Author - Jerry Paxton

Only Two Weekends Left for Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

The successful, inaugural debut of Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is about to come to an end when the all-new seasonal event wraps on Sunday, May 18. The time is now to step into this immersive in-world experience before it’s too late.

A resounding hit with fans, here’s what guests have to say about Universal Fan Fest Nights:

  • “Fan Fest Nights 2025 is amazing! Universal single-handedly created the greatest theme park after hours event. Do not miss out on this incredible event.”
  • “Universal Fan Fest nights is so worth it! Loving every minute of this and soooo happy to see different fandoms coming together. The creativity is amazing and it’s super immersive. 100%. 10 out of 10 recommend coming!!!! Yes, Yes, Yes.”
  • “I think it’s super sick to be able to walk where Back to the Future was filmed. Being able to roam freely, interact with the characters here…it’s been an amazing time, honestly.”
  • “Universal Fan Fest Nights is a dream come true.”
  • “It’s perfection, absolute perfection.”

Universal Fan Fest Nights is exclusive to Universal Studios Hollywood, and the final two weekends to visit are May 9-11 and May 15-18, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase here.

The imaginative in-world experiences take place for guests to enjoy on all event nights. An energetic block party invites fans across every genre to share their passions and enthusiasm in dynamic fandom celebrations and an array of interactive activations take place throughout the theme park, including live entertainment, cosplay and photo opportunities.

Fans also can savor an enticing menu of themed foods curated by Universal Studios Hollywood Executive Chef Julia Thrash, plus new merchandise, including collectibles, apparel, drinkware and accessories, are available for guests and fans to display their fandom during the event and beyond.

Here’s a snapshot of Universal Fan Fest Nights 2025:

  • Star Trek: Red Alert—Inspired by the Star Trek universe that has entertained millions of fans, this daring walk-through experience boldly takes guests on an immersive adventure aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D on a mission to prevent an interstellar threat. Guests find themselves transported to the year 2403, just as an otherworldly entity wreaks havoc on the ship. As the chaos ensues, guests will venture further into the Enterprise, navigating familiar Star Trek environments, from the ship’s engineering room to transporter pads, to the soul of the Starship Enterprise, the bridge—an original set piece featured in the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard—in a desperate quest to stop the perceived danger and restore peace aboard the ship. Laden with special effects, audio-visual effects, multi-sensory activations and themed performers, this all-original experience creates an unforgettable, awe-inspiring moment that elevates Star Trek fandom to new levels.
  • Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley—This nostalgic experience is based on the 1985 Back to the Future blockbuster movie and invites guests to time travel back to 1955 Hill Valley alongside some of the film’s iconic characters. Time travel begins the moment guests climb aboard the Studio Tour “Fan Tram” and venture towards Courthouse Square, the original filming location for this classic film located on the Universal Studios world famous backlot.

Brimming with authenticity, Back to the Future: Destination Hill Valley pays homage to this groundbreaking film by inserting guests into many familiar scenes with iconic props. From Hill Valley with the original Lyon Estate monuments to the Time Machine on display, guests will have the sensation of going back in time as they partake in the energetic recreation of the Enchantment Under the Sea dance and Hill Valley Festival plus experience a stunning recreation of the Clock Tower lightning strike, sending Marty back to the future multiple times each event night.

  • DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep—Inspired by the World’s Greatest Roleplaying Game™, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS (D&D), this epic experience welcomes guests and fans to partake in a one-of-a-kind adventure and explore the fantastic world of D&D. Guests join the Harpers—a heroic spy network—to foil a plot by the legendary beholder Xanathar and save the city of Waterdeep.

In creating this unique experience, Universal Studios Hollywood is collaborating with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the legendary beholder Xanathar that comes to life within DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Secrets of Waterdeep. For over 40 years, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop has been a world-renowned innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.

  • ONE PIECE: Grand Pirate Gathering—This unique experience is inspired by the long-running global hit anime series, One Piece, from creator Eiichiro Oda, that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew, including Zoro, Nami, Usopp and Sanji, on their quest to find “ONE PIECE,” the legendary treasure of the former King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger.  The Grand Pirate Gathering transports guests into the series’ fictional world of pirates through an immersive and interactive experience, complete with iconic visuals and scenic environments that place fans at the heart of the action. Guests also have time to enjoy uplifting meet and greet opportunities with different characters and participate in themed interactive photo ops.
  • Jujutsu Kaisen: Hunger of the Cursed—This anime experience, inspired by a widely popular Japanese manga and its anime adaptation, follows high school student Yuji Itadori after he accidently becomes the host of a powerful curse and joins Tokyo Jujutsu High School, an organization that fights the curses. This epic adventure is transformed into an exciting film-based experience, which first debuted at Universal Studios Japan.
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Guests and fans have a chance to further engage in the theme park’s immersive land with all-new magical creature interactions, including the opportunity to meet the Niffler, a Baby Dragon and a majestic Occamy. The centerpiece of the experience is the West Coast debut of the visually spectacular Hogwarts™ Always light projection show takes guests on a whimsical journey through a school year at Hogwarts. Weaving together unforgettable music and incredible moments of wizardry, Hogwarts Always will shine bright as it comes to life set against the majestic backdrop of Hogwarts™ castle.
  • SUPER NINTENDO WORLD: Let’s Go, Yoshi—This exciting addition to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD marks the debut of beloved fan favorite Yoshi as a brand new meet and greet character within the land during Universal Fan Fest Nights. As part of Yoshi’s welcome to the land, guests have a chance to interact with Yoshi as they engage in a scavenger hunt to locate all five colorful Yoshi eggs.  After completing this original quest, guests will reap the benefit of a very special reward with the unique opportunity to meet a different colored Yoshi.
  • Wicked—Guests and fans of Universal Pictures’ blockbuster Wicked have a chance to rejoicify with popular characters, Elphaba and Glinda, when they step out in style to greet guests at the theme park’s existing vibrant Wicked themed photo op, located adjacent to the theme park’s main entrance.

Adding to the adventure, guests can also experience select theme park attractions open during the event, including “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge,” “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™,” “Flight of the Hippogriff™,” “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem,” “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride” and “The Simpsons Ride™”.

For more information visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com and Universal Fan Fest Nights, follow @UniFanFestNights on Instagram, visit Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X.

Peacock Announces Series Pickup of Seth MacFarlane’s TED Animated Spin-Off

Following the immense success of the live-action series, Peacock announced today the series pickup of “Ted: The Animated Series” (working title). The new animated venture comes from the creative mind of Seth MacFarlane and will continue the story of the beloved, foul-mouthed teddy bear after the events of the “Ted” films. This move capitalizes on the record-breaking performance of the live-action “Ted” series, which debuted as Peacock’s #1 Original Streaming Comedy.

Seth MacFarlane, known for his work on “Family Guy,” “American Dad!,” and “The Orville,” will reprise his iconic voice role as Ted. In addition to lending his voice, MacFarlane will also serve as an executive producer for all episodes. He is joined in executive production by Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh, both of “Modern Family” fame, who also executive produced the live-action “Ted” series.

Fans of the original film franchise will be pleased to hear that several stars are returning as series regulars to voice their respective roles. Mark Wahlberg (“The Union,” “The Family Plan”) will once again voice “John,” Amanda Seyfried (“Long Bright River,” “The Dropout”) returns as “Sam,” and Jessica Barth (“Ted” & “Ted 2”) will voice “Tami-Lynn.” The animated series will also introduce new characters, with Kyle Mooney (“Y2K,” “Saturday Night Live”) joining as “Apollo” and Liz Richman (“Little America,” “TED”) voicing “Ruth.”

The new series is a product of UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, Fuzzy Door, and MRC. The live-action “Ted” series, which launched on January 11, 2024, set a high bar, becoming Peacock’s most-watched original title to date and holding the top spot as the #1 Original Streaming Comedy in the U.S. for over two consecutive months, according to Nielsen. Its success wasn’t limited to the United States; the series also became the biggest U.S. comedy launch on Sky in the UK in over two decades and was recently renewed for a second season.

“Ted: The Animated Series” is set to join an impressive lineup of upcoming Peacock Originals. This includes highly anticipated second seasons of “Poker Face” and “Twisted Metal,” the seventh season of “Love Island USA,” and the second season of “Love Island Games.” Other forthcoming titles include an untitled Greg Daniels/Michael Koman comedy, “Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy,” “All Her Fault,” the second season of the live-action “Ted,” and the fourth season of “Bel-Air,” all slated to launch later this year. This new animated comedy will also sit alongside recent Peacock hits such as “The Traitors,” “Long Bright River,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime” Season 5, “SNL 50,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”

Dragonheir: Silent Gods Announces New Global Relaunch

Game developer, SGRA Studio, and Level Infinite are pleased to share major updates for Dragonheir: Silent Gods, which will see significant gameplay improvements and the relaunch of its global version. Since its global launch in September 2023, Dragonheir: Silent Gods has attracted over 10 million players worldwide. Players can pre-register now to earn exclusive rewards ahead of the global launch.

Through community support, the development team is pleased to share that Dragonheir is preparing for a major global comeback, including a long-awaited re-launch in North America, and more. The relaunch comes after significant changes in the development team and are designed to create a more accessible, engaging, and unified Dragonheir: Silent Gods experience for players globally. Since October 2024, the team has undertaken a comprehensive review and rework of the game, focusing on player feedback and gameplay experience.

Looking at three key areas, including diverse gameplay, cost of heroes and team strategies, the following improvements have been made:

Changes and Improvements

  • Significant Price Reductions: Lowering the cost of each summon, adding targeted banners, and setting more reasonable pity systems.
  • Streamlined Progression: Individual hero levels have been eliminated. All heroes now share a unified level, allowing players to focus more on strategic gameplay.
  • Combat System Overhaul: Elemental Affinity-based team building guide replaced with “comps,” each with different effects. Through these strategies, players will gradually understand each hero’s abilities and discover unique approaches to tackle different bosses.
  • Redesigned Season Gameplay: Each season will focus players on different core gameplay elements with various central mechanics, such as Alliance PvP and Alliance Boss modes, as well as solo roguelike gameplay.

First launched in mainland China, the new features have been fine-tuned and will now launch on a global scale.

A Transformative Rebirth: Global Version Plans

After careful consideration and planning, Dragonheir: Silent Gods’ global version content update will roll out with the following updates.

  • Complete global launch: When the new version goes live, Dragonheir will also relaunch in North America and several other regions.
  • Season Restart with Synchronised Content: Seasons and updates will restart and release new content according to the seasonal schedule and merge with the global version to ensure all players can enjoy new content regularly.
  • User data will be retained: Due to significant adjustments to hero abilities and seasonal gameplay, after the new version update, all players will need to begin from the brand new Season 1. Players will, however, retain their heroes, Artifacts, Dragon Crystals, Wyrmarrows, dice, and Skill Scrolls.
  • Benefits for Veteran players: To reward veteran players for their patience and loyalty, Dragonheir will prepare exclusive time-limited events and pre-summon welfare activities, as well an exclusive pre-registration campaign.A valuation event will also take place for veterans, returning their previous investments in the form of special rewards in the new version.

Detailed update plans, dates, and event information will be gradually released through Discord and Facebook communities in the future.

In addition, to celebrate this new milestone, players are eligible for a gift code containing 5 Heliolite Dice, 10 Starlight Stone Dice, and 1,000,000 Gold, which can be redeemed by entering the game now【BRANDNEWDH】(Valid from April 28 to May 31.)

Players can pre-register now on the official website.

DOOM: The Dark Ages New Screenshots

Attention, Slayers! Fresh visual intel from the front lines of hell has arrived: a new batch of eye-melting screenshots for the highly anticipated DOOM: The Dark Ages are now available for your viewing pleasure. Feast your eyes on the grim, medieval-inspired battlegrounds and get a closer look at the brutal action awaiting you. This upcoming first-person shooter, developed by the legendary id Software and published by Bethesda Softworks, serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal.

Prepare to step into the blood-stained boots of the Doom Slayer once more, this time in a never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell, wielding a devastating arsenal of both futuristic and archaic weaponry, including a versatile new shield. Mark your calendars: DOOM: The Dark Ages is set to unleash its fury upon PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on May 15, 2025, with some options for early access beginning around May 12th or 13th for premium editions.

Dune: Awakening Large-Scale Beta Weekend is Now Live

Dune: Awakening’s large-scale Beta weekend is now live! Developer Funcom has provided several ways for players to sign up for a chance to set foot on Arrakis. Taking inspiration from Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment’s blockbuster films, Dune: Awakening is the first-ever Dune open world, multiplayer survival game on a massive scale.

Signing up for the Beta is easy: wishlist the game and request access directly on the Steam Store page, or sign up by email on the official website. Alternatively, players can tune in to the May 10 Global LAN Party Broadcast on Twitch at 12 PM PDT / 8 PM BST / 9 PM CEST, where tens of thousands of Beta keys will be given out. Every detail about the Beta can be found in a recent post.

The large-scale Beta weekend will run until May 12 at 2:59 AM PDT / 22:59 PM BST / 11:59 PM CEST. Dune: Awakening launches on June 10 and can be pre-ordered now.

Button Overload or Gaming Bliss? My Razer Naga V2 Pro Review Experience

As a long-time MMO enthusiast who also enjoys a variety of other game genres, I’ve always been on the lookout for a mouse that can truly do it all. The Razer Naga name has been synonymous with MMO gaming for years, and when the Naga V2 Pro was announced, with its promises of ultimate adaptability and control, my interest was immediately piqued. I decided to take the plunge, hoping this would be the one mouse to rule them all on my desk.

Unboxing the Razer Naga V2 Pro MMO Wireless Gaming Mouse, the first thing I noticed was its solid, premium feel. It has a familiar ergonomic shape, clearly designed for right-handed users like myself, with a comfortable slope and a distinctive rest for my ring finger, which I’ve always appreciated on Naga mice. The matte black plastic felt good in my hand, and the rubberized grip areas seemed promising for long gaming sessions. It definitely felt like a substantial piece of hardware, hinting at the technology packed inside.

Of course, I have to mention that this edition of the Naga V2 Pro is part of as celebration of one of the world’s most successful and epic MMO games, World of Warcraft. Within 30 days of purchasing the mouse you would received a redemption code that unlocks a legendary in-game bundle, which includes: Iron Skyreaver, Coral-Stalker Waveray, and Razeshi B mounts.

The real magic, of course, lies in its signature feature: the interchangeable side plates. Swapping them out was incredibly easy, with a satisfying magnetic click as each plate snapped securely into place. I started with the classic 12-button array, a layout I’m intimately familiar with from countless hours in various MMOs. The buttons themselves felt “clickier” and more tactile than on some older Nagas I’ve used, which was a welcome improvement for precise ability activation. For my MMO sessions, this plate was indispensable, allowing me to map my entire rotation and crucial macros for instant access.

When I switched gears to a MOBA, the 6-button plate was my go-to. This configuration, with its two rows of three buttons and a textured grip, felt like a perfect balance between having enough commands readily available without the sheer density of the 12-button layout. It was also surprisingly useful for productivity tasks, like video editing, where I could assign frequently used shortcuts. For those rare occasions when I dabbled in an FPS, or for general desktop use, the 2-button plate provided that standard, familiar feel, with a comfortable textured grip that offered good control. This modularity truly is the Naga V2 Pro’s crowning achievement, allowing it to transform to suit whatever game I threw at it.

Then there’s the HyperScroll Pro Wheel. I was intrigued by the promise of a fully customizable scroll experience. Toggling through the preset modes was interesting; the “Distinct” mode offered firm, deliberate ticks perfect for weapon switching, while “Ultra-fine” allowed for quicker, smoother scrolling. I spent a good amount of time in the software tweaking my own custom profile, adjusting the tension and the number of steps. It’s an incredibly sophisticated piece of engineering, and while I appreciated the level of control, I did find that I mostly stuck to one or two preferred modes. The ability to save only one custom profile felt a bit limiting for a mouse that champions customization, and I did encounter a minor quirk where the scroll feel would sometimes change after the mouse woke from sleep, requiring a quick toggle to reset. The tilt-click functionality on the wheel also added two more programmable inputs, which is always a bonus.

In terms of raw performance, the Razer Naga V2 Pro MMO Wireless Gaming Mouse didn’t disappoint. The optical sensor inside is incredibly precise; tracking was flawless across my mousepad, and I never experienced any jitters or inaccuracies, even during intense moments. The optical mouse switches under the main buttons felt fantastic – crisp, responsive, and with a satisfying click. Knowing they are rated for 90 million clicks also gives me peace of mind regarding long-term durability, especially given past experiences with switch issues on other mice.

Wireless connectivity was another key area for me. The HyperSpeed wireless, using the 2.4GHz dongle, was virtually indistinguishable from a wired connection. I experienced no lag or dropouts during gaming, which is critical. The little storage spot for the dongle under the side plate is a thoughtful touch for when I might take the mouse on the go. Bluetooth was also an option, offering significantly longer battery life, but I primarily used it for non-gaming tasks, as HyperSpeed was my clear preference for responsiveness.

Comfort-wise, the Razer Naga V2 Pro MMO Wireless Gaming Mouse suited my medium-to-large hands well, especially with a palm or claw grip. The ergonomic shape and the ring finger rest made it comfortable for many hours of continuous use. However, there’s no getting around its weight. At around 134 grams, it’s a hefty mouse. While this provides a sense of stability that can be beneficial in MMOs, it did feel a bit cumbersome when I tried to use it for fast-paced FPS games that demand quick flicks and agility. For those specific scenarios, a lighter mouse would still be my preference.

Battery life has been very impressive. With the RGB lighting (which is only on the logo and the 12-button plate, by the way) used conservatively, I could easily get through a full week of heavy gaming and work before needing a recharge. When the battery did get low, I could simply plug in the flexible USB-C cable and continue playing while it charged, which is very convenient. I haven’t invested in the separate wireless charging puck or dock, but it’s nice to know those options are available and look like they would add a lot of user friendliness to the overall mousing experience.

The Razer Synapse software is the command center for all this customization. It’s undeniably powerful, allowing for intricate button remapping, macro creation, DPI adjustments, and, of course, tweaking that HyperScroll Pro Wheel. While I found it mostly intuitive for basic tasks, the sheer number of options can be a bit overwhelming at first. I also noticed it could be a tad resource-heavy at times, and I encountered a minor bug here and there, though nothing that significantly hampered my experience. Being able to save my profiles directly to the mouse’s onboard memory is a huge plus, meaning I don’t always need Synapse running.

After spending considerable time with the Razer Naga V2 Pro MMO Wireless Gaming Mouse, I can say it’s an incredibly capable and versatile mouse. It truly shines for gamers like me who play a lot of MMOs but also want a mouse that can adapt to other genres without much fuss. The swappable side plates are executed brilliantly, and the core performance is top-notch. The HyperScroll Pro Wheel is an innovative addition, even if I didn’t use its full depth of customization daily. The main considerations are its weight, which makes it less ideal for pure FPS players, and its premium price tag. It’s a serious investment, but if you’re the kind of gamer who will genuinely leverage its vast array of features and adaptability, it’s a powerful tool that can streamline your gameplay across multiple titles. It hasn’t made me a pro overnight, but it has certainly made managing complex games a more controlled and enjoyable experience.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros:

  • Exceptional versatility with three easily swappable side plates (2, 6, and 12-button configurations).
  • Highly innovative and customizable HyperScroll Pro Wheel offers a tailored scrolling experience.
  • Excellent sensor performance and responsive, durable Gen-3 optical mouse switches.
  • Reliable and low-latency HyperSpeed wireless connectivity.
  • Comfortable ergonomic design for medium to large hands, particularly with palm or claw grips.
  • World of Warcraft legendary mounts are excellent!

Cons:

  • High price point.
  • Heavy weight (134g) makes it less suitable for fast-paced FPS games requiring agility.
  • RGB lighting is limited to the logo and the 12-button side plate only.

Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One: Evolved Edition Announcement

Survios, the industry-leading virtual reality studio, in collaboration with 20th Century Games, today announced the development of a PlayStation™5 and PC version of acclaimed action-horror virtual reality game Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One. The previously VR-exclusive shooter, which topped VR sales charts on release in December 2024, will launch as Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One: Evolved Edition on PlayStation™5 and PC via Steam on September 30, 2025.

The PC/PlayStation™5 edition of the game will feature even deadlier Xenomorphs and enhanced visuals, with more details coming soon. Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One: Evolved Edition will launch on PS5 and PC at $29.99 SRP, with the Digital Deluxe edition available for $39.99. Fans can wishlist now on all platforms.

“As a team that truly loves Alien, we’re incredibly proud of the immersive original story we’ve told with Alien: Rogue Incursion,” said TQ Jefferson, Chief Product Officer, Survios. “Following our great start on VR platforms, we’re excited to bring the Evolved Edition to PC and PS5 later this year so that fans of Alien can experience Zula’s journey wherever they prefer to play.”

Set in the Alien universe, Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One sees players suit up as rogue Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks on a mission to the planet Purdan (LV-354) in search of a former squadmate. After a sudden attack, Zula and her Synthetic companion, Davis 01 find themselves in Gemini Exoplanet Solutions’ hauntingly desolate Castor’s Cradle research facility.

Equipping iconic weapons and gear like the Pulse Rifle and Motion Tracker, players will explore the depths of the Xenomorph-infested facility in search of answers, quickly discovering the danger that lurks around every corner. Gather intel and supplies and learn about the Cradle’s former inhabitants on a journey to unlock the mysteries of what went so wrong.

Players can wishlist Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One: Evolved Edition today on PlayStation™ 5 and Steam. Standard and Deluxe VR editions of Alien: Rogue Incursion – Part One are available now on PlayStation™ VR2, PCVR via Steam, and Meta Quest 3 and 3S.

For more information, visit https://alienrogueincursion.com/evolved/ and follow the official Survios social channels on Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Discord, and Facebook.

Creepy Narrative Adventure The Midnight Walk is Out Now

The Midnight Walk, an eerily dark and intricately handcrafted narrative adventure from MoonHood and Fast Travel Games, is available now on PlayStation®5PlayStation®VR2, and PC via Steam with full support for PC VR headsets. Priced at $39.99 USD, the game invites players into a mesmerizing and terrifying world sculpted from clay.

First revealed during Sony’s State of Play, The Midnight Walk has drawn attention for its distinct art direction, surreal storytelling, and stop-motion-style animation. Starting today, players can step into its creepy atmospheric world and experience five strange and stunning tales of fire and darkness.

“With The Midnight Walk, we finally get to share a world we’ve been dreaming of for years — one shaped by our hands and imaginations, down to every crack and shadow,” said Co-Founders of MoonHood Klaus Lyngeled and Olov Redmalm. “It’s a deeply personal project for us, blending everything we love about storytelling, craftsmanship, and atmosphere. At its heart, this is a journey about finding light in the darkest places — and we’re thrilled for players to experience that for themselves.”

Get the game now:

More About The Midnight Walk:
In The Midnight Walk, players become The Burnt One, an enigmatic figure exploring a world steeped in wonder and darkness. Accompanied by Potboy, a lost lantern creature whose flame is key to survival, you must navigate twisted landscapes, outwit horrifying monsters, and uncover secrets lurking in the shadows.

Each of the game’s five chapters introduces unique environments and characters, crafted first in real-world clay before being scanned into the game—creating an unforgettable aesthetic that blends the tactile charm of stop-motion with interactive storytelling.

Frostpunk 2 Free Major Content Update Out Now

11 bit studios is proud to announce the arrival of the first Free Major Content Update for Frostpunk 2, voted Best Strategy/Sim Game at 2024’s The Game Awards. The free update launches globally today for all owners of the game.

This substantial update introduces transformative new systems, a sprawling new map, and several long-requested community features to the city builder, enhancing the grand strategy survival experience.
Highlights from the Update:

  • The Pit – A massive new map for Utopia Builder mode, set around the remnants of a failed Generator project. The rugged terrain and unique crater setting present fresh city-building challenges and visual variety.
  • Tales from the Frostland – Optional narrative challenges featuring unique quests, storylines, and rewards. These scenarios enhance replayability and are fully moddable, paving the way for community-crafted stories.
  • Serenity Mode – A gentler survival experience with mild weather, plentiful resources, and no faction conflict. Perfect for newcomers or players seeking a more reflective pace in the development of their cities and societies.
  • Overhauled Heat System – Temperature management now takes place at the district level, echoing the intensity and stakes of the first Frostpunk. New research, laws, and visible consequences reflect the citizenry’s response to how warmly—or coldly—they are treated.
  • Frostkit 1.0 – The game’s modding tools exit beta, introducing in-editor testing, faster iteration, and new systems that empower creators to shape the frostland in their own vision.

This update marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Frostpunk 2, reinforcing 11 bit studios’ long-term commitment to significant post-launch support and player-driven creativity.

Further updates are already on the horizon in 2025, including more detailed DLC announcements and the long-awaited console release. These milestones will unfold in tandem with the development of the recently announced Frostpunk 1886—a reimagining of the original game, built in Unreal Engine 5 and honoring a pivotal moment in the lore when the Great Storm first descended upon New London.

The frost deepens, but so too does the story of the Frostpunk universe and the people of New London. And because of that, The City Must Not Fall.

World of Tanks Modern Armor Announces Valhalla Mythology-Based Event

World of Tanks Modern Armor is about to embark on a thrilling new chapter with its upcoming event, Valhalla, running from May 13 through June 2. This limited-time event invites players to experience the epic world of Viking lore, where legendary gods and goddesses descend to Midgard, calling on worthy champions to fight by their sides in a battle for glory and honor.

The journey, inspired by Norse mythology, includes at its core the Champions Path Challenge, where players pledge their loyalty to one of three gods: Thor, Loki, or Freyja. Once a god is chosen, tankers will receive that god’s 2D Standard Commander and a Flag Voucher tied to them. Choose wisely— your decision is final and cannot be changed! From there, players progress through Challenge stages by completing missions and earning special points. Each god offers a unique path to victory, with rewards such as Premium tanks, powerful 3D and 2D Commanders, thematic in-game items, discounts on special vehicles (including Gungnir, Odin’s exclusive vehicle), and more.

The following four thematic tanks, inspired by Norse gods, debut with the Valhalla event:

  • Mjölnir: Power through battles in a tank designed for strength and speed, featuring Thor’s iconic hammer and Viking symbols.
  • Lævateinn: A homage to Loki, it’s a tank that’s as elusive and unpredictable as the trickster god himself, with intricate designs and deceptive flair.
  • Thrungva: Harness Freyja’s strength with a tank decked out in battle-ready war paint and designs inspired by her fierce warrior nature.
  • Gungnir: Command a tank that embodies the wisdom and strength of Odin, designed as a fierce and focused Viking attack master.

Players will also have an opportunity to share the gods’ favors with their allies by sending “Valhalla Blessings,” gifting each other rewards based on Thor, Loki, and Freyja’s powers. Furthermore, tankers can demonstrate their might in the “Brawls of Valhalla,” a special 7v7 mode.

The development team at World of Tanks Modern Armor was inspired by Viking mythology’s deep narratives of gods, goddesses, and their mighty battles. According to Grant Wojciechowski, Lead Quest Designer, “We wanted to bring the rich stories of Viking mythology to life in a way that would let players not only fight for glory but feel like they were truly earning the favor of the gods.”

Andy Dorizas, Art Director, explained that the team struck a balance between the gritty realism of modern tanks and the fantastical elements of Viking myth. “We did a lot of research to ensure that our tanks embodied the spirit of the gods while maintaining that sense of power and awe,” he said.

For more details about the event, please visit: https://wotma.gg/valhalla