Stellar film, television, and video game music composer Bear McCreary follows his successful Themes & Variations concert tour of Europe with six dates in North America, starting this week at New York’s Gramercy Theatre on Thursday, May 22, Boston’s Somerville Theatre on Friday, May 23, and the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC on Sunday, May 25. Tickets and exclusive VIP Packages are currently available at https://bearmccreary.com/events/.
The Themes & Variations shows feature a mesmerizing mix of McCreary’s popular compositions ranging from several of his epic film and TV scores to metal/rock selections from his landmark album/graphic novel/experience The Singularity. McCreary and the band will continue the North American leg of the tour next week with stops at Montreal’s Théâtre Beanfield on May 27, Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall on May 28, and Chicago’s Vic Theatre on May 31.
For McCreary, best known for his beloved compositions for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Outlander, Battlestar Galactica, and The Walking Dead, Themes & Variations represents his maiden voyage on the concert touring circuit. Thus far the band has been hailed by adoring fans for their unforgettable performances in the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, and will follow the North American leg with a multi-city tour through Australia. While admittedly growing personally and professionally during this on-the-road learning experience, McCreary has also been overwhelmed by the wildly positive reaction from audiences.
“My most vivid memory onstage is picking up the hurdy-gurdy mid-set and moving to the front of the stage, when, night after night, the crowds have gone crazy,” McCreary recalls. “I am not even certain they knew what the hell the instrument was; they just knew it was time for something crazy to go down.
So far, I feel like fans of my music are having a great time no matter what particular side of my musical personality we’ve brought to the show. I hear people singing along with rock songs from The Singularity. Battlestar Galactica fans have started chanting “So Say We All!” at the top of their lungs. People have come dressed as pirates to erupt into vocals during my music from Black Sails. It seems there’s something for everybody!”
Given the immense popularity of so many of his film, TV, and video game scores, McCreary has been particularly pleased with each night’s audience feedback for one of his most recent compositions.
“The biggest surprise of the tour so far has been the reaction to ‘The End of Tomorrow,’ the climactic 10-minute song from The Singularity,” McCreary says. “From its somber cinematic opening to its epic sing-along finale, I feel engagement from the audience. As an artist, it’s truly a wonderful feeling to experience.”
While music is at the forefront of his focus, McCreary admits there are some more subtle, everyday lessons he’s come to understand as essential for life on the road.
“I have been asking all my friends who have spent their lives touring with bands for tips, and everyone has offered real, tangible advice,” McCreary says. “However, it was my friend Duff McKagan, bassist for Guns N’ Roses, who perhaps offered the most useful advice. He walked me through all his tips for dealing with dirty laundry while out on the road and, sure enough, his advice proved essential. I remember one surreal moment texting Duff a picture of my laundry and getting a wildly enthusiastic response. So, that was a surprising discovery. These are the parts of rock star life you don’t think about!”
Albion Online, the fantasy sandbox MMORPG from Sandbox Interactive, will release the new Abyssal Depths update on June 30, 2025. This update contains a major overhaul of the new player experience, making the game more accessible than ever, and introduces an entirely new PvP feature in the form of a brand-new type of dungeon. Albion Online also has a new Dev Talk video out today featuring an overview of the Abyssal Depths update with Game Director Moritz Bokelmann.
This new kind of PvP-focused dungeon is a fast-paced, high-stakes battleground pitting groups of two or three players against monsters and other player characters in a collapsing environment filled with tactical objectives, all to earn new and unique rewards.
The other main focus of the update lies in how Albion Online introduces itself to new players. One of the key changes is the integration of the post-tutorial experience into the existing Albion Journal, which now provides a much clearer and more structured guide through the early stages of the game.
Additionally, Abyssal Depths will bring UI improvements like a streamlined HUD Tracker, with additional interactive tutorial features alongside a number of quality-of-life changes to the early game flow to better reflect the Albion Online experience, especially around crafting, the Destiny Board, and the use of buildings.
“Welcome to the colony” might just be the words gamers can’t wait to hear: Over 1,000,000 players have already wishlisted the Gothic 1 Remake on Steam, rocketing it to #21 on the platform’s global most-wishlisted games chart.
THQ Nordic and Developer Alkimia Interactive are grateful for the incredible support and are fully committed to delivering a remake worthy of the original’s legacy. While the full release is still in the works, players can already get a taste of what’s to come by diving into the Nyras-Prologue, a free demo on Steam that’s just been updated. It offers a solid glimpse of the gameplay and atmosphere – without spoiling any of the story.
Curious about how Alkimia Interactive is handling the Gothic legacy with care and how much fan feedback shapes development? Check out the ongoing Making-of series on YouTube:
THQ Nordic EU Store
EU Store Collector’s Edition: https://thqn.net/3Uc9gSW
EU Store Standard Edition: https://thqn.net/3U9ydOR
More pre-order options are available at the official Website:
https://gothic.thqnordic.com/
Gothic 1 Remake is currently in development for PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S. Stay tuned for more updates on the official website:
The ultimate celebration of Japanese car culture has officially hit the streets. JDM: Japanese Drift Master, the highly anticipated racing experience from Gaming Factory, is now available on Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store for $34.99 USD — with a 15% launch discount available for the first two weeks to welcome all new drivers to the streets of Guntama.
Explore the Soul of Japan
From buzzing city centers to remote mountain passes, JDM invites players into an open world inspired by Japan’s iconic scenery and underground racing culture. Cruise freely, participate in exciting driving events, or simply take in the view – every road tells a story.
Fully Customizable. Utterly You.
With one of the most in-depth tuning systems in the genre, JDM gives players complete control over mechanical performance and visual style. From under-the-hood tweaks to full body kits, your car becomes a true extension of your identity.
Drive the Legends
Featuring officially licensed cars from top Japanese automakers like Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Subaru, each vehicle is modeled with stunning detail for a truly authentic ride.
A Manga Story Mode That Shifts Gears
Experience the world of JDM through a narrative that blends fast-paced racing with emotional storytelling – all brought to life through fully illustrated manga panels. Rise through the ranks, meet unforgettable characters, and carve out your legacy in the underground drift scene.
What’s Next for JDM?
This is just the beginning. The team at Gaming Factory has exciting plans for JDM: Japanese Drift Master, and we’re thrilled to share a sneak peek at what’s coming next. From new cars and challenges to feature updates, check out the full post-launch roadmap in the infographic below.
Available Now
JDM: Japanese Drift Master is out now on Steam, GOG, and Epic Games Store for $34.99 USD.
MAVRIX, the high-adrenaline open world mountain biking game, has just dropped its first official trailer, giving fans an exciting first look at the most authentic mountain biking game yet. Designed by Red Bull athlete Matt Jones and developed by Third Kind Games, MAVRIX is the first mountain biking game created by a MTB pro rider, featuring realistic bike physics, dual-stick controls, and a massive handcrafted open world that delivers a creative, technical, fully sendable ride that feels true to the sport.
MAVRIX delivers an authentic and extreme digital mountain biking experience set in a vast open world inspired by the Welsh mountains, where players launch off cliffs, rip through forest trails, and compete in thrilling 50-player mass start races. Combining realistic handling and precise controls with creative freedom, it lets players style tricks, chase clean landings, or simply send it.
Matt Jones’ real-world riding expertise shapes the physics and control system to authentically mirror true mountain biking. Dual-stick controls and independent braking give players complete freedom to express their style while meeting the sport’s technical demands. The game also features live Red Bull event integration, bringing real-world competitions directly into the gameplay, allowing the community to ride alongside the action as it unfolds.
Even before launch, MAVRIX has built a passionate community of over 60,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Discord, drawn by its pro athlete-backed promise of high-adrenaline multiplayer action and authentic riding. Featuring 100 square kilometers of varied terrain with online races, time trials, and technical challenges, MAVRIX offers an exciting playground that blends technical skill with pure fun for adventure sports fans.
When players join MAVRIX, they’re guided through an engaging first-time experience that introduces core controls, gameplay, and trail discovery. The core loop encourages players to find trails and challenges, complete them, earn Moolah, and unlock custom gear. Each trail has its own global leaderboard, with race commentary from Red Bull legend and ex-World Cup winner Rob Warner, the voice featured in the trailer. Completing challenges builds reputation and earns Moolah, the in-game currency used to customise bikes, components, and clothing.
To further the gameplay experience, MAVRIX features a sponsorship system that mirrors a real MTB career. As players complete challenges and grow their reputation, new contracts become available, offering better deals and exclusive items. Public reputation levels also add another social and competitive element to the game. A POV camera mode, toggled with a single button, provides a heightened sense of speed and control, along with multiplayer join codes that let friends ride together on the same server.
“I’m stoked to finally give fans a glimpse of MAVRIX, a game that truly captures the heart and soul of mountain biking,” says Matt Jones, MAVRIX creator and professional mountain biker. “It’s been a lot of hard work to build a game that truly reflects the spirit of mountain biking, and seeing it come to life is incredibly rewarding. I’m really looking forward to players diving in, mastering the controls, and pushing their limits. And this is just the beginning.”
Launching into Early Access this summer on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store MAVRIX invites players to explore, compete, and build their own mountain biking legacy in a game built by riders, for riders.
Wishlist the game today on Steam and Epic Games Store and be the first to ride when the gates open.
Hope and Fear roll onto tabletops today as Daggerheart, the new fantasy TTRPG from Critical Role’s publishing arm Darrington Press, officially releases worldwide. Rooted in Critical Role’s legacy of collaborative storytelling and shaped with the help of over 150,000 open-beta playtesters, Daggerheart invites players into heroic, emotionally charged adventures where every roll of the signature dual-d12 “Duality Dice” shifts the balance between triumph and consequence.
Blending the depth of traditional role-playing games with streamlined, narrative-first mechanics, Daggerheart is designed for long-form campaigns and episodic play alike. Built to support immersive worldbuilding and responsive gameplay, it offers a flexible, character-driven experience welcoming to both newcomers and veteran players.
Blending the depth of traditional role-playing games with streamlined, narrative-first mechanics, Daggerheart is designed for long-form campaigns and episodic play alike. Built to support immersive worldbuilding and responsive gameplay, it offers a flexible, character-driven experience welcoming to both newcomers and veteran players.
Daggerheart Key Features:
Hope & Fear Mechanics: At the heart of the system are the Duality Dice; two twelve-sided dice representing Hope and Fear. Players roll both to resolve actions, creating emotional stakes in every moment.
Collaborative Worldbuilding Tools: Explore mythic landscapes, face dangerous foes, and uncover ancient secrets in campaigns shaped by both players and the GM.
Ready-Made Campaign Frames: Dive into six ready-made campaign frames that provide inspiration, tools, and mechanics to support a specific story your table can tell, from the cozy cooking and dungeoneering of “Beast Feast” to the post-apocalyptic world of technological marvels in “Motherboard.”
Asymmetrical Play: Players roll d12s to resolve actions while game masters use d20s for adversaries, keeping gameplay dynamic and unpredictable.
Card-Based Character Creation: Easily build characters using beautifully illustrated Ancestry, Community, Subclass, and Domain cards, bringing core abilities to the table without constant page-flipping.
The Daggerheart Core Set (MSRP $59.99 USD) packages
everything a group needs to begin adventuring:
A 366-page, lavishly illustrated hardcover rulebook that covers character creation, worldbuilding, and game master tools, alongside examples of play and tutorials.
279 illustrated cards featuring Ancestry, Community, Subclass, and Domain cards.
Beginning June 3, 2025, the Daggerheart Core Set will be available everywhere else that books and games are sold, thanks to the recent Darrington Press partnership with Macmillan Publishers.
Catch Daggerheart in Action in Critical Role’s Age of Umbra
Guided by game master Matthew Mercer, Critical Role’s Age of Umbra mini-series, premiering May 22 with a Session Zero character and worldbuilding, lifts the “Age of Umbra” campaign frame straight from the Daggerheart Core Set, so every Hope-vs-Fear roll, narrative twist, and fast-paced combat beat you see on screen is exactly what you’ll find at your own table. Tune in each Thursday to watch the cast battle for flickers of hope in a grim, souls-like world, then crack open the Daggerheart Core Set to continue the story with your group.
Experience Daggerheart Firsthand
Daggerheart games will be available to play this year at UK Games Expo (Birmingham, May 30 – June 1), Gen Con (Indianapolis, July 31 – August 3), and PAX Unplugged (Philadelphia, November 21 – 23), with more to come.
For more updates, including previews, new releases, event announcements, and more, visit Daggerheart.com.
Arrow Video is excited to announce the June 2025 lineup of their subscription-based ARROW platform, available to subscribers in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. Enjoy a selection of new titles, from carefully cultivated curations to shorts by new talent. For serious enthusiasts, ARROW offers deep dives into the tastes of filmmakers that changed the way we see the genre.
The ARROW June 2025 lineup bookends with Korean and Japanese genre gems. At the top of the month, exclusively on ARROW, subscribers can enjoy Devils, an intense op/serial killer body swap from writer/director Kim Jae-hoon, and Body Parts, an a twisted and grisly anthology, featuring five ritualistic gruesome tales. June will cap with an underseen Japanese gem. Mysterious sprites, eerie supernatural goings on and heroic sword-fighting action in The Invisible Swordsman, a mystical tale of vengeance and adventure from the makers of the Zatoichi, Daimajin and Yokai Monsters films.
The lineup kicks off June 6 with Killer K-Horror (UK/IRE/US/CAN), a varied collection of Korean nightmares. You’ll find twisted tales and blood-soaked confrontations, revengeful spirits and ravenous zombies… And when you think it’s finally over, that’s when it truly begins.
Titles Include: Body Parts, Devils, Zombie For Sale.
Body Parts (UK/IRE/US/CAN): Si-kyung, a young reporter, infiltrates an unnamed religious group. Invited to a special ceremony, she witnesses strange things happening in the prayer house. Five sacrifices and five stories are offered by the people who desperately wait to be heard by their god. When the story is over, she too must make a sacrifice.
Devils (UK/IRE/US/CAN): Having lost his colleague to a serial murderer two years ago, homicide detective Jae-hwan is unable to contain his hatred toward the murderer and dives headfirst into hunting the brutal killer. Jae-hwan finally comes face to face with the murderer Jin-hyuk but in the heat of the chase, they get into an accident. Waking up in a hospital, Jae-hwan realizes his body has been switched with that of the murderer. To protect his family and uncover the secret of this body switch, Jae-hwan, who’s trapped in the murderer’s body, begins a desperate chase.
On June 11, the director of The Nun and The Hallow takes his town through the archives of ARROW in Corin Hardy Selects.
“Pick 10 you say? I say I’m picking 22. And that was tough as well. There’s some of Asian cinema’s finest revenge and J-Horror, nightmarish horror dream-worlds, monsters, demons and ‘shunting’, so definitely something for everyone.”
Titles Include: Creepshow II, Basket Case, When Romero Met Del Toro.
Streaming as of June 13, Calvaire (UK/IRE/US/CAN), is a gripping, utterly involving thriller that has drawn comparisons to Deliverance and The Hills Have Eyes. Traveling cabaret singer Marc Stevens (Laurent Lucas, Raw), finds himself stranded when his van breaks down in a remote mountain region in France, but is rescued by local innkeeper Mr. Bartel (Jackie Berroyer) who offers to help Marc fix his van and give him shelter for the night. But Bartel is fragile and unstable, and Marc reminds him of his long lost wife. Soon, Bartel is refusing to let Marc leave. With his van sabotaged and no means of calling for help, Marc’s ordeal is about to begin…
On June 20, exclusive for US subscribers, ARROW offers Extinction: The GMO Chronicles (US). The remaining survivors of pan-global epidemic face a race against time to find a cure before they succumb to its zombie-inducing effects.
June 23 brings the lineup to an epic close with The Invisible Swordsman (UK/ IRE/ US/ CAN). In Edo-era Japan, Sanshiro diligently hones his sword-fighting technique at the kendo dojo, but no amount of practice can hide the fact that he is both clumsy and cowardly. When his samurai father falls prey to a gang of murderous phantom thieves while on night watch duties, Sanshiro is drawn to the banks of the Sanzu River that separates the worlds of the living and the dead. Here he encounters a strange being that introduces itself as a Shokera. The otherworldly apparition offers advice on how Sanshiro can avenge his father with the aid of a mysterious potion with the power to turn him invisible. But first Sanshiro must gather the ingredients, and his father’s killers might be closer to home than he thinks.
Directed by Yoshiyuki Kuroda (Lone Wolf and Cub: White Heaven in Hell), and beautifully shot by Hiroshi Imai (The Haunted Palace), the film boasts a sumptuous attention to its historical setting, costume design, fight choreography and period details, all with an added dose of rip-roaring fantasy and adventure.
Ubisoft and Laced Records have renewed their adherence to the brotherhood to bring the music of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to vinyl.
Pre-orders are now open for the Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Soundtrack Collection Limited Edition 4LP box set (exclusive to www.lacedrecords.com) featuring 44 specially mastered tracks on translucent red and black splatter discs. The set includes three albums created for the game: the original score and two sets of songs focused on the game’s protagonists, blending psychedelic rock with Japanese sounds and instruments.
2LP – Assassins’s Creed Shadows – Original Score (by The Flight)
1LP – The Naoe-focused Kage No Iro (by Japanese-Canadian psych-rock band TEKE::TEKE)
1LP – The Yasuke-focused UKOMBOZI (by composition team Thunderdrum featuring Tiggs Da Author)
Each album included in the box set is also available separately in Limited Edition disc variants.
Original score
Composer duo The Flight (Joe Henson and Alexis Smith) return to the Assassin’s Creed series to deliver a dark, modern score, fusing traditional Japanese instrumentation with orchestral and electronic elements. The resulting blend of contemporary production techniques and traditional music reflects the series’ fusion of science fiction and popular history. The dual protagonists of Assassin’s Creed Shadows are represented with different instruments and musical approaches: Naoe by her in-game instrument of choice, the clay flute (tsuchibue) and disembodied whispering during stealth moments; and Yasuke with the sharper sounds of the stringed Shamisen and rhythmic intensity.
The Flight turned to master players for the performances of Japanese instruments, including Keiko Kitamura (Koto) and Hibiki Ichikawa (Shamisen). Other performers include vocalist Akari Mochizuki; flautists Kristin Naigus, Oriol Singh and Andy Findon; and The Flight’s musical collaborator on Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Michael Georgiades.
‘Kage No Iro’
The Montreal-based band TEKE::TEKE were commissioned to give Assassins’s Creed Shadows’ swift and stealthy protagonist Naoe her impactful ‘needle drop’ story moments. Their surf and psych rock influences were a natural fit for the game’s direction, with the developers imagining a Tarantino soundtrack when sourcing music for Shadows. In a twist, the band were tasked with interpreting Jesper Kyd’s iconic series theme, “Ezio’s Family” — normally adapted as part of the score music. The TEKE::TEKE members’ Japanese heritage connected them deeply to the game’s setting. Fittingly, through their research and absorption in the project, the band tapped into ‘shinobi-do’, the philosophy of the shinobi that remains central to the game.
‘UKOMBOZI’
Production team Thunderdrum (Alex Cameron Ward, Félix Rebaud-Sauer & Hugo Brijs) focused on bringing Yasuke’s redemptive story to life. They collaborated with British-Tanzanian vocalist Tiggs Da Author, who has worked with icons like J Hus and Stefflon Don. Fusing Morricone guitars, East African rhythms and traditional Japanese flutes with psych-rock instrumentals, Thunderdrum display their strength in guitar music and scoring whilst Tiggs Da Author enters bold new territory, this being his first release singing in his native language of Swahili.
RØDE has today unveiled the NTH-50 professional on-ear headphones, the latest addition to its award-winning headphone lineup. Designed for professionals who demand pristine audio, the NTH-50s deliver extraordinary sonic precision, exceptional comfort, and superior noise isolation in a lightweight, durable on-ear design. Offering a natural and balanced sound signature with ultra-low distortion and superior passive noise isolation, the NTH-50s are tailor-made for DJs, sound engineers and creators who require premium sound reproduction, all-day comfort, and rugged durability. Priced at just US$99, the NTH-50s provide an unparalleled opportunity for anyone serious about sound to elevate their listening experience.
KEY FEATURES OF THE NTH-50 HEADPHONES
Custom-matched 40mm driver with revolutionary resonant chamber that provides deep and balanced bass while maintaining detailed midrange and treble clarity
Innovative acoustic design that offers accurate frequency response and ultra-low distortion for a rich and detailed listening experience
Superior passive noise isolation for undisturbed critical monitoring
Contoured headband to minimise wearing fatigue and encourage extended creative sessions
Sleek, durable and lightweight construction that offers the ideal blend of contemporary design and long-lasting performance
Detachable cable with locking connector featuring dual-sided attachment for maximum flexibility and convenience
Designed and made with a lifetime warranty using high-grade components in RØDE’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney, Australia
“At RØDE, we are committed to developing innovative audio solutions to meet the ever-evolving needs of creators,” said Damien Wilson, CEO of RØDE. “The NTH-50s embody this philosophy, offering a level of sonic accuracy, comfort and durability that marks a new gold standard for on-ear headphones. Engineered from the ground up by our dedicated headphone innovation team in Germany, we’ve crafted a pair of premium headphones at an affordable price point that deliver an incredibly detailed and immersive listening experience in any environment. Once again, RØDE has over-achieved in the pursuit of delivering world-class monitoring technology.”
BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED AUDIO
At the heart of the NTH-50s is a custom-engineered 40mm dynamic driver housed within an innovative resonant chamber. This design delivers impeccable sound clarity, offering incredibly accurate frequency response, ultra-low distortion and a perfectly balanced sound signature that combines rich, natural bass with detailed midrange, and crisp highs. Whether you’re monitoring, mixing, mastering, or enjoying your favourite tracks, the NTH-50s provide incredibly accurate sound reproduction and dynamic tonal depth, capturing every nuance exactly as intended.
Engineered to excel in diverse environments, the NTH-50s offer outstanding passive noise isolation (-21 dBA), minimising external distractions and preventing sound bleed during recording. With high SPL capabilities and exceptional sensitivity, the NTH-50s generate pristine audio even in the noisiest settings, making them ideal for live performances and studio monitoring.
UNRIVALLED COMFORT FOR EXTENDED USE
With any pair of headphones, comfort is just as vital as sound quality, and the NTH-50s deliver on both fronts, seamlessly blending precision engineering with a design that prioritises the user experience. A contoured headband, featuring an integrated fontanel recess has been adopted to alleviate pressure on the top of the head, significantly reducing fatigue during extended creative sessions in the studio, on stage or in the field. Lightweight and fully adjustable, the NTH-50s evenly distribute pressure for a tailored fit that effortlessly accommodates all users, including those who wear glasses, empowering all creators to hone their craft for hours on end in supreme comfort.
Complementing the on-ear design, the earcups are lined with premium memory foam padding, expertly engineered to conform to the unique contours of any ears. This ensures a snug yet breathable fit, enhancing airflow to reduce heat buildup while simultaneously offering advanced passive noise dampening.
BUILT TO LAST A LIFETIME
Designed and built in Sydney, Australia, the NTH-50s have been masterfully crafted using lightweight yet durable materials such as premium aluminium faceplates, developed to withstand the rigours of daily professional use. Backed by RØDE’s lifetime warranty, a modular design featuring replaceable components such as the headband, ear cushions, and cables ensures maximum longevity, while dual-sided cable attachments add flexibility to any workflow. Colour-coded earcup identifiers have also been applied to ensure quick and easy orientation in low-light environments, a thoughtful touch that reflects RØDE’s commitment to innovation. Finished with a scratch-resistant matte black coating, the NTH-50s offer a sleek and professional aesthetic that accentuates their robust performance.
The NTH-50s include a premium 1.7m double-coiled monitoring cable, storage pouch, and a 3.5mm to ¼-inch adapter, ensuring seamless connectivity across professional setups. Thoughtfully designed for creators, they feature colour-coded ID rings for easy cable management and full compatibility with the NTH-100 accessory range, including modular cable options. For even greater versatility, the NTH-Mic transforms them into a broadcast-quality headset, making them the ultimate tool for podcasting, streaming, and content creation.
The NTH-50 on-ear headphones are available to purchase now for US$99 and are shipping worldwide. Learn more about the NTH-50s at https://rode.com/headphones/on-ear/nth-50
As a content creator who has grappled with the nuances of audio for video for many years, the arrival of a new iteration in RØDE’s renowned Wireless GO series always piques my interest. The promise of compact, high-quality wireless audio is a siren song for anyone who’s ever lost a perfect take to a clipped microphone or a sudden burst of interference. So, when the RØDE Wireless GO (Gen 3) landed on my desk, I was keen to put it through its paces and see if it truly represents the next step forward in this popular line.
Unboxing the Wireless GO (Gen 3), the familiar RØDE aesthetic of sleek, functional design is immediately apparent. The two transmitters and single receiver feel solid and well-built, ready for the rigors of field use. The package includes a useful array of cables – USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to USB-C, and a TRS to TRS for camera connection – which is a thoughtful touch for out-of-the-box compatibility with most devices. There are also three furry windshields for the built-in mics and a soft carry pouch. However, what’s not in the box is just as notable. There are no lavalier microphones included, and perhaps more significantly for many, no hard charging case with an integrated battery. Instead, RØDE provides what they call the SC33 charging hub, which is essentially a three-way USB-C splitter cable allowing simultaneous charging of all units from a single power source. While functional, it’s not the portable power solution many have come to expect.
Firing up the system is as simple as its predecessors – power on, and they pair almost instantly. The bright LCD on the receiver is a welcome feature, providing clear, at-a-glance information on levels, connection status, and battery life. But the real magic of the Gen 3 lies in its internal upgrades. The headline feature, for me, is the 32-bit float on-board recording in each transmitter. With over 40 hours of recording capacity per transmitter, this is an absolute game-changer for audio safety. Knowing that I have a pristine backup recording that can recover audio from even the most extreme dynamic shifts – whether it was recorded too loud and clipped, or far too quiet – brings an incredible peace of mind. This feature alone significantly reduces the stress of monitoring backup levels obsessively during a shoot. It’s important to remember, though, that this 32-bit float goodness applies only to the internal recordings on the transmitters; the signal sent to your camera is not 32-bit float.
That’s where the second star feature, Intelligent GainAssist, comes into play for the camera audio. This technology automatically adjusts and balances the audio levels being sent to my camera, aiming to prevent clipping and deliver a clean, well-leveled track. In my tests, it worked remarkably well, smoothing out dialogue and reducing the need for extensive post-production tweaking on the camera audio. There are different modes, and it can be turned off if I prefer full manual control, which is also available with a generous 30dB range. Coupled with the safety channel option, which records a secondary track at a lower volume, the system provides a robust defense against ruined audio.
The audio quality from the upgraded built-in omnidirectional microphones is genuinely excellent. They share the same improved capsules and preamps as RØDE’s higher-tier Wireless PRO system, and it shows. Voices come through with clarity and warmth, making them perfectly usable for vlogging, interviews, or any situation where a discrete lavalier isn’t strictly necessary. Speaking of lavaliers, the transmitters now feature locking 3.5mm TRS connectors. This is a small but hugely significant improvement, ensuring that an external microphone won’t accidentally get unplugged during an active shoot – a frustration I’ve experienced with non-locking connectors in the past.
Wireless performance, thanks to RØDE’s Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission, is also impressive, boasting a line-of-sight range of up to 260 meters. I found the connection to be stable and reliable, even at considerable distances, and the near-zero latency meant no noticeable sync issues in my video edits. The system is also designed for better performance in crowded RF environments, which is a welcome assurance.
Battery life is rated at up to 7 hours for both transmitters and the receiver, which is respectable and generally got me through most of my shooting days. The plug-in power detect feature, which automatically powers the system on and off with a connected camera, is a smart addition for conserving battery. However, the lack of an included battery-equipped charging case means that for extended field use without access to power, the optional Charge Case+ (an $89 USD extra) becomes almost essential. This case provides two full recharges, extending total use to around 21 hours.
In terms of user experience, the Wireless GO (Gen 3) is largely intuitive. The RØDE Central app (for desktop and mobile) is necessary for firmware updates, accessing advanced features, and, crucially, for exporting those 32-bit float recordings. While the transmitters are compact for the tech they house, they can feel a little bulky when clipped directly to clothing, especially if discretion is key. I also found that, like any built-in mic on a transmitter, careful placement is needed to avoid clothing rustle.
This brings me to the crux of the Wireless GO (Gen 3)’s proposition: its value. Technologically, it’s a superb system. The audio safety features are top-notch. However, the base price of around $299 USD, without lavalier mics or a battery charging case, puts it in a slightly awkward position. If I add the Charge Case+, the total cost approaches $388 USD. At this point, RØDE’s own Wireless PRO system, which often retails for around $315-$349 (sometimes discounted) and includes two high-quality Lavalier II microphones, a smart charging case, and timecode functionality, starts to look like a more compelling package for many.
So, who is the Wireless GO (Gen 3) for? I believe it’s for the content creator who absolutely prioritizes the 32-bit float on-board recording and GainAssist for camera audio, perhaps already owns a set of favorite lavalier microphones, and doesn’t immediately need the extended field power of a charging case or the timecode capabilities of the PRO. The wide array of available colors is also a fun touch for personalization.
In conclusion, the RØDE Wireless GO (Gen 3) is a technically brilliant piece of audio gear that delivers on its promise of high-quality, reliable wireless audio with some truly outstanding safety features. The 32-bit float recording and GainAssist are standout innovations that genuinely make a difference in the field. However, its value proposition is somewhat muddied by the lack of included key accessories, especially when compared to its highly capable sibling, the Wireless PRO. It’s an excellent product, but one that requires careful consideration of your existing gear and overall budget to see if it’s the right fit for your specific needs.
