Archive - 2025

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide – Hive Scum Release Trailer

Announced last month, the Hive Scum have torn their way out of Tertium’s criminal underbelly and onto the side of the Imperium… for now. These dual-wielding, toxin-huffing miscreants bring a fighting style that’s as dirty as the sumps they crawled out of.

For the first time in Darktide, players can fully dual-wield pistols and shivs, turning close-quarters combat into a whirlwind of steel and firing bursts. Their customizable Stimms let players brew their own dangerous chemical cocktails, while toxin-coated saws, shivs, crowbars, and improvised explosives ensure no fight stays clean for long.

With a talent tree built for chaos, players can tailor their Scum into a darting glass-jawed killer, an explosives-heavy gun rat, or a relentless hybrid glass cannon. They’re not just deadly, they’re dripping in the raw, lawless underhive aesthetic! Full-body tattoos, gritty hairstyles and the first ever face paints! With new premium cosmetics to explore, players can sharpen their identity even more, giving your Hive Scum the swagger, scars and style of a true underhive operator.

The Hive Scum Class DLC is available now on all platforms for $11.99 / €11.99. Read more about the Hive Scum’s design, inspiration and full kit breakdown in the Dev Blog.
Darktide recently celebrated its 3 year anniversary, and today’s update packs in a new live event, a new mission, and plenty of Aquila to earn.

Assassin’s Creed’s Kassandra Joins TUBBZ First Edition Line

TUBBZ the cosplaying collectible duck range by pop culture merchandise creators Numskull Designs, has expanded its First Edition line-up with a legendary new arrival: The acclaimed heroine of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Kassandra.

Kassandra joins the TUBBZ Assassin’s Creed range following the launch of Ezio as a First Edition release. With both characters now available in First Edition form, collectors can expand their lineup with two of the franchise’s most iconic heroes, each reimagined in classic TUBBZ style.

Key Information:

-Official Assassin’s Creed merchandise
-Designed by Numskull Designs
-Available from 2nd December at tubbz.com, tubbzus.com and selected retailers
-Price: £19.99 / €24.99 / $24.99
-First Edition with branded tub, base print, and sticker
-Premium PVC, packed with detail
-Stands approx. 3.54″ (9cm) outside the tub
-Limited stock- don’t wait for fate to decide. Act now!

High On Life 2 Pre-Orders Include In-Game Bonus

It’s been a minute! What a year, right?! Everyone’s having a good time, nothing to see here. Aaaaanyway, let’s talk about Squanch Games’ upcoming High On Life 2, the sequel to 2022’s acclaimed comedic shooter. It’s coming out in just a few short months – February 13, 2026, to be exact – and you know what that means, right? It’s pre-order time!!!

Pre-orders are now open on PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S. Follow the link to your favorite console (we love them all!), hit that pre-order button, and you’re all set. Mission accomplished. You’ve done your part, and you can play the game in February when it comes out. Cool, cool stuff.

OK, fine. As an extra incentive, players who pre-order the game can show their pre-order pride with an exclusive set of in-game headwear. No, they’re not for your character; this is a first-person game, so how the heck would you even see your hat? We’ve tried, and you can’t! These super-stylish visors are specifically for your arsenal of talking guns, baby.

They come in a sweet suite of colors for each gun, including classic banker green, orange, blue, some kind of blue-green, purple-ish, and magenta (?). Keep your pals’ peepers protected while proudly proclaiming, “I PRE-ORDERED HIGH ON LIFE 2!” Simply pre-order High On Life 2 on PlayStation 5, Steam, the Epic Games Store, or Xbox Series X and Series S and that I could be YOU!

In High On Life 2, you’ve taken down an intergalactic cartel, brought humanity back from the brink of extinction, and hunted dangerous bounties to the far corners of the galaxy. Bounty hunting has brought you fortune, fame and love; but when a mysterious figure from your past reappears and puts a price on your sister’s head, your cushy life gets thrown into chaos. Drama! Comedy! Talking Guns!

High On Life 2 is launching on Valentine’s Day Eve, February 13, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access the game on day one at no additional cost.

Total War 25th Anniversary Showcase Announced

The Total War franchise is entering a thrilling new era. On December 4th at 8am PT / 11am ET, Creative Assembly invites fans around the world to join the Total War 25th Anniversary Showcase – a special video presentation celebrating a quarter-century of strategy gaming.

This milestone event will welcome exciting new projects across historical and fantasy Total War, offering a first look at what’s been quietly in development behind the scenes.

Global Timings:

  • 08:00 PST – December 4th

  • 11:00 EST – December 4th

  • 16:00 GMT – December 4th

  • 17:00 CET – December 4th

  • 00:00 CST – December 5th

  • 01:00 JST – December 5th

Note: The video will go live 30 minutes prior to the listed times, featuring a countdown to the grand reveal.

Where to Watch:
Fans can tune in via Total War’s official channels:

theHunter: Call of the Wild Scotland Hunting Reserve Reveal Trailer

Expansive Worlds, a creative division within Avalanche Studios Group, announced that theHunter: Call of the Wild’s new DLC, Scotland Hunting Reserve, as well as the new Premium Trophy Mount Pack, will launch on PC, PlayStation and Xbox on December 9.

Amidst breathtaking, atmospheric scenery and legendary landmarks, players will hunt a rich roster of 17 animals inspired by Scotland’s most iconic species on the Tòrr nan Sithean map. The Scotland map DLC will launch for $11.99. Check out the Scotland Hunting Reserve’s beautiful scenery in the new trailer below.

Scotland Hunting Reserve – Key Features:

  • An immersive Scottish environment. Explore six unique biomes in Late Summer/Early Fall:
    • Caledonian Forest
    • Purple Heather Moorland
    • Grass Hills
    • Wetlands
    • Highlands
    • Rainforest
  • Exclusive new weapon, the Benelhag 12GA. A versatile semi-auto shotgun featuring a tubular magazine, it can load birdshot, buckshot, and slug, so it’s great for hunting all sorts of game.
  • Iconic landmarks for players to discover including weathered castles, ancient ruins and coastal caves.
  • This reserve comes with 17 iconic animals, including five new species, three animal remasters and a great one.

Alongside the new Scotland map, there will also be a new Premium Trophy Mount Pack for players to take their lodge customization to the next level featuring 16 new plaques, 40 new platforms as well as new textures so players can display their greatest hunting achievements, all for £3.39/$3.99/€3.99.

Additionally, as part of a free content update, Patch 8.4, all players will be able to enjoy Trophy Lodge filtering and improvements.

Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 Review: Your Everything Headset for Xbox, PC, and PS5

I can’t be the only one with a drawer full of wireless headsets, right? There’s the one that only works with the Xbox. The one for the PlayStation 5. The one for the PC that has all the good software. And then the Bluetooth ones for my phone. It’s a mess. For years, the holy grail has been finding that one single, solitary headset that can gracefully hop between all of them. SteelSeries has been chasing this dragon for a while, and with the new Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, it feels like they got closer than almost anyone else. But, as with any piece of tech that promises to do everything, you have to ask… what’s the catch? I’ve spent a lot of time with this headset, and the answer is complicated. It’s a device that is, by turns, absolutely brilliant and just a little bit maddening.

The “X” Is the Whole Point

First, let’s get this straight. If you’re looking at the Nova 7 line, the “7X” is the one you want, even if you don’t own an Xbox. That “X” is the magic ticket. It comes with a special USB-C dongle that has a tiny, crucial switch on it. In one position, it speaks Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox wireless language. Flip that switch, and it speaks universal USB audio, letting it connect flawlessly to a PlayStation 5, a PC, a Mac, or a Nintendo Switch. This little piece of hardware is the key. It makes the 7X the true “one headset” solution, where the other models (the 7P and standard 7) are just pretenders.

Okay, But How Does It Feel?

Straight out of the box, this thing is comfortable. Really comfortable. SteelSeries brought back their signature “ski-goggle” elastic headband, which floats the headset just off your scalp. It’s light, and the “AirWeave” cushions are soft and breathe well, so you don’t get that swampy, hot-ear feeling after a two-hour gaming session. You can genuinely wear this thing all day. But I have to take a quick detour here. If you’ve been around the brand for a while, you know about the “hinge problem.” The older Arctis line was infamous for a plastic hinge that would crack and shatter, often just from regular use. SteelSeries swears they’ve fixed this, that the Nova’s design is new and more durable. And look, it feels solid. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find forum posts from people showing pictures of cracked Nova hinges, too. Is it fixed? Or just less common? It’s a shadow that hangs over an otherwise great-feeling product.

The Two-Headset Problem (In One Headset)

Here’s the thing. The default sound, right out of the box, is… fine. Just fine. It’s a bit flat, with a weird dip in the treble that can make some sounds feel a little dark or muted. It’s not $180 “fine.” You immediately get the sense that this headset is meant to be adjusted. And this is where the Nova 7X reveals its split personality. On a PC, this headset is a monster. You download the SteelSeries GG software, fire up the “Sonar” suite, and suddenly, you have a god-tier audio setup. Sonar gives you a full-blown parametric EQ to fix that flat sound, and its virtual spatial audio is a literal game-changer for hearing footsteps. But the real magic is the microphone. The built-in mic is, by itself, just okay. It’s a bit tinny, like most wireless headset mics. But on PC, Sonar enables an “AI Noise Canceling” feature that is pure witchcraft. It can filter out your mechanical keyboard, your room fan, and even your friend’s barking dog coming through their mic. It’s phenomenal. But what about on console? Well, for the original “Gen 1” model that came out in 2022, you got… none of that. All that magic, the EQ, the AI mic, everything, was trapped on the PC. Even basic settings, like sidetone (so you can hear your own voice), were locked away. If you were a console-only player, you had to plug the headset into a computer just to adjust anything. It was an awful experience.

Why the “Gen 2” Is the Only One to Buy

This is exactly why the “new” Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 (the late 2025 model) is such a big deal. It’s not just a minor refresh; it’s the product the original should have been. Why? Two reasons.

First, the battery life is now genuinely absurd. The original had a great 38-hour battery. The new Gen 2 has a 50-to-54-hour battery. That’s not a typo. You’ll forget where you put the charging cable. Second, and most importantly, SteelSeries finally released the “Arctis Companion App” for your phone. This app connects to the Gen 2 headset via Bluetooth and finally frees console players. From your couch, you can now pick from over 200 game-specific EQ presets, adjust your microphone volume, and, thank goodness, change your sidetone level. It’s a complete fix. (Just be warned: if you have the Gen 1, the app won’t work with it, which is a huge disappointment for original owners.)

Let’s Talk About That Dual Audio

The other killer feature here is the simultaneous audio. The headset can play low-latency 2.4GHz game audio from the dongle at the same time as Bluetooth audio from your phone. This is every bit as amazing as it sounds. You can be grinding in a game while listening to a podcast, or taking a phone call, or, most commonly, chatting with friends on a Discord call from your phone while getting game audio from your console. It’s seamless, and it’s hard to go back once you’ve used it. My only real gripe? There’s no hardware dial to mix the volume between your game and your Bluetooth audio. The “ChatMix” dial on the headset only works for game/chat audio on PC and Xbox. If your podcast is too loud, you have to fumble for your phone to turn it down. It feels clunky and is a major missed opportunity.

The Not-So-Good Stuff

Okay, so the Gen 2 sounds nearly perfect. But I have to circle back to those problems, because they’re not trivial. That hinge concern is real. For a $200 headset, you shouldn’t have to worry about it snapping in half, but that fear is always in the back of your mind. Even scarier are the user reports I’ve seen about audio “crackling” and “freezing”. People with brand-new headsets reporting that on both Xbox and PS5, the audio will just pop, crackle, or distort, especially during intense cutscenes. That sounds like a nightmare and points to a potential firmware or dongle interference issue. And some long-time users of the old Arctis 7 say the wireless range on this new Nova is actually worse.

So, Is It the One?

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless Gen 2 is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable, versatile, and feature-packed headsets you can buy. It brilliantly solves the multi-platform problem. The dual audio is a feature I now can’t live without, and the new mobile app finally makes it a first-class citizen on consoles. But it’s a “buy with caution” recommendation. It’s an amazing piece of tech, but it’s haunted by its predecessor’s reputation for fragility and some alarming reports of audio bugs. If you’re going to get one, buy it from a place with a rock-solid return policy or an extended warranty. It is so close to being the perfect “one” headset. So, so close.

Overall Score 4 out of 5

Happy Thanksgiving 2025

May you and yours have a Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be overflowing with the warmth of family gathering together and the joy of sharing a delicious feast. As you sit down to a table piled high with turkey and all your favorite sides, I hope the laughter is loud and the moments shared are cherished. Whether you’re enjoying lively games, watching football, or simply relaxing after the meal, wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with gratitude, great food, and endless fun.

Battlefield 6 Launches Free Trial Week Today

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Battlefield Studios have announced that Battlefield 6™, the ultimate all-out warfare experience, will be offering a special free trial starting today and available until December 2 for all platforms*. New players can join the millions already playing around the world to experience the high-octane, all-out warfare of Battlefield 6 with select maps and modes, featuring tanks, helicopters and even golf carts on the newly released Southern Californian locale of Eastwood. Battlefield 6 is amongst the biggest gaming and entertainment launches of the year with record-breaking success that marks a triumphant return to glory, shattering long-standing franchise records**.

Battlefield 6, which launched on October 10, has powered its way to critical acclaim receiving a number of prestigious end of the year award nominations including Best Multiplayer Game, Best Action Game and Best Audio Design from The Game Awards.

The road to the biggest opening ever in the storied Battlefield franchise, includes a record-shattering Open Beta in August, all-time highs for franchise sales during the first three days and the introduction of the deadliest ring in Battle Royale with the addition of Battlefield REDSEC just eighteen days after the initial Battlefield 6 launch. The all out warfare then continues with the launch of Winter Offensive this December.

“We are extremely proud of what our amazing teams at Battlefield Studios have accomplished and tremendously excited about the community’s passion as we continue to build Battlefield for and with our fans,” said Byron Beede, General Manager of Battlefield. “Today’s launch of a free trial for Battlefield 6 is the perfect opportunity for new players to have the All Out Warfare experience that millions of players around the world are raving about.”

Battlefield 6 is available now on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam™, EA App, Epic Games Store). Battlefield 6 is available in a Standard Edition (USD$69.99) and also a Phantom Edition (USD$99.99)***. The Phantom Edition includes a full game download of Battlefield 6, as well as the exclusive “Phantom Squad” Soldier Skin pack, plus two high-performance Weapon Packages, a Vehicle Skin, and a Combat Knife Skin. The Phantom Edition also includes a token for Battlefield Pro, a Season 1 package that includes the Battle Pass, 25 Tier Skips, exclusive cosmetics, XP tokens, and much more.

Visit us on Battlefield.com. Join the official Battlefield community channels over at discord.gg/Battlefield. Follow us on @Battlefield to stay informed on the latest updates, and @BattlefieldCom for the rollout of live updates.

*Requires Battlefield REDSEC and all game updates. Includes optional in-game purchases. Limited time offer. Conditions and restrictions apply. See battlefield.com for details.
**2025 Year-to-Date U.S. Top 20 Games, 1/5/25-11/1/25, Circana

***Offers may vary or change. See retailer site for details.

Blood: Refreshed Supply Marrow and Death Wish Deep Dive

Today, Nightdive Studios unveiled a closer look at Blood: Refreshed Supply, the definitive remaster of the 1997 cult-classic PC first-person shooter. Steeped in Lovecraftian atmosphere and soaked in crimson carnage, this legendary title returns to drench both longtime fans and new players on PC and, for the first time, consoles on December 4, 2025.

Watch the latest Blood: Refreshed Supply Deep Dive podcast here:

The latest Nightdive Studios Deep Dive podcast welcomes the creators of the new Marrow and Death Wish episodes of Blood: Refreshed Supply, Dustin Twilley and Nick Palsmeier. The two developers talk about their experience creating new expansions for the iconic shooter and delves into Nightdive Studios’ work remastering Blood for a second time — for PC and, for the first time, consoles. Fans can glean additional behind-the-scenes information on how they expanded the game while preserving its signature carnage and sadistic attitude that made it a fan favorite.

Originally developed by Monolith Productions and officially licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Blood: Refreshed Supply modernizes the classic experience with up to 4K resolution and unlocked frame rates, local split-screen and online co-op for up to eight players, extended modding support, and two new mission scenarios: Marrow (available at launch) and Death Wish (arriving post-launch).

Players will step into the boots of the undead gunslinger Caleb, battling through 42 bone-chilling levels against cultists, zombies, and other unholy abominations. His arsenal blends the familiar with the supernatural, featuring the Flare Gun, aerosol can, and Napalm Launcher alongside darker tools like the Voodoo Doll and Life Leech.

Blood: Refreshed Supply will be released on December 4, 2025, on Windows PC (via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch for $29.99; a Nintendo Switch 2 version will launch in early 2026.

Existing owners of Blood: Fresh Supply on Steam and GOG can pre-order to upgrade to the new edition with a 66.6% loyalty discount. On December 4, 2025, Blood: Fresh Supply will be removed from both storefronts and replaced by Blood: Refreshed Supply.

South Park Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Episode Airs Tonight

“Turkey Trot”: The town’s annual Turkey Trot turns chaotic when Cartman uses questionable cutting-edge science to win the race.

New episodes will be available to stream on Paramount+ and On Demand with your TV Provider post-premiere.

The hit animated franchise, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022, debuted on Comedy Central on August 13, 1997. Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny were first seen in the animated short “The Spirit of Christmas,” and from there were launched into television history. Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are executive producers, along with Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II. Eric Stough, Adrien Beard, Bruce Howell and Vernon Chatman are producers. Christopher Brion is the Creative Director of South Park Digital Studios. South Park’s website is SouthPark.cc.com.