Xbox Handheld Pricing and Release Date Confirmed

Microsoft has finally announced the official pricing for its upcoming handhelds:

• ROG Xbox Ally – £499 GBP / $599 USD

• ROG Xbox Ally X – £799 GBP / $999 USD

Launch Date: October 16, 2025

Back on August 20, 2025, Microsoft confirmed that both handhelds – the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X – will launch globally on October 16, 2025.

This follows the original announcement from June 2025, when Microsoft first revealed it was entering the handheld gaming market with two new devices built in partnership with ASUS.

Built for Xbox Gamers

Designed from the Ground Up

According to ASUS, the handhelds were “built from the ground up,” while Microsoft says it has “dedicated years” to this project. Both devices are designed for comfort and familiarity, featuring contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers for a natural, all-day gaming feel.

Shared Features

• 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen (16:9)

• 120Hz refresh rate with FreeSync Premium

• Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4

• Identical dimensions and button layouts

ROG Xbox Ally: Entry-Level Model

The standard Ally is designed as the more affordable option, targeting casual players.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A

• RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

• Performance: Optimized for 720p gaming (1080p capable)

• Battery: 60Wh

• Ports: Two USB 3.2 Type-C

ROG Xbox Ally X: High-End Option

The Ally X is built for gamers who want more power and endurance.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme

• RAM & Storage: 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD

• Battery: 80Wh

• Ports: One USB 4 Type-C + microSD expansion

• Extra: Double the storage and more powerful hardware than the base Ally

A New Xbox Interface for Handheld Gaming

While both handhelds are technically gaming PCs running Windows, they won’t boot into the standard desktop interface. Instead, Microsoft has developed a custom Xbox front-end designed for handheld use.

This full-screen Xbox UI streamlines performance by stripping away unnecessary Windows processes, freeing up RAM and processing power for faster load times, smoother gameplay, and a more console-like experience.

Grand Theft Auto VI: The First AAAAA-Scale Game in History

Industry insiders argue that Grand Theft Auto VI could redefine what “AAA” means, potentially becoming the first AAAAA game due to its unprecedented scope, scale, and cultural impact. Here’s a tighter, clearer rewrite of the chatter and what it could mean for the industry.

The Case for an AAAAA GTA VI

Insiders say GTA VI isn’t just a bigger AAA game it could push into a new tier. Devolver Digital co-founder Nigel Lowrie told IGN that the scope and scale of Rockstar Games’ title surpass anything the industry has seen. “There are AAA games and then there’s AAAA games, and I’d argue that Grand Theft Auto is potentially the AAAAA game,” he said, emphasizing its massive footprint and the cultural attention it commands.

Gamesight CEO Adam Lieb also notes GTA VI’s outsized presence. “GTA has dominated conversations around launch dates for the last year and a half,” he observed. The game’s reach isn’t confined to its genre; it seeps into broader industry planning as developers hedge their schedules.

The GTA VI Effect on the Industry

Lieb describes a ripple effect: GTA VI’s sheer scope makes it a reference point even for titles that aren’t in the same lane. He points out that the game’s influence bleed can touch everything from multiplayer projects to horror adaptations, creating a sense that studios must consider GTA VI even when planning non-GTA releases. This has led to cautious release-date strategies across publishers, effectively casting a “black cloud” over scheduling decisions.

Release Window Shifts and Competitive Pressure

GTA VI was initially slated for Fall 2025 but has been delayed to May 26, 2026. The delay isn’t unique to Rockstar MangaRoyale reports that other developers with large multiplayer ambitions have likewise pushed dates to avoid clashing with GTA VI’s release, highlighting the game’s outsized impact on competitive timing.

Why This Matters

• The idea of GTA VI as an AAAAA title reframes industry benchmarks for scope, scale, and cultural resonance.
• Its pervasive presence in industry discourse is influencing launch plans across genres, not just within action-adventure or shooter games.
• The market’s timing dynamics are shifting as studios try to avoid being overshadowed by GTA VI’s release window.

Grand Theft Auto VI Trivia

• The term “AAAAA” is being used by industry insiders to describe GTA VI’s unprecedented reach and ambition.
• The “GTA VI effect” refers to how the game’s scale influences launch-date decisions across developers, even in non-E GTA titles.
• A Bloomberg report cited delays from other big multiplayer projects in response to GTA VI’s looming release.
• The official release window for GTA VI has moved from Fall 2025 to May 26, 2026, reflecting the game’s outsized footprint on the market.

Borderlands 4 Release Date Change

Take-Two has made a significant move in the gaming industry by changing the release date for Borderlands 4. Originally set for September 23, 2025, the game will now launch almost two weeks earlier on September 12, 2025. Gearbox's Randy Pitchford announced this change in a now-deleted video, which has raised questions about the anticipated release date for GTA 6, likely set for fall 2025, possibly in October or November.

Implications for Other Games

This shift in Borderlands 4's release date creates a ripple effect for other upcoming titles. Bungie’s Marathon was initially scheduled to launch on the same day as Borderlands 4, which could have been problematic. Similarly, PlayStation’s Ghost of Yotei is set for an October 2 release, putting it in a precarious position if GTA 6 arrives in mid-October. Other major titles, like Call of Duty, have yet to announce their release dates, potentially waiting for GTA 6 to make its move.

 

Take-Two's Strategy

Take-Two's CEO, Zelnick, emphasized the company's strategy to schedule releases thoughtfully to avoid cannibalization of sales. He stated, “We will plan the releases so as not to have that be a problem,” highlighting the importance of allowing consumers ample time to enjoy each hit game before moving on to the next.

Speculations on GTA 6

Amidst these changes, there remains speculation about a potential delay for GTA 6, which could push its release into early winter or the first quarter of 2026. Zelnick acknowledged the risk of delays but expressed confidence in Rockstar's ability to meet the expected fall 2025 timeline.

 

Conclusion

The adjustment of Borderlands 4's release date not only reflects the competitive nature of the gaming industry but also sets the stage for future announcements. As the landscape evolves, gamers will be keenly watching how these changes affect their gaming choices.

Steam Shatters Its Own Record for Online PC Players Again

Steam has once again set a new record for the highest number of concurrent PC players online, reaching an astonishing 38,366,479 players on September 22, 2024. This new milestone surpasses the previous record by over a million players, which was achieved just last month, largely thanks to the highly anticipated release of the hit game Black Myth: Wukong.

So, what drove this surge in players over the weekend? The usual favorites dominated the top 10 most-played games on Valve’s platform. Titles like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG were joined by newcomers such as Black Myth: Wukong, Satisfactory 1.0, Space Marine 2, and Valve’s own Deadlock. Additionally, last week saw the debut of PlayStation exclusives God of War Ragnarok and Final Fantasy 16 on Steam, contributing to the impressive player count.

Steam's popularity continues to rise as Valve strengthens its hold on the PC gaming market. Competing platforms like the Epic Games Store and CD Projekt’s GOG hold only a small share of the gaming landscape, while Steam consistently breaks records, even during perceived downturns in the industry. The introduction of the Steam Deck has also expanded the ways players can access their favorite games.

The big question now is whether Steam can reach that coveted 40 million concurrent players mark. With the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 next month, it certainly seems like a possibility!

Trivia about Steam:

Steam was launched in September 2003 as a platform for automatic updates for Valve games, but it has since evolved into the largest digital distribution platform for PC gaming.

In 2017, Steam introduced the Steam Workshop, allowing users to create and share content for games, which has significantly boosted community engagement.

 
Steam's seasonal sales events, like the Summer Sale and Winter Sale, are famous for offering massive discounts and attracting millions of players eager to snag deals.

 
The platform supports a wide range of games, from indie titles to AAA blockbusters, and has a robust user review system that helps gamers make informed decisions.

Marvel’s Spider-man 2 Guides And Release Dates

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 once again underscores PlayStation's prowess in delivering top-tier narrative titles. The stunning visuals and exceptional gameplay in the latest web-slinging adventure of Spidey have left PS5 owners thoroughly impressed, while PC gamers eagerly ponder when, or even if, they'll have the chance to share in this excitement.

At present, there's been no official word from Insomniac regarding the potential arrival of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC, making it a PS5 exclusive for the time being. This may be disappointing news for those without a PS5. However, considering that the first game and its Miles Morales spin-off eventually made their way to the PC platform, it's likely that the second installment will follow suit. Let's delve into the specifics of when this could happen and what we can anticipate.

 

Will Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 Be Released on PC?

Yes, there will be a PC port for Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Nevertheless, it's likely to be some time before that materializes.

Several PlayStation exclusives have gradually found their way to the PC platform, including titles like God of War (2018), Returnal, and Horizon Zero Dawn, to name a few. The initial Marvel's Spider-Man reached PC almost four years after its PS4 debut, while Miles Morales took just two years. Given this trend, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will inevitably join the ranks of PC-accessible titles, and the wait is expected to be shorter than its predecessor.

Insomniac Hints at a Venom Game After Marvel's Spider-Man 2 When Can We Expect Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PC?

The release date for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC remains uncertain. Officially, there are no current plans to bring the game to PC, and it's exclusively playable on the PS5 for now.

One speculative estimation is that PlayStation might announce the PC version of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 as Insomniac's Wolverine project nears completion. This strategic move could not only yield strong sales but also generate significant excitement for Wolverine, potentially motivating players to consider acquiring a PS5 Pro console, which is expected to be released around the same time.

Nonetheless, anticipation is also high for the forthcoming God of War: Ragnarok PC port. Given the release schedules of these two games, it appears that Ragnarok would need to debut on PC before Peter and Miles can make their web-swinging debut on the platform. In any case, this approximation points to an early 2025 or later release date for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PC. The wait may be lengthy, but in the interim, you can explore our other Marvel's Spider-Man 2 guides.

Street Fighter 6 Game's DLC Character Rashid Release Dates And Trailer

Rashid, the highly anticipated DLC character for Street Fighter 6, is set to make his grand debut on July 24th. Fans of the series can rejoice as they prepare to witness the dynamic and electrifying skills of Rashid in action. Mark your calendars and get ready to embrace the exhilarating gameplay that awaits with Rashid's arrival. This launch is sure to elevate the Street Fighter 6 experience to new heights, providing players with an exciting addition to the roster on that thrilling day of July 24th. Prepare for an enhanced gaming experience as the highly anticipated Street Fighter 6 introduces an exciting real-time commentary feature. Renowned members of the fighting game community, including Thea Trinidad (aka Zelina Vega), Vicious, Aru, Kōsuke Hiraiwa (a Japanese commentator and caster), and Demon Kakka (formerly Demon Kogure), the frontman of the band Sekima II, will provide insightful commentary on various aspects of the match as it unfolds. With subtitles available in 13 languages, players worldwide can fully immerse themselves in this captivating addition.

Returning to the franchise are iconic characters Ryu, Chun-li, and Luke, the final playable DLC character for Street Fighter V. Joining the roster is Jamie, an exciting newcomer who specializes in breakdancing kickboxing. Completing the launch lineup are Manon, Kimberly, Marisa, Lily, JP, Juri, Dee Jay, Cammy, E. Honda, Blanka, Guile, Ken, Zangief, and Dhalsim, ensuring a diverse array of fighters to choose from.

 

The game's DLC plans kick off with the return of Rashid, followed by the introduction of a fresh face named A.K.I. in the fall of 2023. In winter 2024, fans can expect the return of Ed, while the iconic Akuma makes his comeback in spring 2024. Players have the option to purchase individual characters or acquire them all through a convenient season pass. Street Fighter 6 introduces the innovative Drive system, featuring a resource gauge that enables players to execute five distinct techniques. These include a super armor move, a parry, EX (enhanced) special moves, a forward-moving rush attack, and a low damage reversal. Additionally, the game offers both a classic control scheme and a "modern" control scheme designed to simplify special move inputs. Beyond the traditional fighting game modes such as local and online versus, arcade mode, and training mode, Street Fighter 6 introduces a single-player "World Tour" mode that promises engaging challenges. The "Battle Hub" adds a fresh dimension by providing players with new and unique ways to engage, communicate, and interact. Additionally, the optional versus mode called "Extreme Battle" amplifies the excitement with interactive items, stage elements, and diverse objectives to keep players on their toes. Get ready for an unparalleled fighting game experience in Street Fighter 6!

Witcher 3 Next Gen Update Trailer and Release Date

CD Projekt Red has dropped off the gameplay trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt‘s long-awaited next-gen update. Titled the “Complete Edition,” the upgraded action role-playing game receives myriad renovations, including improved character models with 4K textures, ray-traced lighting effects, cloud saves and new content based on Netflix’s The Witcher.

Table of Contents:

Witcher 3 Next Gen Update

Witcher 3 Next Gen Patch

Witcher 3 Next Gen Trailer

Witcher 3 Next Gen Release Dates

Additionally, players can choose to play the game at 60 frames per second, and a new photo mode lets users take quick screenshots in-game. The enhanced version of the popular title, for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, was initially scheduled to release in June of this year. However, CD Projekt Red delayed the update’s arrival indefinitely after moving development in-house from Saber Interactive and later announced that it would release during Q4 of 2022.

Players who presently own the original 2015 title on PC, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One will be given a free upgrade to the next-gen version. New users can purchase the refreshed game as an independent title. The next-gen update will become available on December 14 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Watch the gameplay trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt‘s next-gen update above. Originally, developer CD Projekt Red was busy continuing to work on Cyberpunk 2077 so The Witcher 3 upgrade was being handled by Saber Interactive – the team behind the impressive Nintendo Switch port. However, In April 2022 CDPR announced their plans had changed and the next-gen upgrade was being worked on in-house.

Sony Reveals Tekken 8 Release Dates

A new installment of the longrunning Tekken franchise is in the works at Bandai Namco. The news of Tekken 8 was unveiled during Sony’s State of Play showcase on Tuesday. The fighting video game series largely centers on the King of Iron Fist Tournament, in which players control competitors as they battle it out to win the major title. The last iteration, Tekken 7, arrived in 2015 and chronicled the events leading up to the ultimate fight between boss martial artist Heihachi Mishima and his son, Kazuya Mishima.

Tekken 7 was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Seven years later, the forthcoming Tekken 8 will debut on the latest generation of consoles, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC via Steam. Sony’s trailer for Tekken 8 teases Mishima’s return, battling it out against his own son, Jin Kazama. The 3D animated video offers little in terms of storyline but gives a glimpse at the heated fist fight, which takes place in a fiery volcanic landscape. Watch the trailer for Bandai Namco’s forthcoming Tekken 8 above.

Team Spirit wins Arlington Major Dota2 Championship

After 4 hard-fought games against PSG.LGD, Team Spirit has claimed the Arlington Major championship and cemented itself as possibly the favorite to win TI11. Team Spirit has won the Arlington Major, claiming the lion’s share of the $500,000 prize pool. The event also marks a rematch of the grand finals of The International 2021. While all players contributed with excellent play, Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov stood out with stellar performances on Beastmaster and Axe. This further solidifies Team Spirit’s direct invite status for The International 2022 in Singapore, but makes a strong case that this squad will join OG as the only two-time The International champions.

 

Game one pitted Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk’s Phantom Lancer against Wang “Ame” Chunyu’s carry Pudge. After a relatively even game, PSG.LGD used Ame’s Aghanim’s Scepter to survive Black Hole and rush the Dire ancient. Game two started at a similar pace, with Ame’s Naga Siren earning 20,000 net worth at 29 minutes. Despite the draft appearing to favor PSG.LGD late game, Team Spirit held out for a 75-minute victory to even the score 1-1. PSG.LGD picked Naga again for game three, but Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov’s Beastmaster quickly set the pace with a 16-minute Helm of the Dominator. Three minutes, two fights, and one Roshan later, Team Spirit began knocking on mid barracks. One disastrous team fight later, and Spirit went up 2-1 in the biggest stomp of the Arlington Major grand final. Now on its last legs, PSG.LGD drafted an early Earth Spirit with Io and Razor. Spirit answered with Axe and carry Bristleback. PSG.LGD quickly took the lead after ransacking Team Spirit’s ancient stack, but the Russian squad stole it back after a clutch Relocate Spell Steal from Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov. Despite losing the first Roshan, Team Spirit smoothly won two team fights and rushed down mid lane. Now with just one lane of barracks, PSG.LGD baited Spirit into overextending, cashing in Ame’s buyback to turn the tide. Spirit turned its attention to Roshan, but the ensuing team fight retired PSG.LGD’s Chaos Knight for two minutes. After an avalanche of LGD buybacks, Yatoro’s Bristleback finally started on the enemy ancient, knocking it down and securing Team Spirit the Arlington Major championship.

Team Spirit Arlington Major championship, TI11 roster

Team Spirit sported the following Dota 2 roster for its championship run at the Arlington Major:

    Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk
    Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek
    Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov
    Miroslaw “Mira” Kolpakov
    Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov
    Airat “Silent” Gaziev (Coach)

With this victory, the team also establishes itself as the favorite to win The International 2022. If they do so, Team Spirit will become the second team to win consecutive TIs. If previous TIs are any indication, TI11 could break the record for the largest esports prize pool. That record currently belongs to TI10. That said the record may not be broken this year due to Valve’s new approach to The International Battle Pass. Other likely contenders for TI11 include fellow Major champion OG and Arlington runner-up PSG.LGD.

The Walking Dead All Stars RPG Release Dates

The Walking Dead: All-Stars is available for pre-register on Android and iOS. The Walking Dead: All-Stars is the latest mobile game taking place in The Walking Dead's universe, this time in the form of a tactical squad-based RPG. The Walking Dead: All-Stars will allow players to collect a wide range of survivors, including some of the most iconic characters from The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead is an extremely popular franchise, having begun as a thrilling and gruesome zombie horror comic series before being adapted into AMC's live-action The Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond television dramas. The franchise has since spun off into numerous games, particularly Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series, as well as a VR adaptation in The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners. The franchise has also dipped into the mobile games market with several entries, including The Walking Dead: Survivors, Walking Dead: Road to Survival, and The Walking Dead No Man's Land. The latest mobile game set in Skybound's The Walking Dead universe is The Walking Dead: All-Stars, developed by experienced South Korean developer and publisher Com2uS. Com2uS is behind many successful mobile games including Summoner's War, which boasts over 100 million downloads and maintains a strong population over seven years after release. The Walking Dead: All-Stars will feature somewhat similar squad-based tactics gameplay using teams of collected survivors to progress through increasingly difficult story-driven challenges, while players will also be able to do some base management by developing their personal sanctuaries with resources earned through gameplay.

 

 

The game's visual style is clearly based on The Walking Dead comic series rather than the live-action AMC series, which lends well to the 2D mobile game format. A diverse cast of familiar survivors including Rick, Michonne, and Glenn will be collectible along with antagonists such as Negan and Alpha, so fans of The Walking Dead will most likely have a chance to acquire their favorite characters. The game will include several different modes besides the normal stages, such as Supply Run, Camp Defense, Joint Combat, and Auto-Search. A dedicated PvP mode also pits players' squads against one another to obtain resources in true The Walking Dead fashion. Pre-registration for the game is available on The Walking Dead: All-Stars' website which will give gamers a chance to try it out early, although no full release date has been announced as of yet. A zombie-stomping squad-based collection game might be just the time-killer The Walking Dead fans need while waiting for the big premiere of Tales of the Walking Dead.

Why You Should Buy a Steam Deck

A year ago, when Valve announced the Steam Deck, I was absolutely riveted. I’m not a PC gamer after eight to 10 hours of work each day, the last thing I want to do is be at a desk but this new device offered something different: the ability to play PC games on a handheld. Prior to its arrival, anyone who wanted to play such games on-the-go had to hope they were available on Nintendo’s Switch. The Steam Deck offered an appealing alternative, one that lets players port their games from Steam onto a handheld and take them anywhere. So I ordered one. Or at least, I attempted to. Like so many others, I logged on to Valve’s website when reservations opened in July 2021 and was promptly met by website crashes. Eventually I was able to reserve one, but when I finally got the email inviting me to purchase the device (a year later), I hesitated.

I’d read the reviews. I’d done the research. I knew what the device’s capabilities were and what they weren’t. It’s not just a handheld console it’s a PC that sometimes requires workarounds and tweaks for things to function properly. It’s also a device without a mouse or keyboard that’s meant to play games that require a mouse and keyboard. It’s got a short battery life. (This last shortcoming was actually a bonus for me. Short battery life can function as a built-in time-limiter.) Ultimately though, my hesitation wasn’t about the Steam Deck’s functionality. It stemmed from a cost-benefit analysis. There are some people picking up the Deck who have a huge back catalog of Steam games, who will buy this thing and play it all the time. That’s not me. I’m getting less and less video game time as it is, which is why I’m relying increasingly on mobile gaming. Meanwhile, it’s not an inexpensive device. I felt incredibly guilty splurging on something I knew I’d only use occasionally. But then I realized: I don’t have to use something all the time for it to be valuable to me. Sign Up Today Image may contain Text Sign up for our Games newsletter and never miss our latest gaming tips, reviews, and features. Often, the benefit in my cost-benefit analyses is one of time. But that logic doesn’t actually hold up—I bought Horizon Zero Dawn on sale for $15 and I paid full price for Horizon Forbidden West. I love both these games equally. What matters to me is how much enjoyment I get out of something, not necessarily how much it costs—and sometimes you can get as much enjoyment in two hours as you can in 20. Sure, it’s nice to get a good deal, but that’s not what matters in the long run. Of course I don’t want to pay a lot of money for something I know I’ll never use. But it also doesn’t have to be “must-have.” It’s all right to splurge on a “would be nice” every once in a while, as long as it’s within what I am fortunate enough to be able to afford. And you know what? I’ve played the Steam Deck every single day since it arrived. Sometimes it’s only for 15 minutes while I eat lunch, but it’s so great to have that option. I didn’t realize how lovely it would be to have Garrus Vakarian with me wherever I went. (Yes, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition works wonderfully for me on the Deck, and you all know how I feel about replaying that game.) Will the Steam Deck become my go-to platform? No, that will always be a PlayStation. But it doesn’t need to become my one and only. If you’re on the fence about splurging on a Steam Deck for similar reasons, I’m giving you the permission you don’t want to give yourself. It doesn’t have to be necessary to be worth it.

MultiVersus Has Taken Steam By Storm

MultiVersus entered early access on July 19 and doesn’t become available to all until tomorrow, July 26, but that hasn’t stopped the game from becoming more popular than all other fighting games put together, at least according to the Steam Charts. The game beats popular games like Street Fighter V, Brawlhalla, and Tekken 7. MultiVersus has more than 46,ooo players online. 

The game currently has an all-time peak of 62,433 players over the last week according to the Steam Charts on SteamDB. In comparison, the next biggest fighting game is Dragon Ball FighterZ whose all-time peak was 44,303 players, while fellow free-to-play game Brawlhalla managed to peak at 34,816 players. In seven days, MultiVersus has become the most popular fighting game on the platform. According to Event Hubs, MultiVersus had an average player count of 38,872 over the last seven-day period. This is more than 13 of the other most popular fighting games put together over a similar period of time. Between Brawlhalla, Tekken 7, DNF Duel, Street Fighter V, Mortal Kombat 11, Guilty Gear Strive, Dragon Ball FighterZ, King of Fighters XV, Rivals of Aether, Granblue Fantasy: Versus, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Melty Blood: Type Lumina, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, the average player count totals 28,902. While there are plenty of other fighting games on Steam, none of them have numbers that would make a significant difference to the total. MultiVersus’ player numbers are only set to grow tomorrow when the game enters its open beta period, which is set to last for a period of several months. The game will receive its first new character at the same time in the form of Space Jam’s LeBron. Rick and Morty are set to follow when Season 1 begins with more to come in the future.

Overwatch 2 Free To Play Release Dates

Overwatch 2 will be launching “in early access” on October 4th, Activision Blizzard announced Sunday. At least the PVP parts of it will be. And in a major change, it will be free to play the original Overwatch was a paid title. It will be releasing on PC, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch. “We can’t wait to roll out the beginning of the Overwatch 2 experience on October 4 and introduce an exciting new competitive vision, featuring amazing new content and a reimagining of the iconic heroes, maps, and gameplay that made the original game so compelling,” Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard, said in a press release. “This is the beginning of an always-on and always-evolving era for the franchise, and a recommitment to serving players with frequent and substantial updates planned well into the future to keep Overwatch 2 fresh and fun for many years to come.”

Blizzard also introduced the second new hero for Overwatch 2, Junker Queen, which the company describes as “a high-mobility and railgun-wielding former Overwatch captain with cybernetic capabilities.” The company plans to share more about Overwatch 2 in a “reveal event” livestream that takes place in just a few days you can watch it on June 16th at 1PM ET. Blizzard first announced Overwatch 2 in 2019, but it really only began showing the game in earnest over the past few months, including with a closed beta. The company has split the development of the PVP and PVE parts of the game. While the PVP element will be available October 4, we still don’t know when the PVE portion will be available. Microsoft is set to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth nearly $70 billion, though the acquisition isn’t expected to close until Microsoft’s fiscal year 2023, which begins in July.

Watch Street Fighter 6 Guile's Gameplay

At Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest livestream, Capcom shared a Guile gameplay trailer for Street Fighter 6. Adding to the anticipation for the latest installment of its popular fighting game series, the title is currently set to arrive sometime in 2023.

Capcom describes, “Guile’s move set in Street Fighter 6 combines his signature moves with fresh additions. He is one powerhouse of a character who retains his ability to keep opponents at a distance.”

 

 

The gameplay trailer share a new look befitting a Street Fighter veteran like Guile. The United States Air Force Major is seen with his signature blonde flat-top hairstyle with new facial hair and a denim-like flight suit. Showcasing some of the new fighting dynamics set to be introduced, Guile takes care of Ryu with his signature Sonic Boom and Flash Kick. Watch the Guile gameplay trailer above and look for Street Fighter 6 to officially release sometime in 2023.

Watch The New Street Fighter 6 And Release Dates

Capcom has released a new trailer for Street Fighter 6. The new trailer, which was unveiled during the 2022 Sony State of Play event, is the first detailed look at the forthcoming game.

Coming 6 years after the previous Street Fighter installment, the forthcoming edition is set to include a real-time commentary feature, which is set to include subtitles in 13 languages.

Additionally, the game has been updated with a new Drive system with a resource gauge that allows players to utilize different techniques. Alongside this feature, the game will include a modern control scheme that makes special moves easier to process. The game also comes equipped with new fighting modes like a single-player “World Tour” and “Battle Hub” which furthers player interaction.

Dota2 Pro Circuit 2022 Stockholm Major Begins

For the first time in more than two years, a Dota 2 Major will welcome a live audience to watch some of the best teams in the world clash for positioning on the Dota Pro Circuit as ESL hosts the Stockholm Major from May 12 to 22. Unfortunately, the Major won’t be without its missing pieces; various global situations have led to Chinese teams missing the event and multiple teams in attendance needing to play using stand-in players instead of their main rosters. Prior to this, the 2022’s Winter Tour was forced to pivot to Regional Finals playoffs featuring the top four teams from each individual region due to a rise in concerns surrounding COVID at the start of the year.

That is the same format China utilized due to being unable to attend the Stockholm Major, while the remaining five regions sent their qualified teams to Sweden to compete on LAN. With those stipulations, the first Major of the 2022 DPC season will feature a reduced 14 teams, with those teams being split into two groups of seven to open the event with a round-robin Group Stage. Every team in both groups will face each other in best-of-two series, with the top four teams from each moving on to make up the eight teams in the upper bracket of playoffs. The fifth and sixth place teams will also advance to the playoffs via the lower bracket, while the last place roster in each group will be eliminated at the end of the Group Stage. The playoffs will be a standard double-elimination bracket with best-of-three series, up until the grand finals will swap to a best-of-five. In total, teams are competing for their share of $500,000 and 3,530 Pro Circuit points, with the top finishers likely clinching an invite to The International 11 later this year without even factoring in the next DPC Tour and its third Major. And, just like with most larger DPC events, only the top eight teams will receive any prizing. Because teams have been evenly split into groups, most fans will instantly jump to looking at the pairings within each bracket to see which teams have an advantage. However, this is going to be harder than usual because a majority of these teams have not faced each other at all. Some teams, such as Team Spirit and beastcoast, have maintained their rosters from TI10 last October, but outside of those two teams, many of the teams have swapped at least one player or are fielding entirely new lineups. This means we will likely see some matchups for the first time and predicting who will stand above the rest is slightly harder. Here is how the groups are currently formatted, listed based on their region:

Group A	Group B
OG	Gaimin Gladiators
Tundra Esports	Team Liquid
BOOM Esports	Fnatic
T1	Team Spirit
BetBoom Team	Mind Games
Evil Geniuses	TSM
Beastcoast	Thunder Awaken

At the one sizable LAN event that has been played this year, GAMERS GALAXY: Invitational Series Dubai back in March, the two top finishers are featured in Group A BOOM Esports and Tundra Esports. BOOM is an explosive team many predict will make a deep run at this Major, while Tundra is a solid team out of Europe, though they have struggled against other top teams from their region. That would likely have fans picking OG over Tundra, though the team will be playing with Ceb as a stand-in due to Misha being unable to attend, which could potentially throw off their flow. T1 and beastcoast have strong rosters with a history of playing well on big stages, but the latter is known for occasionally having a tough time early on in their runs. However, the two biggest wildcards for Group A are BetBoom Team and Evil Geniuses. EG is fielding a trio of new players that have slowly meshed and turned the squad into a true force coming out of NA, though we have never seen this group helmed by JerAx on a Major stage. Meanwhile, BetBoom is a veteran squad that rose out of Division II in the Winter Tour and qualified for the Major via an expedited qualifier for Eastern Europe. They are the biggest unknown when it comes to facing other top teams. Even with a shaky showing in the Eastern Europe playoff qualifier, it is unlikely anyone will bet against Team Spirit bringing their A-game as the defending International Champions attend their first DPC Major since winning it all last October. And, once you get past Spirit, Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid are both threatening rosters that have performed well in Europe and could easily make a deep run. TSM and Fnatic also have veteran rosters with experience playing together, but neither has a recent record of beating top international talent outside of their regions. This duo of rosters were among the bottom three finishers at GAMERS GALAXY and have a lot to prove even while fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Just like with Group A, Group B also has two wildcards that don’t have a lot of experience playing on big stages together or are facing some problems. Thunder Awaken has a new roster that hasn’t appeared at many international LAN events, with captain Farith “Matthew” Puente having the only real experience outside of regional competitions. The team dominated South America’s regional league during the Spring Tour, but we will have to see how that translates to a Major stage. Mind Games would have been a sleeper hit to contend for an upper bracket playoff spot coming into the event, but now the team will be playing without two of its core players Danil “Bignum” Shekhovtsov and Semion “CemaTheSlayer” Krivulya. Both were unable to leave Ukraine and are being replaced by PuckChamp support players Genadiy “Astral” Motuz and Andrey “Dukalis” Kuropatkin for the duration of the Major, leaving some questions to how the roster will mesh in such a short amount of time.

Skull & Bones Gameplay And Release Dates

Ubisoft's long-expected, oft-delayed multiplayer pirate game Skull & Bones just sprung a leak. Footage of a six minute introductory video appeared on Reddit (though it was taken down just as I was writing this) and it's the type of narrated primer shown to testers or preview players before they get to try the game, rather than raw footage of someone just playing. Since I actually played a bit of Skull & Bones back in 2018 at a preview event (and probably watched the same sort of video first), I was curious to see how much of it looked familiar and what had changed. My session took place after Skull & Bones had been delayed to 2019, but before it was delayed to 2020, and then delayed again into 2022-2023. The footage does look fairly close to what I remember playing.

 

Unlike Sea of Thieves, where combat can take quite a while due to ships only having a few cannons that players need to reload themselves, and a lot of time has to be spent managing sails to get into the right position, combat in Skull & Bones is much speedier and ship-to-ship skirmishes are almost non-stop. Most ships are positively bristling with cannons, with an NPC crew handling the reloading and repairs, and the sails go up and down in mere seconds to allow for quick maneuvering. As captain, you mostly just steer, shoot, and give orders to your crew. While it's nice to have NPC crews doing all the grunt work, you can't take them for granted. According to the video, you'll need to keep your ship stocked with food and supplies or your AI-controlled minions will lose morale and eventually mutiny, bonking you on the head and removing you from power. It's not stated what the repercussions of a mutiny are, but I assume it's similar to what happens when your ship sinks: you respawn at a nearby outpost with a progress penalty. In the preview I played, ships had something like the ultimate abilities you see in hero shooters, and the ship I commanded had a ramming ability I could trigger between cooldowns. There's no mention of ults in this new footage, though that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't still in there. One disappointing part of my preview was the act of boarding enemy ships after weakening them with cannonfire. Boarding was just a quick cutscene of combat, rather than an actual chance to use a musket or sword. It's hard to tell for sure, but that seems to be the case in the new footage, too. The reputation system in Skull & Bones is based on Infamy, which can be raised by completing contracts, and the higher your Infamy the more contracts become available. According to the video, contracts can be shared between groups of up to three players, and Infamy can also be raised by exploring, treasure hunts, and other activities. Player customization is also shown, with a variety of outfits and accessories to set yourself apart from other players. The world is filled with NPC ships to prey upon, NPC controlled pirate hunters patrol the seas, and players can naturally engage one another in combat, too, or invite each other to team up for group missions. While the high-speed action is more comparable to Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Black Flag than Sea of Thieves, and while the art styles are different (SoT has a cartoony, cuddly look and S&B is more realistic) the gameplay loop feels similar to Rare's open world pirate game: get jobs at outposts, head out onto the sea for combat, return with treasure, try on clothing. Skull & Bones also has crafting, however, where resources like lumber and ore can be gathered from islands and turned into upgrades to make your ships faster or more durable. Keep in mind, we don't know how recent this leaked video even is, so features may have changed since it was made. It sounds like we'll get an official look at Skull & Bones sometime soon, as the official Skull & Bones account just suggested this morning that you should keep your eyes peeled. June would be our guess for getting a real look at the upcoming pirate game: while there's no E3 this year, there will be plenty of E3-like reveals this summer.

Call of Duty: Vanguard Is Two Week Free-to-Play

For those who have yet to try out Call of Duty: Vanguard, you’re now in luck: Activision Blizzard will be making the popular title free-to-play for a limited time. Announcing the event in its blog post, the developer will now be making Vanguard free to download and play for two weeks starting on March 30 and ending on April 13. Unfortunately, neither the game’s campaign nor Zombies mode will be available for free, but while only its online multiplayer aspect will be accessible, Activision reassures that you’ll still get to experience all of the first-person shooter’s latest game modes and maps, including the two Season Two additions Casablanca and Gondola. Of course, you can also expect all the other playlists and maps originally released with the game as well, such as Shipment, Das Haus, Hotel Royale, Dome, Rader, and Domination, Control, and Hardpoint. For those interested in checking out the free-to-play event, Call of Duty: Vanguard is now available on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC. 

During the Free Access period, players can jump right into the latest Multiplayer maps launched in Season Two: Casablanca and Gondola.

Casablanca: A shining jewel of Morocco, Casablanca is a medium-sized, three-lane-style map within a bustling marketplace. With several buildings to explore and climb upon, expect a variety of vertical engagements that invite both close- and long-range tactics.

Gondola: Don’t look down on this medium-sized, three-lane-style map. Take a trip on the Gondola to travel above a large gulch and fire watchtower, but hop off before it goes off the cliff! Operators can also take advantage of the long sightline this gondola route provides, or head through the power plant and caves for more close-quarters battle.

Drop in and compete in a new large-map objective mode set in the Alps featuring new vehicles and one major objective: capture all the bases to win.

Once a base is captured, Operators can choose to respawn at that base or at any other captured points on the map, in addition to spawning in on their fellow squad member. Bases automatically set up gates for the defending team within, allowing safe passage for allies and shutting itself when enemies are nearby.

Every friendly base contains several Buy Stations for additional armaments and abilities, including vehicles to help you traverse the map more quickly. Here, you can use Cash earned by capturing objectives or picking it up from enemy players to purchase weapons, equipment, Killstreaks, and Field Upgrades, or you can even use your Custom Loadouts.

In addition to the latest maps and modes, Free Access players will also be able to jump into a diverse Multiplayer Playlist featuring Vanguard’s most popular maps, such as Shipment, a Call of Duty® classic, and Das Haus, another small map that favors plenty of action. For Free Access players who want to be in the heat of the action every second of the match, this is the Playlist for you. Vanguard also includes other maps popular with the community like Hotel Royale, Dome, and Radar, which can be played on modes like Domination, Control, Hardpoint.

Vanguard Multiplayer Free Access begins on March 30 and ends on April 13.

 

 

Naomi Osaka is coming to Fortnite

The weird world of Fortnite is adding another celebrity to its ranks. Tennis star and noted Overwatch fan Naomi Osaka will be joining the battle royale with two different character skins that go on sale starting March 3rd. One outfit has some clear tennis influences, while the other is called the “dark priestess” outfit, and both come with an assortment of matching accessories.

Osaka will be showing off her in-game character a bit early when she streams with Twitch star Berleezy on March 1st at 7PM ET. Real-world stars have steadily been creeping their way into Fortnite, most recently with the addition of Silk Sonic duo Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, along with multiple versions of Tom Holland. When it comes to athletes, Osaka joins some big names including LeBron James and Neymar Jr. Fortnite kicked off its third chapter last December, and so far that’s included everything from giant monsters to an art gallery to a big collaborative event with the NBA. The game’s next season is expected to debut in March.

Warcraft is Arriving on Mobile Phones

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that multiple mobile free-to-play Warcraft games were in advanced development, one of which is rumored to be an AR-powered experience similar to Pokémon Go.

In a new earnings result announcement, the game developer has confirmed that the new Warcraft game will be arriving later this year. “Blizzard is planning substantial new content for the Warcraft franchise in 2022, including new experiences in World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, and getting all-new mobile Warcraft content into players’ hands for the first time,” reads Activision’s 2021 Q4 earnings press release. The new Warcraft mobile game will join Diablo: Immortal which is set to release in the first half of 2022. Activision has been rather tight-lipped regarding the details of the upcoming releases, but stay tuned for more details and trailers to be announced soon.