Author - Jerry Paxton

007 First Light Dev Diary Showcases Cast and Characters

IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally acclaimed HITMAN franchise, and Amazon MGM today released the second episode of Beyond the Light, the developer diary series offering an inside look at the making of 007 First Light. This latest episode shines a spotlight on the characters of the game and the creative talent bringing them to life, both on-screen and behind the scenes. 007 First Light is a standalone original, re-imagined origin story of James Bond, set to release on May 27, 2026, on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2*, and PC, and is available for pre-order now.

Joining the episode are Martin Emborg, Narrative and Cinematics Director at IO Interactive, and Beatrice Harty, Lead and Senior Character Artist, who offer insight into how story, cinematics, and character creation intersect in 007 First Light. They discuss how narrative intent, performance capture, and character artistry come together to define the tone and authenticity of the experience. From early concept to final in-game performance, the episode explores how the characters of 007 First Light are written, designed, and realized to feel human, expressive, and believable.

The second episode also features key members of the ensemble cast of 007 First Light, including Patrick Gibson (portraying James Bond), Noemie Nakai (portraying Agent Roth), Kiera Lester (portraying Moneypenny), and Alastair McKenzie (portraying Q). They share insight into their roles and how these iconic characters are being reinterpreted for a new Bond origin story. Their performances help ground the experience emotionally, shaping Bond’s early relationships and the world he is stepping into.

007 First Light is scheduled to launch on May 27, 2026. Pre-order details can be found at https://ioi.dk/007firstlightgame.

Dragonkin – The Banished Play with Friends Co-op Trailer

The latest major update for Dragonkin: The Banished, available since February 25, has opened the doors to a new gameplay experience with the beta launch of its online co-op mode on PC. Console players will also soon be able to join forces and tackle the main story and endgame content in teams of 2 to 4 players. Dragonkin: The Banished will be available in its 1.0 version on March 16 on PC and March 19 on consoles.

In the online co-op mode, players are invited to form parties of 2 to 4 to explore and fight the draconic threat together. Progression is designed for the group: each player receives their own loot, which can be freely traded with other members.

The City of Montescail, a true social hub capable of hosting numerous players simultaneously, evolves through the contributions of each member. By gaining experience, players advance the city and its services, unlocking upgrades that benefit the entire community. The shared adventure continues into the endgame activities, which are also fully playable with others.

Dragonkin: The Banished offers great flexibility with a local two-player co-op mode on the same screen. It is also possible to combine local and online play, allowing two players in local co-op to form a full party with two other friends over the internet.

In Dragonkin: The Banished, players embody one of four available dragon hunters with the objective of freeing humanity from the invading draconic forces. To meet this challenge, the game offers deep theorycrafting through various character enhancement mechanics, giving enthusiasts endless build possibilities. Players develop their hero’s abilities through a unique skill system called the Ancestral Grid by associating fragments obtained during their adventure. They also benefit from the City of Montescail, a true hub that allows them to implement their strategy thanks to numerous services. Accompanied by their faithful dragonets, they discover an intriguing story as well as an endgame rich in activities and especially epic battles.

Dragonkin: The Banished is already available in Early Access on Steam and will launch on PC the 16th of March and on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S on the 19th of March 2026.

Explore all NACON games and accessories: nacongaming.com

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor Debuts on March 17

Today, Dovetail Games and Mattel Inc., a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, announced that the standalone narrative adventure game, Thomas & Friends™: Wonders of Sodor, will launch on March 17.

Wishlist the game now on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Game Store, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S​, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. A Nintendo Switch​ version of the game will be available later this year.

Fans can experience the sights, sounds, and wonders of Sodor featuring classic Thomas and his friends as they travel along famous routes and locations.

Key Features

  • Exciting NarrativesDrawing from locations and moments across classic eras of the brand, from publishing to the beloved television show Thomas & Friends™, immerse yourself in eight unique adventures as narrated by Mark Moraghan, one of the show’s original narrators.
  • Realistic Routes: Chug along the iconic routes, including the Main Line, Thomas’ Branch Line, and Knapford Harbour, soaking in the sights of the Island.
  • Explore the Island with Iconic Characters: Work alongside Thomas, Diesel, Emily, Gordon, and Percy as you explore the island.
  • Take the Role of the Conductor: Run the island’s train timetable, making sure all the locomotives run from Vicarstown to Knapford smoothly.
  • Adventure Around Every Corner: Enjoy free roam while exploring the island at your own pace. Try your hand at the Truck Challenge shunting puzzle or become a treasure hunter and unlock achievements to play additional stories. Adventure is out there!

Thomas & Friends: Wonders of Sodor – Deluxe Edition adds James as a playable character plus four new adventures, giving fans the ultimate Sodor experience. In addition, Dovetail Games is partnering with Maximum Entertainment to deliver physical versions of Thomas & FriendsWonders of Sodor – Deluxe Edition for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, coming in 2026.

Pre-orders for physical versions of the game are now open at leading gaming retailers across EMEA, North America, and Australia.

Poker Night at the Inventory Remastered Now on Steam

The Inventory social club, which has been closed for renovation since May 2019, is once again open for business — and tonight is Poker Night!

This underground speakeasy was established in 1919 in response to an early version of the 18th Amendment that threatened to outlaw games and amusements in addition to alcohol. Over its one hundred years in business, the enigmatic establishment developed a reputation for its mainstay Texas Hold’em tournaments, affectionately referred to by insiders as “the Citizen Kane of poker games.”

Around the turn of the twenty-first century, the invite-only club became a popular destination for video game characters looking to unwind after hours. Telltale Games‘ 2010 release Poker Night at the Inventory granted entry to the masses by pitting players against four Inventory regulars: Max, the hyperkinetic rabbity-thing of Sam & Max fame; Homestar Runner‘s boxing gloved hero Strong Bad; Penny Arcade‘s sardonic headliner Tycho Brahe; and Team Fortress 2‘s fan-favorite mercenary the Heavy.

Today’s grand reopening coincides with Skunkape Games’ release of a new version of Poker Night at the Inventory that has been thoughtfully remastered by a small team of developers involved in creating the original. The game sells for $9.99 USD on Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

ABOUT POKER NIGHT AT THE INVENTORY
This jokey poker game pits iconic characters against the Player (that’s you!) in a high-stakes battle of cards, bets, and trash talk:

  • Recently Renovated: The Inventory and its guests look better than ever, with a top-to-bottom visual refresh featuring higher resolution models, a more detailed environment, crisper animation, and new lighting.
  • Now with Even More Fiddly Knobs: In addition to tuning how much table talk you want to hear, you can now change the starting buy-in amount to raise or lower the stakes. The remaster also has optional cinematic motion blur and film grain features to increase the filmic ambiance.
  • Your Gamepad Works: Poker Night now supports gamepads as well as mouse input, so you can play on your couch or handheld devices.
  • Actually Follows the Rules of Poker: The team stripped Poker Night’s original poker code down to parts, scraped the gunk away, and rebuilt it better than new. Poker Night at the Inventory now plays a far more accurate game of poker, and your opponents will make more informed decisions that better fit their play style and personality.
  • Collateral Damage: If it’s your lucky night, one of your opponents might be a little light on cash and throw something personal into the pot instead. If you bust them out, whatever they put up goes in your personal trophy case — and, in the Steam version, into your Team Fortress 2 backpack.

Learn more about what’s new in the Poker Night at the Inventory remaster in this Steam post.

The Bearer & The Last Flame Now Available in Physical Format and on Digital

Meridiem is pleased to announce that The Bearer & The Last Flame is now available physically in two editions for PlayStation 5 and digitally for PlayStation 5 and Steam. Developed by Dark Reaper Studio, The Bearer & The Last Flame is an epic action-adventure dark fantasy game, created by a single developer, inspired by classic Soulslike titles that will immerse you in a world ravaged by death.

Meridiem has been responsible for the design and creation of these physical editions: The Bearer & The Last Flame – Standard Edition for PlayStation 5, which includes the PlayStation 5 game, and The Bearer & The Last Flame – The Knight’s Edition, which includes, in addition to the PS5 game, a game guide and a special sleeve.

In the far reaches of the extinct land of men, darkness has ravaged every sign of life. The lost souls of bloodthirsty warriors seek rest in the underworld, where demons of the abyss, the darkest creatures, and soulless sorcerers dwell. Darkness looms over the land, and only faint traces of light remain. There is no solace for life, yet in the high mountains of Selender, a glimmer of hope has emerged.

A living soul has received its charge. Carry the last flame, illuminate the lands of night, and return the fearsome creatures back into the abyss.

Features

  • Relive the essence of classic Soulslike games: experience strategic combat in a world full of mysteries and a deep story told through the environment and the enigmatic characters you encounter on your journey.
  • Choose from various characters: forge your destiny in this unforgettable adventure. Select your hero from different characters originating from unique worlds.
  • Challenging difficulty: master a combat system where every strike matters. Face demanding enemies with mechanics that reward precision, strategy, and constant learning.
  • Variety of enemies across different environments: confront a vast range of unique creatures, night beasts, demons, and soulless undead, each designed to exploit your weaknesses.
  • Memorable enemies and bosses: prepare for epic battles against terrifying creatures and colossal guardians. Each encounter is a unique challenge filled with tension and reward.
  • Choose your fighting style: customize your strategy with an arsenal of over 200 unique weapons. Master melee combat, ranged attacks, or the arcane power of magic.
  • Explore the vast landscapes of Hyperborea: traverse dungeons, caves, and castles in an epic medieval fantasy adventure.

astragon Entertainment Reveals Line-up for PAX East 2026 in Boston

The German publisher and developer astragon has announced its participation at this year’s PAX East in Boston, USA, taking place from March 26th to 29th. Visitors can look forward to numerous playable demos, including the recently announced Bus Simulator 27.

At the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, six playable demos from the company’s well-known simulation brands will be available at astragon’s booth (#18105).

For the very first time, Bus Simulator 27 will be playable by the public. The latest installment in the Bus Simulator series was only recently revealed with an Announcement Trailer at the IGN Fan Fest in February.

Rangers’ Path: National Park Simulator, on the other hand, is already close to its release. Launching on March 10, the game puts players in the role of a park ranger in Faremont National Park, protecting the wilderness, taking care of the park’s infrastructure and helping visitors. A recently released trailer showcases the gameplay of Rangers’ Path: National Park Simulator.

In Seafarer: The Ship Sim players take control of various ships, like big container ships and complete a range of maritime missions. The ship simulation is already available in Early Access and recently received its second major Content Update.

Also featured are Firefighting Simulator: Ignite and Police Simulator: Patrol Officers. Both simulation titles are already available and have received a wide range of additional content and updates. Storage Hunter Simulator with its entertaining bidding wars on the unknown contents of garages, shipping containers and storage rooms completes the interesting simulation game line-up.

Midsummer Scream Returns to Long Beach August 7-9 2026

Midsummer Scream announces its return to the Long Beach Convention Center August 7-9, 2026. The three-day event will bring Halloween and horror fans from around the world together for a weekend of thrilling delights! Passes available now at midsummerscream.com.

Midsummer Scream’s 2026 theme will be “Horror Musicals.” As seen in this year’s hand painted event poster by pop-culture artist Stephen Andrade, the event will take inspiration from Broadway classics including “Phantom of the Opera,” The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the music video “Thriller,” among others!

Highlighting this year’s theme, Lionsgate will bring Repo: The Genetic Opera to Midsummer Scream to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Darren Lynn Bousman’s venerable cult classic starring Anthony Head, Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton, and Bill Moseley. Both Darren Lynn Bousman and Bill Moseley are confirmed as special guests at Midsummer Scream, with more cast and crew to be announced.

“The year’s theme is for all of the theatre kids that are a huge part of the haunt and horror community,” said David Markland, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Midsummer Scream. “We will be honoring horror musicals of all kinds with a variety of panels, presentations, and performances all weekend.”

Markland continued, “But if musicals aren’t your thing, we won’t have any less for horror fans looking to satisfy their thirst for slashers, scares, and gore.”

Additional special celebrity guests coming to Midsummer Scream include Matthew Lillard (Scream, Five Nights at Freddy’s), Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Jasmin Savoy Brown (Scream 5, 6, and 7, Yellowjackets), and many more to be announced.

The Hall of Shadows will be open all three days, featuring more than a dozen haunted attractions and displays set within a massive, darkened area of the convention center. This fog-filled “scream park” is included with all passes to Midsummer Scream, with many of the attractions featuring priority queues for VIP/Gold Bat passholders. Haunters this year include Eulogy Collective, Fear Farm, Straite to Hale Productions, H&L’s Realm of Horror, The Dreich Society, CalHauntS, The Haunt With No Name… Yet, Decayed Brigade, and many more. Additional details will be revealed soon!

Throughout the weekend, Midsummer Scream will present a robust schedule of world-class panel presentations featuring Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Scary Farm, Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Delusion, Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns, and Festival Fright Nights at Winchester Mystery House), Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest, and more Halloween events.

Programming partners include Paramount Scares, Fangoria, Bloody Disgusting, Horror Movies & Beyond, and HorrorBuzz. An eclectic lineup of entertainment and additional programming will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Featuring more than 350 vendors and artists, Midsummer Scream’s show floor will feature an amazing variety of apparel, masks, posters and prints, unique artwork, toys, oddities, and spooky decorations from vendors including The Halloween Shirt Company, Trick or Treat Studios, Backstitch Bruja, Sin City Props, Terror Films, Small Town Weirdo, and Froggy’s Fog.

More beloved components of Midsummer Scream will return, including Paranormal Pixie’s Pumpkin Patch children’s zone, the family-friendly black light exhibit Casa Calavaras, the Black Cat Lounge kitten adoption center, and the Screaming Room Film Festival presented by HorrorBuzz.

For breaking information about Midsummer Scream, sign up for our digital newsletter at MidsummerScream.com. Follow Midsummer Scream on Instagram and Facebook by searching @midsummerscream.

About Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream is presented by David Markland (Co-Founder/Executive Director), Gary Baker (Co-Founder/Executive Producer), Claire Dunlap (Co-Founder/Producer), and Rick West (Co-Founder/Creative Director). Their goal is to showcase the diversity of Southern California’s haunt and horror community as a welcoming beacon for fans around the world to converge on Los Angeles for a weekend of excitement, networking, and non-stop spooky fun!

Universal Studios Celebrates The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with Limited-Time Experiences

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort invite guests to power up their visit with limited-time experiences within the imaginative and interactive SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ and at Universal CityWalk in celebration of Nintendo and Illumination’s highly-anticipated film, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

The limited-time experience, which launches on MAR10 Day, Tuesday, March 10, will continue daily through Monday, April 13, 2026. Fans of all ages can look forward to leveling up with exclusive offerings and photo opportunities just in time for the film’s premiere on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

As a centerpiece of the experience at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, Yoshi will participate in a limited-time meet and greet opportunity at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort.

A specialty dessert crafted to reflect the cosmic adventure will be available for purchase at select dining locations. Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Epic Universe will offer movie-inspired food, including the Rosalina Cupcake – a blue velvet cupcake filled with blueberry cheesecake, lemon buttercream and topped with a chocolate crown and star, and Galaxy Popcorn – a multicolored berry flavored popcorn with edible glitter.

Plus, fans at both destinations can take home a piece of the galaxy experience with limited-time merchandise inspired by the film and available to purchase. The exclusive first-of-its-kind interactive shoulder pals themed to the Luma in the film will be offered in both blue and yellow, which feature light and sound and communicate with each other when close together.

The fun will extend to Universal CityWalk Orlando and Hollywood, where guests can capture unforgettable memories with a themed photo opportunity inspired by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The vibrant setting will invite fans to pose in a galactic tunnel-like experience straight from Mario’s newest onscreen journey.

Fans can also catch The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on the big screen at Universal Cinema at Universal CityWalk Hollywood and Universal Cinemark at Universal CityWalk Orlando, beginning April 1.

From Nintendo and Illumination, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released worldwide by Universal Pictures.

For more information and to book theme park tickets, visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com and www.UniversalOrlando.com.

Necrophosis: Full Consciousness coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

PQube is partnering with Dragonis Games to release Necrophosis: Full Consciousness on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. This special console edition bundles the base game, Necrophosis, with the new DLC, Necrophosis: Subconsciousness.

The game will be available digitally on both platforms, while the physical PlayStation 5 edition also includes The Shore, another release by Dragonis Games inspired by Lovecraftian mythology.

The complete experience comes alive in Necrophosis: Full Consciousness, a first-person psychological horror adventure with engrossing puzzles that plunges you into a surreal haunting world where only death endures.

Begin as Consciousness, trapped within an emaciated, decaying vessel devoid of memories. Explore grotesque environments cursed with eternal deterioration to unravel fragments of the truth and learn why you have awakened. Soon, your journey descends into the darker realms of the subconscious as you become the guiding hand that navigates its shadowy depths while piecing together echoes of the past.

Long forsaken gods have been left to rot beyond eternity, yet something still calls. Prepare for a dark odyssey where every disturbing encounter and mind-expanding puzzle will draw you deeper into the macabre.

What Awaits You

  • Roam the cursed lands: Awaken as consciousness itself in a realm of death, a world consumed by Necrophosis. Explore freely through its dark macabre landscapes where all things rot and decay eternally.
  • Echoes of the dying cosmos: Navigate eerie landscapes, grotesque architecture and haunting visuals that bring Lovecraftian and cosmic horror to life.
  • Uncover hidden truths: Delve into evocative narrative poems and unravel the world’s enigmatic backstory while engaging with decayed gods caught in an eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
  • Master chilling puzzles: Solve unsettling puzzles as you explore a world consumed by rot. Certain challenges demand brain detachment and possession, while others rely on careful observation.
  • Confront the unnatural: Face gods, eldritch entities, and Lovecraftian beings who have taken refuge here, learning their histories and the horrors they embody.
  • Haunting soundscapes: Each environment features minimalist, droning ambience, layered with whispers, distant groans, and echoing cryptic voices that heighten tension and unease.
  • Second Awakening: Return to the realm of death in the Necrophosis: Subconsciousness expansion. Explore new landscapes, entities, and stories as your journey leads ever deeper.

World of Tanks: HEAT Launches Newest “Foundations” Video

The next chapter in the Foundations series from World of Tanks: HEAT has arrived. Titled FOUNDATIONS: HUMAN-MACHINE SYNERGY, this latest installment explores the dynamic relationship between Agents and their tanks, and how that union defines victory. Discover how coordination, customization, and powerful Ultimate abilities redefine the battlefield.

Agents are the center of every clash, turning strategy into action. More than mere vehicle operators, they are engineers of outcomes. Through upgrades, adjustments, and careful optimization, these machines fulfill their roles with their own distinct approaches to combat.

In HEAT, three distinct roles take to the battlefield:

  • DEFENDER – anchors the frontline, absorbing damage and advancing with heavy firepower.
  • ASSAULT – embodies speed and aggression, striking fast and repositioning before enemies can react.
  • MARKSMAN – controls the battlefield from a distance, eliminating targets with calculated precision.

Each Agent commands up to two specialized tanks, each with its own special abilities. For instance, Hound’s AMX Tank can launch drones to identify targets and set them up for a homing missile strike. His alternate tank, the Leo, can project a decoy to fool the enemy and catch them off guard.

When the battle reaches its breaking point, Agents unleash their most devastating tool: Ultimate Abilities that can instantly take control of the match.

HEAT’s Ultimates are high-impact and designed to redefine the fight. Here are the three highlighted in this video:

  • CONTRACTED STRIKES – Kent saturates the battlefield with a crushing “Hydra” rocket onslaught simultaneously hitting all enemies in his range.
  • HUNTING TIME – Hound enters peak predator mode, chaining guided-missile eliminations to activate an instant cooldown.
  • CREEPING BARRAGE – Chopper coordinates successive artillery blasts that pound large, targeted zones with devastating missile attacks.

These are the moments that flip the script and secure the win.

More insights are on the way as the World of Tanks: HEAT Foundations series continues.

Lock in your place on the battlefield — wishlist HEAT today: https://wotheat.com/