multiplayer through PS Plus, and previously purchased and redeemed titles.

    What it does signal is where Sony’s focus now sits. The company is actively investing in pushing its remaining last-generation audience forward, and it has chosen the biggest game of 2026 to make that case. For players weighing the PS4 to PS5 upgrade, one remaining question is cost — both the console and the game itself. Take-Two has signalled that GTA 6 is unlikely to cost $100, with a $70–$80 price range looking most probable. Whether that argument lands will depend partly on whether Sony pairs these upgrade messages with future PS5 deals or promotions significant enough to ease the cost for holdouts.

    If you have GTA 6 on your PS4 wishlist and have not yet made the PS4 to PS5 upgrade, there is a reasonable chance that message is already sitting in your notification centre.

  • Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Are Live for Nintendo Switch 2 With a $10 Physical Price Gap

    Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders Are Live for Nintendo Switch 2 With a $10 Physical Price Gap

    The Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 preorder is officially live, and the most interesting wrinkle isn’t the announcement itself — it’s the pricing. Nintendo lists the digital version at $49.99 in the U.S., while physical copies are showing up at retailers such as Best Buy for $59.99. Some retailers are already chipping away at that gap.

    Nintendo unveiled the game during a dedicated Star Fox Direct on May 6, 2026, with a launch date of June 25, 2026, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2.

    What the Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder Includes

    Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders

    Despite the new branding and the Switch 2 exclusivity, Nintendo is positioning this as a modernized take on Star Fox 64, not a wholly new story. The company describes the game as an action-adventure based on the Nintendo 64 classic, updated for Switch 2 with new presentation, modes, and features.

    The list of additions is substantial, though. According to Nintendo’s official listing, the package includes:

    • A complete visual overhaul
    • Fully voiced dialogue and new cutscenes
    • An orchestral soundtrack
    • A new Challenge Mode
    • A 4-vs-4 Battle Mode
    • Joy-Con 2 mouse controls
    • GameChat features with character avatars and AR filters

    The store page also confirms support for TV, tabletop, and handheld modes, an estimated file size of 14.8 GB, 1–2 player local play on a single system, and online play for up to 8 players.

    Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder Pricing Split

    Here’s where preorder shoppers will want to pay attention.

    Physical copies are listed higher at some retailers. Best Buy lists the Switch 2 physical version at $59.99, while GameStop shows $49.99 for digital and $59.99 for new/physical.

    In practice, that $10 gap may not hold for long at every retailer. At the time of writing, deal-tracking outlets including 9to5Toys and Nintendo Everything have flagged Amazon and Walmart preorder discounts bringing the physical version close to the digital price, around $49.94–$50. That’s a retailer-driven discount, not a change to the game’s MSRP, so availability and price can shift quickly. If you want a physical copy at digital pricing, locking it in early is the safer play.

    Where To Find a Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 Preorder

    The Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 preorder is available through Nintendo’s official store and major retailers, with the best option depending on whether you want the cheaper digital version or a physical copy for your collection.

    Nintendo’s official store is the safest place to check the digital version, which is listed at $49.99 in the U.S. For physical copies, Best Buy and GameStop are currently showing the game at $59.99, while Amazon and Walmart discounts may bring the physical version closer to the digital price when those offers are available.

    For most buyers, the Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 preorder choice comes down to price, format, and how much you care about owning a physical copy.

    If price is your main concern, check the discounted physical listings first. If you want the simplest launch-day access, the digital preorder through Nintendo is the cleaner option.

    Online and GameShare Requirements

    A few asterisks worth knowing before you preorder. Nintendo Switch 2 is required to initiate GameShare, and the online features lean on Nintendo Switch Online membership, a Nintendo Account, and GameChat availability. Local GameShare sessions can include both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 systems, but the shared game is only playable during the active session — there’s no permanent copy left behind on the Switch 1 hardware.

    If you’re a Star Fox 64 fan, this looks like Nintendo’s most polished modern version of that story, with new modes and online play attached. If you’re hoping for a wholly new entry in the series, Nintendo’s own framing should temper expectations.

    Either way, the Star Fox Nintendo Switch 2 preorder math is straightforward: Nintendo lists the digital version at $49.99 in the U.S., while physical copies are listed at $59.99 at retailers such as Best Buy and GameStop. Amazon and Walmart discounts may bring the physical version close to digital pricing, but those offers can change quickly. Star Fox launches June 25, 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2.

  • Resident Evil Trailer: Zach Cregger’s Fresh Take Is Creating Buzz Among Viewers

    Resident Evil Trailer: Zach Cregger’s Fresh Take Is Creating Buzz Among Viewers

    Sony’s first trailer for Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil has sparked discussion among horror and video game fans. The upcoming film is the eighth live-action film installment in the Resident Evil movie series, and it looks like the makers are trying a fresh and different approach this time.

    The teaser shows Bryan entering a seemingly abandoned house after becoming caught in a nightmarish situation as he desperately looks for a working phone. He frantically calls his girlfriend, apologizes for getting disconnected earlier, tells her that he loves her and hints that it could be their last conversation.

    The rest of the trailer is filled with creepy and frightening moments, including a a pale, swollen-looking creature in a sewer-like setting. One intense scene shows Bryan running through an empty street while something horrifying is chasing him from the rooftops. The trailer ends with some creatures crashing violently onto the ground.

    Based on the trailer, The trailer still leaves unclear how much the film will lean into traditional zombies versus other infected creatures, and that mystery has made many fans even more curious.

    Director Zach Cregger appears to be aiming for a much scarier and more suspenseful version of the franchise. Cregger has said the film tells an original story set inside the Resident Evil universe, aiming to capture the feeling of playing the games rather than retelling Leon, Claire, or another familiar character’s story.

    The trailer has also drawn online discussion, with viewers discussing how this version feels different. While some viewers have praised the gameplay-inspired details, while others are debating how loosely the movie will connect to established game lore, others are talking about the “fat molded creature” in the sewer.

    One Reddit user wrote, “Might be an odd detail but what REALLY sold me in this trailer is him opening the drawers looking for supplies. It’s a small but great detail from the games and I love it so much. This looks incredible.” Another user wrote, “I actually love that this movie isn’t Resident Evil in story/characters/lore, but instead more inspired by the gameplay and mechanics of the series. Just like RE7 did for the series.”

    About the pale and swollen creature shown in the sewer, one user wrote, “Is the white fat guy in the sewers a Tyrant? I’m curious 🤔.” Another user replied, “That was my first thought: ‘What in the Dunc is this?’”

    Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis, and Johnno Wilson. The movie will hit theaters on September 18, 2026, after Sony previously launched the film’s official website and confirmed the release date.

    With the trailer already sparking excitement among fans, it remains to be seen whether Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil will stand out from past adaptations.