Archive - 2025

Discovery Tour App: Medieval Baghdad Announced

Today, Ubisoft announced the Discovery Tour App: Medieval Baghdad, a free mobile experience that immerses players in 9th-century Baghdad during the Abbasid Empire. The new app is available for free through the App Store and the Google Play Store and can also be used on any device through a web browser.

Using the recreation of Baghdad from Ubisoft’s video game Assassin’s Creed® Mirage, the Discovery Tour App: Medieval Baghdad allows users to explore this lost city, a former capital for political, scientific, cultural, and commercial advances, through two different modes:

First, Access Codex provides players with carefully selected encyclopedic entries on the history, art, and culture of medieval Baghdad and the Abbasid Caliphate. Based on the Codex entries from History of Baghdad in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, players can interact with this content through the Augmented Reality features of the app and benefit from additional historical information for each element Second, Explore Baghdad is a gamified, narrative-driven journey that takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Players are tasked to collect Codex entries through a series of minigames and 360° exploration. Developed in partnership with Sugar Creative, one of the UK’s leading immersive technology companies, and with the support of the Welsh Government via Creative Wales, the team delivered an ambitious and accessible cultural experience that blends interactive storytelling with historical research.

For example, real-life artifacts of the period can be found in the app. The Ruby Lustre Bowl from the Arab World Institute Museum in Paris can be examined up close and in detail in AR within the Discovery Tour App: Medieval Baghdad, thanks to a series of high-quality 3D scans taken by the museum.

Through the app, players can experience the ancient city of Baghdad not only as an interactive playground but also as a window into daily life during the Abbasid Empire.

For more information on the Assassin’s Creed Franchise, please visit: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/assassins-creed

Annapurna Interactive to Make Its First-Ever Appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2025

Annapurna Interactive, the acclaimed publisher known for titles such as Stray and Outer Wilds, announced that they will participate in Tokyo Game Show 2025, their very first appearance at this show. The event will be held at Makuhari Messe from Thursday September 25, 2025 – Sunday September 28, 2025.

At the Annapurna Interactive booth, located at Hall 6, 06-C01 visitors will have the opportunity to experience three unannounced titles scheduled for release in 2026 and beyond. In addition to these new unannounced titles, playable demos of other Annapurna titles such as LEGO® Voyagers, Stray, and Outer Wilds will also be available.

Stay tuned as Annapurna Interactive will officially reveal these three unannounced titles in the coming weeks just prior to Tokyo Game Show 2025.

More information about Tokyo Game Show can be found at the official website.

Rami Ismail & Mystic Forge Reveal Australia Did It

In a time when risk-taking in the video game industry feels increasingly rare, Australia Did It crashes through convention with a new genre all its own: the Tactical Reverse Bullet Hell. Published by boutique label Mystic Forge, this unique new game, coming to Steam later this year, enhances the thoughtful play of Turn-Based Tower Defense with a unique unit-merging system and explosive on-rails Reverse Bullet Hell combat. Carefully strategize to withstand relentless enemy waves, then unleash sensory overload as you become the Bullet Hell, mowing down thousands in dazzling chaos.

Designed as a compact, experimental take on the strategy genre, Australia Did It challenges genre conventions and industry caution in equal measure. Created by acclaimed designer Rami Ismail (Nuclear Throne, Luftrausers) and co-developed by Aesthetician Labs, the game marks a return to small-team innovation and genre-pushing ambition at a time when the industry sorely needs it.

The project began with a challenge: stay small, take risks, and build something that doesn’t need to fit a mold.

“I believe the games industry has been failing at supporting developer innovation and experimentation,” said Ismail. “Publishers, investors, and shareholders fund the same few safe bets, later and later in development – forcing even the most creative developers to make safe games with predictable ideas, and force in the latest flavour-of-the-day. That continues until someone does manage to break the mold and creates something truly new – and then the money chases that until that is replaced again. I had very low hopes for this odd prototype I’d been playing with, but when I showed it to Mystic Forge, they didn’t even flinch at the experimental genre mix, wrote the check for a small development cycle, and supported us throughout development. No guardrails, no caveats, just a firm belief that games need new ideas, and that it is worth chasing that.”

Mystic Forge, the new indie publisher created by founding members of Good Shepherd Entertainment, veterans behind titles like Monster Train, Friday the 13th, John Wick Hex, and the Transport Fever series, was launched to do exactly that – support bold projects by teams they believe in. With Australia Did It, the publisher took a deliberately hands-off approach.

“From the very start, I knew that Mystic Forge had to run with Rami going up to bat and taking a big creative swing with this game. Once we chatted about design intent with the focus on high-tension moments and heard his full pitch with the proposed title name, we were ALL IN,” said Randy Greenback, Portfolio Director at Mystic Forge. “Mystic Forge exists to support ideas that deserve to be seen and played, especially if they don’t follow the rules. Australia Did It is experimental, there isn’t anything else like it.”

Set in a drained Atlantic Ocean basin following a mysterious catastrophic event, Australia Did It casts players as hired mercenaries defending a cargo train as it navigates through a monster-ridden drained seabed. Your mission? Escort precious cargo across this hostile terrain by holding off endless waves of enemies at every station. If the shipment arrives intact, we’ll call it a win. Whether you survive or not.

World of Tanks Launches Transformative Update 2.0

World of Tanks team is proud to announce the launch of Update 2.0, the biggest and most ambitious update in the game’s history. Update 2.0 brings 16 new Tier XI tanks, a redesigned Hangar and UI, a story-driven PvE mode on a never-before-seen map, a comprehensive rebalance of hundreds of vehicles, a next-generation matchmaker, and much more.

A launch this big deserves rewards just as massive. From 2.0 release until mid-October every tanker will receive epic gifts simply by logging in:

  • Veteran Commanders (joined before Update 2.0): will claim one full Tech Tree branch (Tier VI–X) and claim a massive resource pack with 2,500 Gold, 15,000 Bonds, 10 million Credits, 60 days of Premium Account, and more.
  • New Recruits (joined after Update 2.0): will secure two full Tech Tree branches (Tier VI–X), three additional premium tanks, 60 days of Premium Account, 6 million credits and other bonuses to fuel their journey.

Players who already own all Tier VI–X vehicles will receive exclusive rewards honoring their dedication. These gifts ensure every commander is battle-ready for the dawn of Tier XI.

Here is an overview of what’s available in World of Tanks Update 2.0:

  • Tier XI tanks: 16 new Tier XI vehicles, each with unique gameplay mechanics and a new progression system are added to the game for the first time in history, with more to be released in future.
  • Comprehensive Rebalance of Tanks: Over 350 vehicles across all tiers reworked to deliver smarter roles and fairer gameplay.
  • Brand New Hangar: Now your hangar is a tank factory where vehicles are assembled, equipped, and always battle-ready.
  • Enhanced UI: New, streamlined, functional and informative.
  • New Matchmaker: Built from the ground up for faster queues, better team balance, and more dynamic battles.
  • New Map: Nordskar, a new Scandinavian map that players have requested for a long time.
  • PVE Event: “Operation Boiling Point” sets the narrative backdrop for the arrival of Tier XI vehicles, where players can try three different Tier XI tanks on a brand-new battlefield.
  • Sound Upgrade: Heavier, more authentic tank sounds recorded from real vehicles, clearer combat audio and immersive soundscape that brings every battle to life.

Gear up, commanders, as the next era of World of Tanks has arrived.

For more information about the Update 2.0, please visit: https://worldoftanks.com/en/news/updates/2-0-hub/

Dead by Daylight Unveils Original Chapter: Sinister Grace

Dead by Daylight returns with a new original Chapter, Sinister Grace, drawing from Thai folklore. Featuring a new Killer, The Krasue, and new Survivor Vee Boonyasak, this release offers a gruesome look into a haunting corner of the horror world. Music plays an equally integral role in shaping this Chapter’s lore, with both characters holding a deep passion for their respective genres.

With six unique character Perks that bolster a variety of different playstyles, including the first Hex Perk since Dead by Daylight: Castlevania, Sinister Grace has plenty to offer Killer and Survivor players alike.

Thai Folk Horror

While Dead by Daylight has brought many iconic licenses into The Fog, original Chapters hold a special significance for the team. It’s a chance to explore the vast horror spectrum and delve into a different subgenre, with Sinister Grace marking a foray into folk horror – specifically Thai folk horror.

The Krasue is one of the most fearsome figures in Thai culture, with its disturbing origin and grotesque appearance. Blending the supernatural with gnarly body horror, The Krasue is easily one of Dead by Daylight’s most visually disturbing characters to date.

“When we set out to make this Chapter, we wanted to deliver something for the gore fans out there,” explains Dave Richard, Dead by Daylight’s Creative Director. “The Krasue’s transformation really leans into that, her body rips and peels open like a blister under pressure.”

“There’s a cool juxtaposition going on,” continues Richard. “You have this opera singer with an incredibly beautiful voice and a graceful presence transforming into an unsettling creature straight out of a nightmare. Guts and organs hanging out, blood dripping all over. It doesn’t get better than this.”

What is a Krasue?

A Krasue is a creature that manifests as a floating head, typically favoring the appearance of an alluring young woman. It can float through the air, dragging its entrails around like macabre balloon strings. Fueled by insatiable hunger, it sheds the body it inhabits and spends the night hunting.

In Dead by Daylight, The Krasue is Burong Sukapat. Once a promising opera singer, her voice was rivalled only by her beauty. When a mysterious offer was made, she greedily accepted, inviting a presence to inhabit her body in exchange for the fame she sought.

And so the Krasue’s curse began…

Playing As The Krasue

Playing as The Krasue will allow players to alternate between two forms – body and head – with each one offering a different approach to the hunt. While traversing as a floating head, The Krasue has increased speed and a deadly melee attack – the aptly named Intestinal Whip. And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

On foot, The Krasue can spit the Leeching Gland, a projectile that infects Survivors, rendering them more susceptible to your attacks. This push-and-pull grants players freedom to alternate at their pleasure, offering a high skill ceiling to those dedicated enough to master her kit.

Vee Boonyasak

“Faulty amps, sweaty dives, broken-down vans… nothing makes you feel more alive.”

The beating heart of Axekick, drummer Vee Boonyasak knows what it’s like to bleed for her art. She also knows a thing or two about roughing it on the road, having traveled across Thailand in the tried-and-true van. Sure, being swept into The Fog wasn’t exactly good for the band. On the other hands, their streaming numbers have never been higher…

Joining the ever-growing roster of musicians in The Fog, Vee’s infectious attitude, up-tempo pace, and kinetic energy bring a new dynamic to every Trial. Boasting Perks and a playstyle fueled by the spirit of rock and roll, her addition to the game marks a jolt of energy that only a killer drum solo can provide.

“We love bringing musicians into The Fog,” says Richard. “At this point, we’re almost able to fill an entire band. Vee is extra special to me because I’m also a drummer, so it’s been fun telling her story and seeing the unique energy she brings to the Dead by Daylight universe.”

Dead by Daylight: Sinister Grace is now available to play on PTB, with the full Chapter release in September 2025.

Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks Official Trailer

The incredible innovation and high-stakes race to launch Universal Epic Universe unfolds alongside the sweeping legacy of one of the world’s most seminal entertainment companies in this inspirational and thrilling new docuseries.

  •  Peacock has released the official trailer for Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks, a new 3-part docuseries premiering Monday, September 29. The docuseries pulls back the curtain on Universal Orlando Resort’s groundbreaking new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, taking viewers on a behind-the-scenes ride as engineers, costume and production designers, choreographers, performers and an array of creative executives race to the finish line to deliver the theme park of the future.
  •  Exclusive interviews include Donna Langley (Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios), Steven Spielberg (legendary filmmaker and Universal Destinations and Experiences Creative Consultant), Kathleen Kennedy (E.T., Jurassic Park), Frank Marshall (Back to the Future), Jon M. Chu (Wicked and Wicked: For Good), Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World Franchise), Academy Award® winner Michelle Yeoh (Wicked and Wicked: For Good), and Vin Diesel (Fast & Furious Saga).
  •  Fans will have a rare opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from some of the greatest creative minds of our generation, covering everything from Universal’s iconic legacy to unveiling an unprecedented look at the creation of Universal Epic Universe.
  •  In addition to Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks, NBC invites audiences to embark on a spectacular adventure with Inside the Worlds of Epic Universe, now streaming on Peacock. Hosted by Joe Manganiello, the one-hour special takes viewers on an unforgettable journey through the portals of Universal Epic Universe.

Bus Bound Official Gameplay Trailer

Saber Interactive is proud to unveil the latest gameplay trailer for indie developer stillalive studios’ Bus Bound, the vibrant driving game set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam in 2026! Driving a bus has never been more fulfilling as players ride through Emberville, an up-and-coming city with many prospective passengers in need of a diligent and skilled driver. Today’s new gameplay trailer peeks under the hood at what makes this engaging experience tick with unique perks to earn, bus stops to establish and upgrade, and routes to explore in solo and co-op play. Check it out and get ready to put the pedal to the metal (safely and responsibly, of course)!

  • A City Full of Life: Explore Emberville, a fully simulated, densely inhabited town that comes to life with a dynamic traffic system, day/night cycle, and distinct weather conditions. From bustling intersections to quiet neighborhoods, every area has its own rhythm, and your route will help shape its future.
  • Drive American Icons: Take the wheel of true-to-life buses from top American manufacturers, including the New Flyer Xcelsior 40ft CNG and the Blue Bird Sigma. With a growing lineup of over a dozen vehicles at launch, you’ll always have the right bus for the job.
  • Shape the City: You’re not just driving, you’re improving public life! Upgrade stops, unlock new routes, earn passive perks, and see each district evolve into a more vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space thanks to your bus-driving efforts.
  • Multiplayer on the Move: Band together with up to three other players in online co-op! Split off to tackle multiple routes simultaneously and contribute to your host’s goal to improve Emberville.
  • Customize Your Fleet: With each shift, you’ll generate goodwill with your riders to unlock new buses, visual styles and upgrades. Whether you prefer a relaxing driving experience or want to master and optimize every detail of your run, the freedom to make each trip your own is yours.

Bus Bound is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026. Wishlist it today on Steam, the PlayStation Store and Microsoft Store! For more information, visit https://saber.games/BusBound, and follow along with the latest game news and updates on X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord.

Sword Of Justice: Closed Beta Test Pre-Registrations Now Open

NetEase Games, the online games division of NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES, HKEX: 9999), and ZhuRong Studio are preparing for the international launch of Martial Arts Fantasy MMO Sword of Justice with a Closed Beta Test on a North-American server. Players from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil will be able to experience the game starting September 26th 10:30 AM EDT and can now sign up for the beta until September 16th 11:59 AM EDT.

Sign up for the Closed Beta Test now: https://swordofjustice.onelink.me/PNY2/cdens2o1

Sword of Justice is an open world MMORPG for PC and mobile devices that’s completely free to play without pay-to-win elements. Set in a world inspired by the Northern Song Dynasty in 12th-century China, Sword of Justice allows players to live out their martial arts dreams in a stunning Eastern aesthetic world. Pre-registrations are now open, allowing you to be among the first to immerse yourself in the gorgeous world at launch.

Pre-register for the Sword of Justice Closed Beta Test now!

The worldwide release of Sword of Justice is on its way, and international players will get the chance to try it out for the first time ahead of release during a closed beta test, for which applications are now open! Check out the official Sword of Justice website to learn more about applying for the Closed Beta Test, and follow the game’s social media accounts to discover the secrets of its world, as new information will be released throughout September.

A major feature in the Sword of Justice Closed Beta Test is the implementation of path tracing on PC and ray tracing on mobile devices. Path-tracing is one of the most visually stunning effects that can be implemented in a video game, offering near-photorealistic reflections and lighting. Coupled with the dynamic weather system, Sword of Justice offers gorgeous visuals on the level of CGI movies, providing an ultra-realistic presentation of its world.

Sword Of Justice’s Unique Open World Rewards Skill, With No Pay-To-Win Systems

Owing to its martial arts setting, Sword of Justice is brimming with exciting combat action, including PvP. Sword of Justice is a free-to-play game, but character progression is gameplay-driven, with strict stat limits and regular seasonal resets. This creates an even playing field, where players are rewarded for their skill, not for how often they reach for their wallets. Couple this with the Converging Paths system, which allows all players to receive core rewards, and the result is one of the most satisfying open worlds to play, as it doesn’t turn gaming into a second job, but refines the best bits that keep you coming back for more.

The world of Sword of Justice reacts to your decisions like no other, with advanced AI NPCs that have unique personalities, fluid routines, and personal memories, allowing them to engage with the player as if they were real. These lifelike characters exist within a boundless and beautiful open world, filled with enemies to be defeated, treasures to be found, and alliances with other players to be made – and broken. Sword of Justice is a game that truly lets you tell your own story.

Sword of Justice will offer a one-of-a-kind multiplayer experience, with a living, breathing world that feels real, thanks to its smart AI NPCs, and where players can become the hero of countless stories. Sword of Justice will be ready soon, please follow the game’s social media channels and visit the official website to learn more.

TRON and TRON: Legacy Coming to 4K Ultra HD

Disney’s groundbreaking sci-fi adventures, TRON and TRON: Legacy, will debut on 4K Ultra HD for the first time on September 16. TRON was digitally scanned and carefully restored by The Walt Disney Film Restoration team, who corrected dirt, warping, and other imperfections to ensure pristine image quality. The work was supervised by director Steven Lisberger. TRON: Legacy has been remastered in High Dynamic Range from the original digital sources under the supervision of director Joseph Kosinski. Meticulously remastered, both films transport audiences back to the digital frontier with an experience more immersive, dynamic, and visually spectacular than ever before.

Available on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, the releases showcase breathtaking Dolby Vision picture quality and pulse-pounding Dolby Atmos audio for the ultimate home-viewing experience.

Originally released in 1982, TRON opened the gateway to a bold new universe of computer-generated wonder, inspiring a generation with its visionary storytelling and pioneering special effects. Nearly three decades later, TRON: Legacy expanded the saga with breathtaking visuals, a cutting-edge digital world, and a celebrated electronic score from Daft Punk.

TRON and TRON: Legacy will be available to own on 4K Ultra HD Digital and Blu-ray, beginning September 16. TRON: Ares, which Fandango recently ranked as the most highly anticipated film of the Fall, will carry the franchise’s groundbreaking legacy forward when it debuts exclusively in theaters October 10.

Along with previously released bonus extras, the TRON and TRON: Legacy 4K discs will generate an eye-popping collectible limited edition SteelBook® with custom artwork and packaging.

TRON Film Synopsis
When a brilliant video game maker (Jeff Bridges) hacks the mainframe of his ex-employer, he is beamed inside an astonishing digital world and becomes part of the very game he is designing. It’s an epic adventure that everyone will enjoy! Some flashing-lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.

TRON: Legacy Film Synopsis
When the son of a famous video game engineer receives a virtual signal from his long-lost father, he sets off on a thrilling, high-tech adventure through a cyber universe to rescue his dad.

Archie and the Army of Darkness Announced

As part of a new multi-title deal for a slate of blockbuster pop culture collaborations, Dynamite Entertainment and Archie Comics are going straight to Hell with a cataclysmic crossover between two of their biggest franchises: Archie and the Army of Darkness!

The idyllic town of Riverdale has faced all manner of unexpected guests and multiversal threats, but never quite like this. In the forthcoming comic book series, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and the rest of the gang will battle the source of all evil as the Army of Darkness and the Necronomicon lay siege to the Town with Pep. Lucky for them, the one and only Ash Williams, equipped with his trademark wit and boomstick, is along for the ride as they beat back the monstrous hordes . . . or die trying.

“Ash Williams has seen it all: demonic forces, time travel, monstrous doppelgängers. But Ash might be in for his toughest battle yet: fighting a horde of deadites alongside a group of teenagers!” said Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante. “Thankfully, Archie and his friends are no strangers to the undead. And we couldn’t be more excited for everyone to see what madness will ensue when these two horror icons collide!”

“It’s always a blast to collaborate with other titans of the industry,” said Dynamite CEO and Publisher Nick Barrucci. “We’re excited to be back in business with Archie and the whole Riverdale crew, cooking up some exciting stories and more for fans. Leading off with the franchise that started it all for us at Dynamite was the perfect choice.”

The first Archie/Dynamite collaboration was the tongue-in-cheek team-up of some of comicdom’s most influential women in RED SONJA AND VAMPIRELLA MEET BETTY AND VERONICA. Available now in two trade paperback volumes, the story offers fans a fun link to Amy Chu’s preceding Red Sonja run, gorgeous artwork by Maria Laura Sanapo, a thrilling interdimensional epic, unforgettable interactions between the mismatched icons, and memorable cover gags. The success of this historic clash of characters set the stage for the new slate, with more details to be announced.