Author - Jerry Paxton

Warner Bros. and HBO Launch Game of Thrones: Dragonfire

Warner Bros. Games and HBO® today announced the global launch of Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, a free-to-play mobile strategy game based on the Emmy® Award-winning original drama series, “House of the Dragon.” Developed by Warner Bros. Games Boston, players are invited to begin their journey as a new dragonrider seeking to dominate Westeros during the Targaryen Civil War through tactical, tile-based warfare. Starting today, players worldwide can download the game on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

“We’re thrilled to bring Game of Thrones: Dragonfire to mobile players with an immersive strategy experience that is very authentic to House of the Dragon,” said JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros. Discovery. “Our Warner Bros. Boston team did an amazing job creating a game true to the Game of Thrones world for fans, inviting them to build their legacy, forge alliances, and define their own battle for Westeros.”

“With Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, we wanted to put the world of ‘House of the Dragon’ directly into players’ hands,” said Matt Read, Vice President and Studio Head, Warner Bros. Games Boston. “From commanding dragons to navigating the choices that shape Westeros, we focused on creating a game that feels true to the universe fans love while giving them room to play their own way. Our team in Boston is excited to share the game for fans to engage with the world they know and love.”

Enter the Dance of Dragons
In a dynasty divided by fire and blood, players step into Westeros as a rising dragonrider, a Valyrian descendant newly bonded with their first dragon. From whelp to warrior, fans will hatch, raise and command dragons as they build power across Westeros, with the ultimate goal of seizing control of King’s Landing. Featuring 28 unique dragons available at launch with more to be released in future updates, players can collect iconic dragons like Caraxes and Syrax, as well as original beasts created specifically for the game. Each dragon features distinct Command skills, passive Habit abilities, troop affinities and powerful synergies that support a variety of strategies and playstyles.

Players can field up to five dragon-led armies simultaneously, allowing for coordinated marches, strategic assaults and defensive maneuvers across a tiled map, bringing the scope and intensity of the Dance of Dragons to life. Beyond the battlefield, fans can further engage with their dragons through a Dragon Strike minigame, where players fly their dragons to evade obstacles and unleash fire on incoming enemies.

Modern Strategy Gameplay
Game of Thrones: Dragonfire builds upon Warner Bros. Games Boston’s mobile strategy expertise to deliver a modern, approachable mobile game experience blending tile-based warfare, territorial expansion and the power of dragons as players battle for control of the Seven Kingdoms. The game features a living world where limited-time seasonal Reigns will reset the competition and race for territory control – introducing new storylines while keeping competition balanced for new and returning players. Conversely, permanent progress like dragon growth will remain, allowing for long-term progression.

Strategic control of the map is key as players form Alliances, coordinate attacks and battle to conquer iconic locations and castles throughout the kingdoms of Westeros. Each tile provides distinct benefits, from resources used to upgrade strongholds, train troops and grow dragons – to geographical advantages that allow multiple allies to garrison and provide faster reinforcements to armies.

An Authentic Westeros Experience
Drawing inspiration from events portrayed in “House of the Dragon,” Game of Thrones: Dragonfire immerses players in an original story that places them at the center of the conflict surrounding the Targaryen succession. Through epic, scenario-driven conflicts called Campaigns, players encounter familiar locations, characters and power struggles from the series, while actively shaping the fate of the realm. From fighting to secure Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne to infiltrating the Greens and shaping events from within, each Campaign offers a player-driven path into the world fans know and love.

The narrative of Game of Thrones: Dragonfire evolves in response to player choices and performance, featuring branching storylines and reactive Campaign stages that change with each seasonal Reign to deliver new outcomes, rewards and story moments. By completing Personal, Alliance and overarching Faction objectives, players can unlock special scenes tied directly to their actions on the battlefield. Solo players can also make meaningful contributions to broader Faction goals without joining an Alliance, ensuring multiple paths to progression. Collectively, player decisions influence how the overarching story unfolds, creating a living, shared experience across Westeros.

Additionally, in a first-of-its-kind technology collaboration between HBO Max and Warner Bros. Games, players who link their accounts can earn escalating Game of Thrones: Dragonfire rewards by watching “House of the Dragon” Season 3, with each episode unlocking a bespoke in-game reward, plus a premium reward for completing the full season.

To learn more about Game of Thrones: Dragonfire, visit gotdragonfire.com

Marvelous USA Launches STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|

Zephyr Town is welcoming new residents once again! Marvelous USA today launched STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar, the latest installment in the beloved farming/life sim series, on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S systems. The title is currently available for $49.99 as a standard digital edition on both platforms, and physically for PS5™ exclusively on Amazon. STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar launches on the new platforms with all prior bug fixes and quality of life improvements since its initial release on Aug. 27, 2025, and coincides with the release of the free version 1.5 update and new paid “Bachelor” & “Bachelorette Sweetheart Set” cosmetic DLCs on all platforms.

Available now to download for free on all platforms, the 1.5 update introduces quality-of-life improvements including the White Wonderstone, a new item which players can use to increase windmill performance temporarily, and the ability for organized farmers to stack or group items of different quality levels. The publisher also released new “Bachelor Sweetheart Set,” “Bachelorette Sweetheart Set,” and a combined set of both cosmetic DLC’s featuring outfits based on their favorite romance candidates! These outfits can be worn by all player-characters, regardless of gender, and are available for purchase digitally on all platforms for $4.99 for each set or $7.99 for the bundle.

To celebrate the release of Grand Bazaar on new platforms, Marvelous USA is hosting a special collaboration with Honey & Butter Macarons in Irvine on June 20 and June 27. Known for their “kawaii” creations, the macaron specialists will be offering themed versions of the sweet treat based on characters from STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar, while supplies last. Marvelous USA will be in attendance on June 20 with giveaways for those attending, as well as fans online. More details will be announced on the Marvelous USA social accounts in the lead-up to the event.

Inspired by the classic handheld title, the new STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar builds up and improves on the original in every conceivable way. The world is bigger and more alive than ever thanks to incredible new visuals, new characters, an expanded story, and full character voice work in story events—a series first. Take advantage of Zephyr Town’s unique weather, using the wind to make travel and farm tasks a breeze! The winds of change are coming to deliver a new life in STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar.

STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar Key Features:

  • Cozy Living Reaches New Heights: The magnificent beauty of Zephyr Town shines with gorgeous graphics while a richly voiced story carries the player on a rewarding journey of farming, friendship, and renewal.
  • Take the Leap: Harness the power of the wind! Use windmills to create new products to sell, and effortlessly travel across the town on a glider. Use new jumping skills on the farm, or when exploring the town. You never know what you’ll find!
  • Ring the Bell and Sell, Sell, Sell: Your farm’s produce and goods take on additional importance as the heart of the business at the lively weekly bazaar. Customize the stall and take charge of sales to build up buzz and power up profits.
  • A Beautifully Cozy Life: Enjoy a rich life amongst a colorful community of characters, from friendly townsfolk to magical Nature Sprites. Build a home, grow relationships, and even find love and start a family.

STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar is available digitally on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for $49.99. A physical edition of the PlayStation 5 version of STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar is available exclusively on Amazon for $49.99. Physical editions of STORY OF SEASONS: Grand Bazaar are also available on Nintendo Switch™ and Nintendo Switch™ 2 through participating retailers and via the Marvelous USA Online Store. The full details of each digital edition and DLC are available below.

The Nordic Game Awards 2026 Winners Announced

Nordic Game has revealed the winners of this year’s Nordic Game Awards, which took place on Thursday, May 28, during the leading Nordic conference NG26 Spring and streamed live from Slagthuset in Malmö, Sweden.

The night’s big winner was the ARC Raiders by Embark Studios (Sweden). The title won Nordic Game of the Year as well as Best Audio and Best Technology awards.

The Eighteenth annual Nordic Game Awards show was once again a highlight of this spring’s conference, and the only gathering in the world with a dedicated focus on game development in the Nordic region.

This year’s edition was presented by Nordic Game in partnership with AMD, Dathost, PixelTV, and hosted by Danish actor, Magnus Bruun.

The winners of the 2026 Nordic Game Awards are:

  • Nordic Game of the Year: ARC Raiders, by Embark Studios (Sweden)
  • Best Art: The Midnight Walk, by MoonHood  (Sweden)
  • Best Game Design: Split Fiction, by Hazelight Studios (Sweden)
  • Best Technology: ARC Raiders, by Embark Studios (Sweden)
  • Best Audio: ARC Raiders, by Embark Studios (Sweden)
  • Best Fun for Everyone: LEGO Voyagers, by Light Brick Studio (Denmark)
  • Best Debut: Discounty, by Crinkle Cut Games (Denmark)

Congratulations to all the winners!

See all the nominated titles for the 2026 Nordic Game Awards here.

NG Awards 2026 is organised by Nordic Game and The Nordic Game Institute, which consists of all the Nordic Producer Associations. Each producer organization appoints one member to the awards jury, which has nominated games in seven categories.

The following industry profiles from the Nordic region served as jurors for the 2026 Nordic Game Awards:

  • Alexandra Gripenhoftner, Sweden

Producer with recurring work at SVT

  • Tanya Laolapha Pettersen, Norway

Video game journalist at Level UP Norge

  • Taivassalo Jonne, Finland

Espoo Game LAB Master & Senior Advisor of Game Industry at City of Espoo

  • Morten Urup, Denmark

Owner and CEO at Arkaden

  • Bjarki Thor Jonsson, Iceland

Icelandic games media representative from Nörd Norðursins

Call of Duty: MW4 Philosophy of Multiplayer – From The Ward Ep. 2

The team at Infinity Ward is building Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer with a focus on fluidity and control, supporting player agency in every map and mode for the most responsive Modern Warfare experience yet.

This is episode 2 of From The Ward:

In case you missed it, the first episode highlighting the game’s narrative is here.

Heavy Metal Dark Fantasy Slasher Slaughter Void Rushes onto PC June 3

Today’s Best Indie Games Showcase revealed the devilishly fast-approaching Wednesday, June 3 release date for Slaughter Void, the top-down blood-splattering dungeon runner inspired by ‘70s and ‘80s fantasy from developer Dread Night and publisher HYPERSTRANGE. Chain stylish speed into merciless killing when it launches on PC via Steam and GOG alongside the debut of the HYPERSTRANGE publisher sale on Steam.

Unleash heavy metal madness in a speedy psychedelic pixel art slaughterfest. Rock out barbarian style: aggression is everything, and hesitation means GAME OVER, because a single hit means death for both you and your prey. Splatter blood and guts by chaining combo kills to increase momentum to insane speeds. Go fast enough, and instead of instant death, the next attack merely breaks the momentum, pumping the brakes on that sweet killing spree.

Paint dungeons red by wiping out legions of demonic hordes quickly and without mercy. Wreak hasty havoc, comboing kills across 36 handcrafted levels inspired by retro fantasy paperback novels. Dismember foes into piles of valuable meat scraps (loot!) and shape your build with upgradable game-changing weapons to customize each run, from the projectile-reflecting Arsi Scythe to the door-busting Hammer of Wandering Souls.

Up the carnage after enough swift kills to dish out more barbarian levels of hell. Earn new perks and character upgrades to dial up the intensity of slaughtering. Enjoy a highly-replayable, brutal slugfest that mashes brute strength and blazing speed to craft one hell of a barbarian build. Claim the throne as the leaderboard’s new king of demons.

Slaughter Void brings gory arcade action to HYPERSTRANGE’s growing library of indie gems. This week’s Steam publisher sale kicks off alongside Slaughter Void’s launch. Pick up titles like POSTAL: Brain Damaged, Jupiter Hell, and more at discounted rates in the week-long sale, including new DLC content coming to immersive stealth FPS Blood West.

“Metal, ‘90s pop culture, and classic boomer shooters bleed out of our pores,” said Mateusz Filipek, founder of HYPERSTRANGE. “Slaughter Void could not have been a more perfect fit for us to work with. While our catalog of games provides players with a variety of perspectives and gameplay modes, we know what we’re about. We know what we like, and Slaughter Void fits the bill perfectly. We’re beyond thrilled to welcome developer Dread Night into the family. Just wait until you see what’s coming next.”

Slay foul demons in gore-soaked voids when Slaughter Void launches on PC via Steam and GOG on Wednesday, June 3, in tandem with the week-long HYPERSTRANGE publisher sale. For more information, follow HYPERSTRANGE on X/Twitter.

Little Nightmares II Enhanced Edition is Out Now on Nintendo Switch 2

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today announced the launch of LITTLE NIGHTMARES™II ENHANCED EDITION for Nintendo Switch™2. This new version of Little Nightmares II features increased resolution, framerate performance and other improved visual effects. LITTLE NIGHTMARES II ENHANCED EDITION is also currently available on PlayStation®5, XBOX Series X|S and PC. For more details, please visit the official website: www.bandainamcoent.com/games/little-nightmares-2

Watch the new launch trailer here:

In this atmospheric adventure game, players will take on the role of Mono, a young boy trapped in a world that has been distorted by the humming transmission of a distant tower. With Six, the girl in a yellow raincoat, as his guide, Mono sets out to discover the dark secrets of The Signal Tower and save Six from her terrible fate. But their journey will not be straightforward as Mono and Six will face a gallery of threats from the terrible residents of this world.

For more information on this and other products from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc, please visit www.bandainamcoent.com.

Where Dolls Hang Announcement Trailer

Steelkrill Studio announced Where Dolls Hang, A game inspired by a real-life location in Mexico and puts you in the role of a detective. Players will investigate by marking clues, handling bodies, and surviving on a boat while navigating wetlands, swamps, and forests filled with hanging dolls. Along the way, you’ll craft weapons and build your own shelter to stay alive.

The game is inspired by Isla de las Muñecas in Mexico, also known as the Island of dolls. The game blends the survival, crafting, and exploration of The Forest with the psychological tension and atmosphere of Silent Hill, P.T and Outlast.

Unlike traditional survival horror experiences, Where Dolls Hang puts players in the role of a detective. Trapped within an unnatural “Forest of Dolls,” players must investigate missing person cases by examining bodies, collecting clues, placing evidence markers, and documenting crime scenes with an in-game camera, all while surviving the dangers lurking within the woods.

Described as a blend of The Forest, Outlast, P.T and Silent Hill, Where Dolls Hang combines survival mechanics, exploration, and crafting with psychological horror and a unique forensic investigation system rarely seen in the genre.

FreeFall ’95 Launch Trailer

Indie developer S-Bend Games is excited to announce their debut game, Freefall ‘95, is out now on Steam. Play as a sole survivor of a mid-air disaster, plummeting towards Earth through a variety of levels, from clear, blue skies to stormy mountains, erupting volcanoes, and more.

Combine sick tricks, attempt deadly stunts, and collect items to build up huge brain-tickling scores. Dodge various airborne hazards such as broken aircraft parts and flaming debris, as each hit you take will deal damage and risk ending your run prematurely. Eventually, you’ll inevitably meet your doomed fate, only for you to wake back up on the plane, stuck in a twisted time loop, and do it all again. Inspired by classic arcade extreme sports games of the ‘90s, Freefall ‘95 takes the player back to simpler times with its nostalgic art style and soundtrack.

Well, don’t just sit there, do something! Throughout your free fall, make use of the items nearest to you by grabbing broken parts, passenger belongings, or even…snakes? Then, fall with style while performing tricks like backflips, somersaults, and the Worm. Picking up items while performing tricks seriously amplifies your score, so try your best to chain as many combos as you can before eating the ground face-first! Bullet hell fans will find a special treat waiting for them, as with each new level, new environmental-based objects, obstacles and quests are introduced. Ice blasts, lightning, and even flaming projectiles; each zone presents a checklist of challenges you must complete to advance. Aim for clean, smooth runs as you compete for high scores on the leaderboard against your friends on every level!

While in the peaceful confines of the pre-devastated plane, interact with your fellow passengers and take on quests to discover what might be causing this aviation nightmare. Spend your hard-earned coins from previous runs on useful items and upgrades that’ll make future falls more enjoyable. Try out each ability item, experiencing levels in wild new ways, and find items during your falls to share with other passengers for their insights. As you unlock new levels, uncover more of the narrative, slowly piecing together what’s really going on. If you’re lucky enough, you might just unravel the mystery and save yourself from a doomed flight… but do you really want to?

Island Of Winds Icelandic Dreamland Trailer

Publisher ESDigital Games and developer Parity Games are excited to reveal new gameplay footage and story details for their upcoming narrative adventure, Island of Winds, a narrative adventure set in a mythical vision of 17th-century Iceland for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. In a genre crowded with combat, Island of Winds stands apart: there is no fighting-fighting. The player progresses entirely through magic tied to empathy, balance, and an understanding of the natural world.

Players take on the role of Brynhildur, a young Balance Keeper whose quiet life is shattered when her homestead is attacked and her mentor vanishes. Guided by ancient magic and her bond with the land, she sets out across a fractured island to uncover forgotten truths, aid troubled mythical beings, and restore balance to a world slowly coming undone.

The newly revealed footage offers a closer look at the game’s semi-open environments, environmental puzzles, spellcasting mechanics, and narrative-driven exploration. Drawing on authentic Icelandic folklore, history, and landscapes, players traverse windswept coastlines, frozen mountain passes, hidden lagoons, volcanic highlands, and ancient ruins, uncovering the island’s secrets along the way.

At its heart, Island of Winds is a story about self-discovery, empathy, regret, and healing. Rather than relying on combat, Brynhildur uses magical abilities rooted in balance and understanding, helping both humans and mythical creatures overcome the conflicts and burdens that threaten the island.

Island of Winds is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. For more information, visit the official website, wishlist the game on Steam, and follow the team across social media channels for future updates.

Byte Barrel Announces DIOXIDE

Byte Barrel, developers behind the Forgive Me Father series, are thrilled to announce their new first-person shooter, DIOXIDE, revealed during the MIX Summer Showcase. Currently in development for PC, DIOXIDE is now available to wishlist on Steam. The excitement doesn’t end with the reveal; for those eager to dive into action, a playable demo is officially slated for Q3 2026.

DIOXIDE is a high-stakes, tactical FPS with soulslike elements set in a dystopian world ravaged by industrial decay. In this place, players are just another number in the corporate ledger, reduced to nothing more than a cheap spare part in a machine that never stops. By obtaining the Core-ID administrator module, players gain the ability to come back from the dead, instantly making the protagonist enemy number one. Now, they are the last hope to break the system and build a hidden sanctuary for whatever is left of humanity.

The game offers a visceral journey through a brutal, oil-drenched dystopia, brought to life in Byte Barrel’s signature blood-soaked, comic-book art style. This unique, dark aesthetic captures the suffocating feel of a society on the brink of total collapse.

Players must navigate the corporate-ruled metropolis where every sector is a cog in a malignant construct designed to grind everyone into profit. From the soot-choked production zones to the toxic undercity and the heavily-guarded upper-class district, every biome presents a deadly set of challenges but also the vital resources needed to fuel progress. While marked for immediate termination, players must confront ruthless, neo-antique enforcers mass-printed to maintain order and dispose of anyone who opposes the authority.

“With DIOXIDE, we’re taking our signature comic-book style into a new dimension,” says Ernest Krystian, CEO of Byte Barrel. “We’re evolving our distinctive aesthetic into a grittier, dystopian world that demands your attention. By transitioning from the 2D/3D mix players know from Forgive Me Father to a fully realized 3D experience, we’re giving them an even more immersive way to tear through the absolute carnage while feeling the weight of a relentless world on the edge of collapse. We can’t wait to show everyone what the next chapter of Byte Barrel looks like.”