Author - Jerry Paxton

Death Stranding Director’s Cut Now Available on Xbox Game Pass and PC

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and 505 Games are proud to announce that DEATH STRANDING DIRECTORS CUT, the definitive version of Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying epic, is now available for Xbox Game Pass across PC and console, only for subscribers on the Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate tiers.

In DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT, take on the role of Sam Bridges as he embarks on a mission to deliver hope to humanity by connecting the last survivors of a decimated America. Guide Sam and reconnect a fractured society after a cataclysmic event known as the ‘Death Stranding’ opens the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead, leading to grotesque creatures from the afterlife roaming the fallen world.

DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT is the definitive experience which also introduces a new ‘Ruined Factory’ location, a treacherous underground compound packed with fresh dangers. Sam also now has a wealth of new delivery assists, from cargo catapults and ramps, to a stabiliser which features thrusters that assist with cargo weight shifts and reduce the impact of landing when jumping from high areas. Melee combat has been amped up with the addition of more moves including a drop kick, whilst the new Maser Gun can stun enemies and short-circuit vehicles temporarily with electricity. Finding the perfect weapon loadout is now achievable thanks to the new firing range location, whilst the new Racetrack enables players to race and compete in time-attack competitions against other players who are connected online. Protagonist Sam Bridges can even ride Buddy Bots to traverse the wastelands with greater ease.

The ground-breaking experience from legendary game creator Hideo Kojima, DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT also features the acting and voice talents led by a star-studded cast including Norman Reedus as Sam Bridges, Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, Margaret Qualley, and Lindsay Wagner.

The Xbox version of DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT has also recently received an update to optimise the game for handhelds, so owners of the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally devices will also be able to play the game on the go!

Purchase DEATH STRANDING DIRECTORS CUT through the Xbox Games Store.

For more information on Xbox Game Pass, please click here.

Crimson Desert Goes Gold

Pearl Abyss announced today that its upcoming title Crimson Desert has officially gone gold, marking a major development milestone ahead of its global launch.

In a message shared via the official Crimson Desert social media channels, Pearl Abyss thanked fans worldwide for their continued support. “We sincerely thank our fans around the world for being with us on this meaningful journey,” the developer said. “Thanks to your support, we have reached this important milestone. We look forward to welcoming you to the continent of Pywel on March 19”.

Crimson Desert has generated strong anticipation through its presence at major global gaming events, including The Game Awards, the Game Developers Conference, Summer Game

Fest, ChinaJoy, Gamescom, TwitchCon, PAX EAST and WEST, Paris Games Week, and the Tokyo Game Show.

Set in the vast continent of Pywel, Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game that follows the journey of protagonist Kliff and his Greymane companions. The title has been praised for its realistic, high-fidelity graphics, dynamic combat, and the freedom and interactivity of its open world, delivering a heightened sense of immersion and intensity.

Pre-orders are now live across PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Apple Mac, and the Epic Games Store. For more information, please visit the official website and follow Crimson Desert on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Free Demo Releases Tomorrow

Today, SEGA announced that players will soon be able to experience an early look at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s upcoming title Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties when the free demo releases tomorrow, January 21, 2026. Players can jump into the action by downloading the demo on Steam starting 7 a.m. PT followed by consoles (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2) at 9 p.m. PT.

In this free demo, players will experience both games included in the two-games-in-one, action-adventure beat ‘em up.

  • In Yakuza Kiwami 3, players can explore Ryukyu, Okinawa as Kazuma Kiryu, beating down bad guys while dynamically switching between Kiryu’s brutal Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami and weapon-based Ryukyu styles and indulging in immersive side experiences like karaoke, sub-stories, outfit customization and more.

  • In Dark Ties, players can enjoy a slice of the all-new story featuring Yoshitaka Mine, exploring Kamurocho and variety of side experiences while also sinking their teeth into Mine’s shoot-boxing combat to stylishly dispose of foes.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties launches February 12, 2026 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. To pre-order Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, as well as stay up to date on the latest news, please visit the official Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties website.

World of Warships: Legends January 2026 Update Details

Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading historically accurate naval multiplayer game for console and mobile, World of Warships: Legends, is sailing into 2026 with a brand new January content update. Headlining additions include the new Born of Battle Campaign, Wave 7 of Azur Lane, the French Navy Event, and Gouden Leeuw Bureau Project. A new Marathon has also started for the Soviet Legendary Tier battleship Kremlin.

Born of Battle Campaign brings new rewards to World of Warships: Legends

The first campaign of the year has arrived. Available until February 23, the Born of Battle campaign features 100 milestones for players to work through, with a plethora of awards available, from camouflages to crates and more. Waiting at the end for those that complete the entire campaign with Admiralty backing is British Tier VIII Premium destroyer Somme. This versatile vessel equipped with stealthy long-range torpedoes, and the Torpedo Reload Booster, granting unlimited charges for maximum destruction.

New limited-time Azur Lane content available from Jan 19th to Feb 23rd

Azur Lane returns to Legendary waters with Wave 7, bringing new content from the hit sidescrolling naval warfare game to World of Warships: Legends. Starting on 19 January, World of Warships: Legends players can sail into battle with five new Azur Lane Commanders, Italian Tier VII Premium battleship AL Vittorio Veneto, German Tier VIII Premium cruiser AL Ägir, Soviet Tier VI Premium cruiser AL Tallinn, and German torpedo-focused destroyer AL Z-24, plus a new Crate and a skin of the AL Massachusetts.

Vive la France! The French Navy Event has begun

A new French Navy Event makes waves on the high seas with themed rewards, including special French Battleship Crates. These crates contain skins for French battleships Normandie, Lyon, Richelieu, Alsace, Bourgogne, Strasbourg, and Flandre, alongside the chance to drop Premium battleships Strasbourg or Flandre themselves. Crates can also be obtained via the new Keeper of Liberty Calendar, which upon completion rewards players with the Marianne guise for French Commanders. In addition to the new event and Keeper of Liberty calendar, daring players can take part in the Mer de Courage mission to unlock French Commander Charles Bléry.

Legendary ships and additional updates

Two Legendary ships are also arriving: Dutch Legendary Tier cruiser Gouden Leeuw with huge damage-dealing airstrike capabilities is here as a Bureau Project, and players are able to start collecting Ship Parts to unlock the Soviet Legendary Tier battleship Kremlin as part of a 3-update marathon.

Additionally, players can look forward to new seasons of Fleet Cup, Ranked Battles, and Brawls in this update, along with the full release of Japanese hybrid battleships, and plenty of additional improvements. Closing out the update, from February 9 to 23, players can complete a special mission and enjoy discounted ships, skins, and Commander guises as part of Lunar New Year celebrations.

The full patch notes are available here.

Wizards of the Coast Partners With Creators to Bring Dungeons & Dragons to Fortnite

Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), today announced a collab with Chartis and Teravision Games, two of the leading community creators of Fortnite Islands including Zombie Escape Tag and Havoc Hotel. These creators have launched a special series of fan-made islands inspired by DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, the World’s Greatest Role-Playing Game.

These custom Fortnite Islands are built by long-time D&D fans at both Chartis and Teravision, using Epic’s UEFN toolset, and designed as part of a “launch and learn” initiative to explore how D&D can connect with a diverse range of Fortnite players in fun and meaningful ways. The five islands include a PvP arena, a social hub, a platformer, a co-op boss fight, and the largest co-op roguelike in Fortnite history.

Fortnite and D&D players both new and old will now have the chance to enjoy the action and creativity of Fortnite with D&D-inspired twists. They will visit familiar D&D locations in the Forgotten Realms including the Yawning Portal tavern, the Spine of the World mountains, Mount Hotenow, and many more, and will battle some of the legends of D&D including Klauth the ancient red dragon and feared necromancer Valindra Shadowmantle.

“We’re bringing the spirit of D&D homebrew to Fortnite – supporting creators, experimenting in new mediums, and learning how we can introduce D&D to new players,” said Nick Strann, Franchise Strategy Director for DUNGEONS & DRAGONS at Wizards of the Coast. “D&D already means so much to all those who have joined us at the table, and we hope that we can make it just as meaningful for millions of Fortnite fans. We very much look forward to hearing player feedback on these creator-made islands and using that feedback to shape future adventures wherever people love D&D.”

Fortnite players can find all the experiences now with the Island Codes listed below.

  • DnD Boxfights – Island Code 1190-4691-0255
  • DnD Treasure RNG – Island Code 4958-2624-5634
  • DnD Dungeon Deathrun – Island Code 5806-6430-0158
  • DnD Bossfight – Island Code 2218-1049-5866
  • DnD Zombie Dragon Adventure (early access) – Island Code 2525-9596-3235

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check Has Sold 300K Copies

If you’re one of the tens of thousands of people playing Quarantine Zone: The Last Check today, you might see some familiar faces turning up at the checkpoint. (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3419520/Quarantine_Zone_The_Last_Check/)

In the latest free update for Brigada Games and Devolver Digital’s smash hit zombie checkpoint simulator, four iconic original survivors from Behaviour Interactive’s multiplayer horror phenomenon Dead By Daylight will arrive for inspection.

Trailer:

Dwight Fairfield, Meg Thomas, Claudette Morel and Jake Park will be mixed into the game’s pool of survivors. But will they make it through alive? That’s up to you.

To celebrate this infectious collaboration, owners of Dead By Daylight will get an additional 10% off Quarantine Zone on top of the game’s existing 10% launch discount.

Check out quarantinezone.game for more information.

Pre-Orders Open for Disciples: Domination

Ready yourself for war and pre-order Disciples: Domination now! Kalypso Media and Artefacts Studio invite fans to claim their place on the battlefield early by securing their digital copy of the dark-fantasy strategy RPG with turn-based combat ahead of the official release on 12th February 2026.

Disciples: Domination will be available as both a Standard Edition $49.99 and a Deluxe Edition $59.99. Rulers who pre-order either edition will unlock the Corruption Skins Pack, a set of cosmetics imbued with the corrupted mana surging through Nevendaar.

Disciples: Domination – Deluxe Edition also offers a trove of exclusive digital content for the most battle-ready and devoted leaders of Nevendaar, including two exclusive weapon skins: Hope, Avyanna’s razor-sharp blade forged to protect Nevendaar, and Authority, a staff representative of Queendom, alongside the Sovereign’s Pack, featuring unique outfits for Avyanna, her companions, and her loyal steed. The Deluxe Edition also includes a Resource Pack and a Digital Compendium to immerse players in the dark atmosphere of Nevendaar.

The Deluxe Edition will also include the Official Soundtrack. Fans can get a first taste on YouTube with the Disciples: Domination – Main Theme, featuring acclaimed vocalist Julie Elven, known for her work on iconic game soundtracks such as League of Legends, World of Warcraft and Horizon Zero Dawn.

By pre-ordering Disciples: Domination – Deluxe Edition players will also grant 72-hour early access to the dark realm of Nevendaar. Early access is available across PlayStation®5, Xbox on PC, Xbox Series X|S with the full release available on 12th February 2026 on PC (Steam, Steam macOS, Epic Games, Kalypso Store), Xbox on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation5.

Features

  • Dark & mature story: In Disciples: Domination you continue Avyanna’s journey in a grim tale of power, war and sacrifice. Every decision carves her path – shaping her fate and the future of Nevendaar.
  • Rule supreme: From your capital, Yllian, you rule your realm and army. Consult your companions for guidance as your choices shape your faction reputation, impacting how others react to your rule, and the whole world around you.
  • Refined turn-based combat: Lead your army in tactical, grid-based battles with faster pacing, dynamic events and richer interaction. New skills, faction abilities and unit synergies deepen your strategical options along with the unique system of strengths and weaknesses.
  • Choose your companions: Unlock and choose trusted companions to reflect your playstyle – leveraging their combat prowess and unique world skills to aid your quest to save Nevendaar.
  • Hold your world together: Recruit and upgrade units from five distinct factions. Build powerful squads by combining unique skills and abilities and train them to defeat your enemies in turn-based encounters.
  • Real-time world exploration: Travel the dark, living world of Nevendaar in real time. Uncover new regions, meet compelling characters, face terrifying foes, and dive into rewarding quests as the story unfolds.
  • The Mountain Clans return: The dwarves are back – and they might not be your allies. Will they stand with you, or spark a new fire you’ll be forced to extinguish?
  • Disciples: Domination – Deluxe Edition: This upgrade package equips you with new looks for Avyanna, her mount, and her companions, along with two new weapon skins and a Resource Starter Boost Pack to aid you during your first steps in this new adventure across a crumbling kingdom. Dive even deeper into the world of Nevendaar with the digital Compendium featuring artworks and detailed concept artworks as well as 3D renders of Avyanna, her companions and some units and bosses, while you listen to the grim, atmospheric tunes of the Original Soundtrack.

Endurance Motorsport Series Welcomes Porsche Legends

NACON and KT Racing studio are proud to unveil more content for Endurance Motorsport Series, the official endurance racing simulation: the arrival of the Porsche 963 and Porsche 911 GT3 R models, the integration of the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and a dynamic and strategic weather system. Endurance Motorsport Series offers a unique, realistic racing experience focused on endurance, where strategy, team management, and driving combine to recreate the intensity of the greatest endurance racing competitions.

Check out the exclusive Endurance Motorsport Series trailer featuring the new Porsche cars on the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps:

Porsche, an endurance legend

With 19 victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and 20 at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in endurance racing history. Two of its iconic models are joining the game’s lineup:

  •  Porsche 963 (Hypercar) – Unveiled in 2023, this car follows in the footsteps of the legendary Porsche 956 and 962. It succeeds the 919 Hybrid and has already won the 2024 Hypercar World Endurance Championship and the IMSA GTP title in the same year.
  •  Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) – The latest evolution of the GT3 saga, launched in 2023, it has made a brilliant debut in endurance racing: victory at Bathurst and a one-two finish in LMGT3 at the 2024 World Endurance Championship.

The weather: a decisive factor

In Endurance Motorsport Series, every strategic choice can shake up the rankings. The weather plays a decisive role: anticipation and decision-making become crucial for the race engineer. Thanks to a dedicated weather radar, it is possible to track cloud formations (colored according to the intensity of the rain), wind direction, and wind speed. This data helps determine the exact moment for a tire change.

The types of tires available—slicks, intermediates, and rain tires—offer a range of choices to adapt to constantly changing conditions. On long, technical circuits like the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, humidity can vary from one corner to the next, making strategic management more intense than ever.

Spa-Francorchamps: a legendary track

In the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most iconic tracks in motorsport. With its 7.004 km and legendary corners (Eau Rouge, Raidillon, Pouhon, etc.), it embodies the essence of endurance racing. Its history is marked by legendary events, such as the 24 Hours of Spa (where Porsche has eight victories) and the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (10 Porsche victories). Spa is also famous for its unpredictable weather: rain, fog, sun, and even snow can occur during a single race. In the Endurance Motorsport Series, knowing how to read the sky will be as important as knowing how to drive.

Developed by KT Racing, a studio renowned for its expertise in racing games and its know-how on the WRC series, Endurance Motorsport Series marks a major advance in the racing game market. Combining simulation-oriented gameplay with accessible controls, the license places team cohesion at the heart of the experience. Based on a unique cooperative concept, the game offers simultaneous management of track performance and strategic decisions in the pits. Each team is made up of four members—three drivers and an engineer—who must work together to compete against other teams in endurance races where strategy is key.

Read the full article on Steam here.

Marathon Release Date and Pre-Order Trailer

Bungie announced today that players will begin unraveling the mysteries of Tau Ceti IV when Marathon launches on March 5*. In Marathon, players scavenge the lost colony of Tau Ceti IV as a bio-cybernetic Runner while surviving against hostile security forces, rival Runners, and inhospitable environments to seek their fortune. A gameplay trailer was also released, showing the many dangers players will face on the surface on the planet:

Marathon English language voice actors announced

Marathon features the voices of…

Krizia Bajos, Samantha Béart, Beau Bridgland, Ry Chase, Roger Clark, Darin De Paul, Jennifer English, Dave Fennoy, Nika Futterman, Morla Gorrondona, Reina Guthrie, Donnla Hughes, Keston John, Sohm Kapila, Rich Keeble, Elliot Knight, Erica Lindbeck, Piotr Michael, Brent Mukai, Neil Newbon, Ariana Nicole George, Emily O’Brien, Lee Shorten, Jason Spisak, Ben Starr, JB Tadena, Fred Tatasciore, Craig Lee Thomas, Elias Toufexis, Oliver Vaquer, Scott Whyte, Tracy Wiles, Erin Yvette

Marathon will also have fully localized dialogue for all supported languages, with those voice casts to be introduced at a later date. The voice cast will also grow as the world continues to evolve.

Marathon pre-orders and Collector’s Edition available now

Marathon releases March 5, 2026 and is available in Standard and Deluxe editions for Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S with full cross play and cross save**. To celebrate Marathon’s launch, all Destiny 2 players can claim themed rewards in the Eververse Store, with ornaments available for those who pre-order.

Marathon Standard Edition

  • Access to all gameplay updates (maps, Runner shells, events, etc.) as the year progresses
  • Pre-order Marathon and receive the following:
    • ZERO STEP 004 CE Tactical Sidearm Style
    • ZERO STEP RC Weapon Charm
    • ZERO STEP SHIFT Weapon Sticker
    • APOGEE INTERCEPT Background
    • APOGEE INTERCEPT Emblem
  • Plus the following rewards for Destiny 2 rewards linked to your Bungie.net account:
    • UESC Echo-type Shell Exotic Ghost
    • UESC Rover Exotic Ship
    • UESC Sprinter Exotic Sparrow

Marathon Deluxe Edition

  • All Standard Edition content
  • 1x Premium Rewards Pass Voucher
  • 200 SILK Rewards Pass Tokens, used to unlock rewards in the pass
  • Weapon Cosmetics:
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Misriah 2442 Pump Shotgun Style
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Overrun AR Style
  • Runner Shell Cosmetics:
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Vandal Shell Style
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Destroyer Shell Style
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Assassin Shell Style
    • MIDNIGHT DECAY Thief Shell Style

Marathon’s Collector’s Edition

  • All Deluxe Edition content (game code version only)
  • 1/6th scale Thief Runner shell statue with LED lights
  • Collectible WEAVEworm miniature
  • Iron-on embroidered patch
  • Six art postcards
  • Premium hexagon packaging with lenticular poster
  • Beautifully designed display box featuring environmental art
  • In-game bonus cosmetics for purchasing from the Bungie Store or PlayStation Direct:
    • ZERO STEP Emblem
    • ZERO STEP Background

Tides of Tomorrow Gets New Release Date in April

After briefly flirting with the idea of renaming the game Tides of the Day After Tomorrow, developer DigixArt (creators of the critically acclaimed Road 96) and publisher THQ Nordic have decided to stick with Tides of Tomorrow – and to take a little extra time before launch.

The narrative-driven adventure will now release on April 22, 2026, for PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Following extensive feedback gathered from the Tides of Tomorrow playable demo and an ongoing closed beta, the development team determined that additional time is needed to respond to player input and implement improvements. This extra development period will help ensure the best possible experience for the upcoming narrative-driven adventure.

Players can currently try the Tides of Tomorrow demo for themselves, available at:
https://thqn.net/ToTdemo

While awaiting the release of Tides of Tomorrow on PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S on April 22, 2026, players are invited to check out the playable demo and explore the series of character showcases to get familiar with the cast of Tides of Tomorrow.

Check out all Tides of Tomorrow character showcases on YouTube: https://thqn.net/4bHPlW2