Author - Jerry Paxton

Halloween Horror Nights Unveils Fortnitemares Scare Zone

Halloween Horror Nights puts a twisted spin on the global video game phenomenon, Fortnite, with an immersive and thrilling scare zone inspired by Fortnitemares, the game’s signature Halloween event. Debuting this fall at  Universal Orlando Resort beginning August 28 and September 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Fortnite is a global ecosystem where players create, compete, and hang out with friends in an always-evolving world. It’s highly-anticipated fall in-game event, Fortnitemares, brings new characters and horror-themed gameplay together every year.

Now, Halloween Horror Nights’ fans will have the chance to “drop in” to the world of Fortnitemares, with an all-new scare zone, featuring ever-evolving and high-stakes environments. Guests will enter Freaky Fields, a Halloween-inspired living battleground overcome with a threatening force. Throughout the scare zone, fans will encounter the Battle Bus along with familiar Fortnitemares characters – plus a few new additions exclusive to Halloween Horror Nights – as they work to escape and claim victory.

New merchandise inspired by the Fortnitemares scare zone — including a graphic tee, decal set, and acrylic collectible piece — is available now at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, and on ShopUniversal.com starting tomorrow, Thursday, July 23 at 9AM PST.

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort beginning Friday, August 28 through Sunday, November 1, and at Universal Studios Hollywood from Thursday, September 3 through Sunday, November 1. Additional experiences for this year’s event will be revealed soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Disney Dreamlight Valley Pixel Perfect Update Launches July 29

Get ready to jump into a world of friendship, fun and arcade-inspired excitement with Disney Dreamlight Valley’s next free update, “Pixel Perfect”. The free update will be launching on all platforms on July 29, welcoming Ralph from Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph to the Valley.

When a mysterious arcade machine begins causing chaos, players will team up with Vanellope to rescue Ralph, uncover the source of the disruption, and experience an all-new friendship adventure inspired by the beloved films.

Alongside the new storyline, players can look forward to a season packed with content. The Pop City Star Path will introduce both free and premium rewards, including new outfits, furniture, a feline companion, and city-inspired customization items. The update will also kick off several limited-time in-game events throughout the summer, including the return of Summer Sizzle, the debut of the Parks Floating Festival, and the return of Memory Mania, each offering exclusive rewards.

The “Pixel Perfect” update also delivers a range of highly requested gameplay improvements. Players will be able to redecorate more easily with new bulk removal tools, give Villagers multiple gifts at once, and re-roll their favorite gifts of the day to streamline friendship progression. Reaching the maximum Friendship Level will also unlock new Best Friends benefits, including the ability to Fast Travel to Villagers. Hanging out with these Villagers can give the Best Friend Glow, which unlocks special traits such as increased sprint durations and the MAX level profession bonuses for all professions while together.

Players who own the Disney Dreamlight Valley: The Storybook Vale Expansion will also receive three new Floating Islands inspired by the Bind, Mythopia, and Everafter, offering even more room to create and customize.

Be sure to check out Disney Dreamlight Valley’s social media channels as we get closer to the launch date for even more info on the next Star Path, quality-of-life improvements, and other surprises launching with “Pixel Perfect” on July 29.

The Alters: Last Variable Launch Trailer

11 bit studios and The Alters development team are proud to present The Alters: Last Variable – a roughly 20-hour expansion to the award-winning, personal survival sci-fi game, out now on all platforms.

Jan Dolski’s mission didn’t end when the credits rolled on The Alters. Well, perhaps more to the point, Jan Scientist‘s mission didn’t end. In this powerful new storyline, packed with new mechanics, new Alter types, and more, players will assist this particular version of Jan in conducting the research of a lifetime.

The Oasis – a lush paradise emerging from desolation – becomes Jan’s obsession. One he cannot comprehend alone. So once again, he must assemble a crew from alternate versions of himself. A Geologist. A Biologist. A Chemist. A Physicist.

Science is everything for these Jans. But can we really understand everything?

The Alters: Last Variable is out now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S:

  • The next story focuses on Jan Scientist(s): Jan Scientists, with their perfectly aligned minds, can offer the expertise needed to unravel the phenomenon of the Oasis.
  • Explore new regions and terraform them: Each transformation shifts the landscape, spawns new resources, and awakens the planet’s defensive mechanism – more frequent earthquakes, severe radiation waves, and other threats.
  • Expand underground and survive cycles: Build in different soil types, construct new components, and research new modules like the Cryosleep Chamber, which will buy you more time and let you witness the long-term effects of your scientific actions.
  • Develop new tech and set field labs: Each planetary cooldown offers a brief window to explore a dramatically changed surface, and Field Labs introduces new assignments for alters to continue their work while you cryosleep.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Reveals Exclusive Collector Box

Focus Entertainment, Asobo Studio and their partner Neamedia Icons have unveiled the exclusive Collector Box for Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, the prequel to the beloved A Plague Tale series. Fans of the saga across the U.S. can pre-order it now via the IGN Store for delivery later in 2026.

In Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, players step into the shoes of Sophia, a young plunderer searching for her origins and answers about her past on the mysterious island of the Minotaur. In this enigmatic place, players will get the chance to play as Theseus, a mysterious Minoan warrior fighting the evil plaguing the land – an evil to which they both seem deeply connected. The exclusive Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Collector Box beautifully showcases the unique bond between Sophia and Theseus, both bound by an ancient curse.

Available to pre-order now for $169.00, the Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Collector Box includes:

  • An exclusive Sophia and Theseus figurine, individually numbered (23 cm)
  • A premium SteelBook
  • 3 exclusive art prints (A5 format, 14.8 × 21 cm)
  • A special replica metal ring

Note: The Collector Box does not include the game.

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy launches on August 27 and is now available for pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere compatible.

Chop Chop Inc. Launches on August 7th

Unpack the axe, chop down trees and build a furniture empire in Chop Chop Inc. starting August 7th. In this charming first-person simulation from former Endzone developers, players declare war on the furniture industry giants with unique and quirky wooden creations. Chop Chop Inc. launches on August 7th for PC on Steam for €12.99.

The brand-new release date announcement trailer:

Following an unexpected layoff by Furnox Corp, players in Chop Chop Inc. find themselves facing a fresh start. Armed with their trusty axe, plenty of trees right on their doorstep, and a deep hatred for big corporations, woodworking enthusiasts turn a small workshop into a booming furniture empire. Trees become planks, and planks become masterpieces—at least eventually. New tools, machines, and automated production lines boost efficiency and quality, transforming rough, handcrafted furniture into unique designer creations with a personal touch.

This is Chop Chop Inc.:

  • Extensive value chain – From log to plank, from plank to furniture, and from furniture to profit: this is the cycle players build in Chop Chop Inc.
  • New Regions and Biodiversity – New regions bring different tree species and character improvements, such as strength or stamina upgrades, while the empire’s unstoppable expansion opens up new, previously unimagined possibilities.
  • Every Piece of Wood Is Lumber – Whether it’s a sapling or an ancient tree: If it’s made of wood, it can be felled and, of course, processed!
  • Impressive designs – In Chop Chop Inc., the practicality of a piece of furniture isn’t necessarily questioned, which is why, among other things, there’s a heat-conducting wooden PC (the thermal properties of wood are, after all, unrivalled) and a wooden weight bench that not only builds muscle but also toughens players against splinters.

Chop Chop Inc. is set to release on Steam for PC on August 7th 2026. Woodworking enthusiasts and (aspiring) furniture experts can add the game to their wishlists now! For more information, check out rokaplay’s social media channels on Discord, X, YouTube, in the newsletter, and on Facebook.

Marvel’s 2026 Halloween Trick-or-Read 2026 Titles

Marvel Trick-Or-Read, the annual program that gives comic shops the opportunity to grab new readers with free Marvel comics during the Halloween season, returns this October! Featuring an exciting entry point into one of Marvel’s biggest current stories alongside all-ages adventures, Trick-Or-Read is the perfect way for fans to discover their next favorite comic.

Since it began in 2023, Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Nic Klein’s acclaimed Hulk run has been equal parts horrifying and captivating. Last year’s relaunch as INFERNAL HULK marked the Eldest’s terrifying takeover of Hulk’s body, setting the stage for next year’s HULK WAR, a linewide crossover event. Readers can catch up on the current saga and behold the Eldest’s plans to remake the Marvel Universe in his twisted image with INFERNAL HULK #1 HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-READ 2026. The special reprint of INFERNAL HULK #1 arrives just in time for the INFERNAL HULK VS. one-shots, the penultimate chapters of the INFERNAL SAGA. Starting with INFERNAL HULK VS. WOLVERINE #1 in September, the five one-shots see Infernal Hulk clash with Marvel’s heroes while assembling an army of corrupted, monstrous champions.

For younger readers, SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS #1 HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-READ 2026, featuring stories and activities based on Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends on Disney Jr. and Disney+, is a perfect introduction to comics for the next generation of Marvel fans. Fresh off a starring role in his first one-shot comic, the messy little monster Symbie takes center stage in this issue alongside Spidey, Ghost-Spider, and Spin in a comic that’s sweeter than a Halloween treat.

INFERNAL HULK #1 HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-READ 2026

Written by PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON

Art and Cover by NIC KLEIN

INCREDIBLE…IMMORTAL…INFERNAL!

The evil known as Eldest has literally torn Bruce Banner and the Hulk apart and taken the Hulk’s body as their own. This new, unstoppable Infernal Hulk is ten times the monster that everyone always feared Hulk would be. Their diabolical plan is to plunge the world back into ancient horrors by transforming our heroes into nightmarish beasts! Meanwhile, the indomitable Bruce Banner, though powerless, will stop at nothing to thwart their evil schemes!

SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS #1 HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-READ 2026

Written by DANIELLE KREGER

Art by GOODMAN YAMADA

Cover by PACO MEDINA

Swing into an all-new collection of adventures with Team Spidey as they face villains, including adorable newcomer Symbie, in this spectacular special. Kids will LOVE this easy-to-read comic sampler that also contains some action-packed activity pages!

Inquire with your local comic shop regarding availability for these TRICK-OR-READ titles this Halloween season!

Commander Career Comes to Korea. IL-2 Series

1C Game Studios announces the release of update 0.003 for Korea. IL-2 Series. The main novelty is the Commander Career. Players can lead an air regiment, manage personnel and resources, plan operations, and maintain unit readiness. The commander can take part in sorties personally or focus on strategy.

19 new task types have been added to the Task Editor, background music now plays during missions, and the list of control layouts has been expanded with schematics for more than 20 devices. In addition, the Korean Peninsula map has been further detailed; visual and sound effects, aircraft physics and systems, AI behavior, performance, and many other game elements have been improved.

After this update, the next major milestone will be the full release, which will take place on August 4.

A full list of changes can be found in the patch note: https://media.il2-korea.com/news/update_0003

Razer Debuts the New Seiren V3 Chroma Microphone

Razer™, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP, a premium upgrade of its signature Chroma-powered USB microphone.

Built for creators and streamers who demand studio-grade vocal quality without the complexity of traditional audio rigs, the new microphone incorporates advanced hardware processing capabilities from the acclaimed Seiren V3 Pro to help deliver crisp, reliable audio from any home setup.

“Great audio used to mean a complicated rig, and we wanted to change that,” said Addie Tan, Global Head of Lifestyle Division at Razer. “The Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP brings the pro-grade processing of our flagship line to a mic that anyone can set up in seconds. The 32-bit DSP handles the heavy lifting on the mic itself, so creators sound broadcast-ready the moment they plug in, no interfaces or tuning required. And with stream-reactive Chroma RGB built in, the mic doesn’t just capture the moment, it lights up with it.”

Pro-Level Sound via 32-Bit Audio DSP

The Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP elevates vocal performance through precise digital signal processing. Operating at 24/32-bit depth and 48/96 kHz sample rates, the dedicated onboard DSP provides greater audio headroom to manage sudden volume changes, excited reactions, and shifting microphone distances in real time.

This instantaneous hardware-level management helps maintain smooth, controlled vocals during live broadcasts, reducing clipping and distortion without relying on host PC processing resources.

AI-Powered Smart Audio Processing

Equipped with the same software capabilities as the Seiren V3 Pro, the Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP uses advanced, automated audio features to adapt to any environment. Built-in AI noise reduction, automatic EQ, compression, and limiting functions work directly on the microphone to reduce background noise such as PC fans or room reflections, delivering a more balanced, broadcast-ready tone the moment it is plugged in.

Focused Capture, Full Customization

At its core, a tight 16 mm supercardioid condenser microphone capsule isolates the creator’s voice by rejecting off-axis background noise such as mechanical keyboard typing and mouse clicks, making it an ideal choice for untreated room environments.

For instant streaming adjustments, the top of the microphone features a multi-function tap-to-mute sensor. A single tap mutes the feed to prevent unexpected audio mishaps, while advanced double and triple tap configurations can be mapped via Razer Synapse to cycle Chroma lighting effects, toggle the digital analog limiter, or switch on-stream audio settings seamlessly mid-game.

Stream and Game Reactive Razer Chroma™ RGB

Complementing its pro-grade audio architecture, the Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP gaming microphone features vivid, stream-reactive Razer Chroma™ RGB lighting. Customizable through Razer Synapse and the Streamer Companion App, the lighting can react to audience interactions, chat emotes, alerts, and supported in-game events, adding an engaging visual layer to match any stream aesthetic.

Fuss-Free Plug-and-Play Design

The Razer Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP features a USB-C to USB-A setup that works natively without external drivers. The microphone is compatible with major streaming and broadcasting suites such as Discord, and OBS Studio straight out of the box.

Advanced controls, including custom volume mixing, sample rate modification, and precise command mapping are readily accessible via Razer Synapse for creators looking to finetune their setup and take control of their sound.

For more information on the Razer Seiren V3 Chroma 32-Bit DSP, please visit https://rzr.to/Seirenv3c32Bdsp

On the Rocks – Demo Release Trailer

Independent publisher 312 Interactive and developer LootBAG Studios today released a brand-new playable demo for their upcoming first-person bar management simulation game On the Rocks. Available now on PC via Steam, the demo gives players the first opportunity to step behind the counter of the last bar worth visiting in a harsh apocalyptic wasteland.

The On the Rocks demo drops players into the year 2635, where endless war has left the world barren. After their travelling convoy is ambushed by raiders, Uncle John, an aging survivor, rescues them and offers shelter in his family’s derelict bar. In return, players must restore the bar by managing supplies, purchasing furniture, and transforming it into the wasteland’s last great hangout. With agile gunplay and melee combat, hunt mutated creatures and extract their volatile fluids to brew unique beers and other concoctions, discovering new recipes along the way. The demo features around 30 minutes of guided gameplay, followed by endless exploration, offering a first taste of the game’s blend of survival, exploration, crafting, and bar management.

“We’re thrilled to finally put the On the Rocks demo into players’ hands and see how they tackle life in the broken world,” said Aysu Ünal, co-founder at 312 Interactive. “The demo introduces the core gameplay loop that defines the game, and we’re excited to see players discover the balance between surviving the apocalyptic desert and running a bar worth coming back to. Their feedback will be invaluable as we continue developing the game.”

On the Rocks is a first-person crafting and bar management simulation game set in a sun-scorched wasteland where clean water has all but disappeared. Players must brave the dangers of the desert to gather resources, refine them using industrial machinery, expand and upgrade their bar, and build a reputation among the survivors who pass through its doors. Balancing exploration, survival, and business management is the key to keeping the wasteland’s last great hangout alive.

Emberville – Voice Cast Reveal Trailer

Independent developer Cygnus Cross has announced that Emberville will launch into Steam Early Access on October 27, inviting players to begin rebuilding a forgotten world where every expedition into the Vitromotus shapes the future of a thriving settlement. Accompanying today’s announcement is Emberville’s biggest gameplay reveal yet.

The new gameplay trailer follows the player’s journey from awakening in the mysterious Vitromotus to transforming a forgotten estate into a thriving home. From dangerous expeditions and fast-paced combat to crafting, rebuilding, and discovering new companions, the trailer captures the satisfying rhythm at the heart of Emberville: venture out, return stronger, and slowly breathe life back into a world on the brink.

New cinematic narration from acclaimed actress Jane Perry ties it all together, hinting at the mystery and emotion waiting beneath the surface. At the same time, an original score by Emberville composer Greg Dombrowski, founder of Secession Studios, brings weight and emotion to the journey.

Already featuring the inimitable talents of Doug Cockle, Amelia Tyler, Alex Jordan, and Abubakar Salim, Emberville’s ensemble grows even larger today with performers whose work spans some of the industry’s most celebrated games. Joining the adventure are acclaimed actors Matthew Mercer, Jennifer English, Ben Starr, Nick Apostolides, Jane Perry, Elias Toufexis, Anjali Bhimani, and Briana White, as well as beloved creator LilyPichu, internationally renowned DJ Dillon Francis, and many more.

Emberville’s newest cast members:

  • Matthew Mercer (Critical Role, Baldur’s Gate 3, Overwatch)
  • Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
  • Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
  • Nick Apostolides (Resident Evil 2 & 4, Dead Space)
  • Elias Toufexis (Deus Ex, Starfield)
  • Jane Perry (Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon Age: The Veilguard)
  • LilyPichu (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • Briana White (Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy)
  • Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Apex Legends)
  • Harry McEntire (Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Final Fantasy XVI)
  • Alex Ponton (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • David Menkin (Final Fantasy XVI, Dragon Quest)
  • Rich Keeble (Baldur’s Gate 3, Total War: Warhammer III)
  • Kirsty Rider (The Sandman, Sifu)
  • Dillon Francis (International DJ, Producer & Musician)
  • Cahla “Cahlaflour” Thorman (Content Creator & Voice Actor)
  • Michael Bryan
  • Lucy Elliott

And they join previously revealed cast members:

  • Alex Jordan (The Alters, Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077)
  • Doug Cockle (The Witcher 3, Alan Wake II, Baldur’s Gate 3)
  • Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, House of the Dragon)
  • Amelia Tyler (Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, Diablo IV)