Author - Jerry Paxton

Rig R5 Spear Pro-series Gaming Headsets Launch in North America

NACON, a leader in premium gaming accessories and parent company of the RIG audio brand, today announced the U.S. availability of its latest additions to the R5 SPEAR PRO Series: the RIG R5 PRO HX, RIG R5 PRO HC, and a white edition of the critically acclaimed RIG R5 PRO HS.

Officially licensed for Xbox, the R5 PRO HX includes a one-year Dolby Atmos for Headphones subscription, elevating in-game performance with precise 3D audio rendering to help players pinpoint incoming threats.

Each headset in the R5 PRO Series has been custom-tuned specifically for first-person shooters and harnesses the power of 40mm graphene drivers. The R5 PRO’s driver diaphragm is coated with a graphene layer, making it exceptionally lightweight while also extremely rigid, minimizing audio distortion and delivering crisp, detailed sound. For gamers, this provides superior audio reproduction and the ability to easily pinpoint in-game threats with unmatched accuracy.

The R5 PRO Series also introduces RIG’s new SNAP+LOCK mod system, allowing gamers to personalize their headset with interchangeable magnetic Mod-Plates and ear cushions. Exclusive ‘Audio Above All Edition’ Mod-Plates – inspired by RIG’s signature tagline – are available for purchase through Shop Nacon. Gamers can also purchase blank Mod-Plates from Shop Nacon, to take customization even further.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The RIG R5 SPEAR PRO is available today for a suggested retail price of $69.99 USD at Amazon and Shop NACON.

RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HS / Black
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HS / White
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HX
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HC

Additional RIG R5 SPEAR PRO models will be available at GameStop and Walmart in the coming months, with an SRP of $69.99 USD.

RIG R5 SPEAR Features:

  •         R5 PRO HX officially licensed by Xbox for Xbox Series X|S consoles
  •         R5 PRO HS officially licensed by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 consoles
  •         40mm graphene drivers
  •         1-year Dolby Atmos for Headphones subscription included with HX and HC models
  •         6mm flexible flip-to-mute microphone
  •         Inline volume control slider with max lock
  •         Magnetic SNAP+LOCK Mod-Plates* and ear cushions
  •         Memory foam ear cushions and headband cushion
  •         Flexible exterior headband
  •         Adjustable fold-flat earcups
  •         1.5m cable with 3.5mm connector

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu IMAX Trailer

Marking a historic milestone for the franchise, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars film to be part of the Filmed For IMAX® program. As part of the program, Favreau collaborated closely with IMAX, from early demos and camera tests at its LA headquarters to using virtual reality to review IMAX footage both during shooting and in post-production, fully leveraging IMAX’s technology throughout the process.

Shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras, the film features 53-minutes of IMAX’s exclusive 1.90:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio, filling the spectacular IMAX screen from floor to ceiling and providing IMAX audiences more picture than anywhere else. Select IMAX with Laser theatres will present these scenes in IMAX’s towering 1.43:1 aspect ratio, delivering the largest image area possible for audiences.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu was enhanced frame by frame with IMAX’s proprietary Digital Media Remastering (DMR) technology delivering exceptional brightness, clarity, and contrast. The film also features a custom sound mix optimized specifically for IMAX theatres, placing audiences inside the action with unparalleled precision and power.

City Transport Simulator 2026 Out Now

Austrian developer studio ViewApp and NPLAY Games today announce the release of City Transport Simulator 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. With the new installment of the transport simulation series, one feature takes center stage: a fully dynamic weather system that fundamentally changes day-to-day operations in public transport.

The previous title already focused on delivering an authentic route operation experience. With City Transport Simulator 2026, this approach is further expanded through environmental influences that directly impact gameplay. Weather conditions change dynamically throughout the day, ranging from sunny intervals to rain, fog, snowfall, and thunderstorms.

These changes are not only visual but also affect driving behavior and overall atmosphere. Rain reduces visibility, snow alters the perception of the route, and varying lighting conditions ensure that each journey feels noticeably different.

The weather system is complemented by seasonal changes that visibly transform the city over time. Vegetation, lighting, and the overall environment adapt accordingly, adding further variety to daily operations.

Beyond weather and atmosphere, the game has been expanded in many additional areas. Reworked passenger interactions, optimized ticketing processes, and improvements to the user interface contribute to a more accessible yet deeper gameplay experience. Traffic systems and pedestrian behavior have also been enhanced to create a more believable urban environment.

As previously announced, City Transport Simulator 2026 is available as a free upgrade for owners of the previous title. Existing content carries over seamlessly into the new version.

Another key focus was the comprehensive overhaul of all vehicles in the game. In addition to new, detailed sound design, a range of functional features has been introduced, including air conditioning, opening windows, and windshield wipers, further enhancing realism in everyday operations.

In parallel with the release, a Season Pass is available, granting access to all content planned for 2026, including new vehicles and additional maps such as the first real-world city, Vienna.

With City Transport Simulator 2026, ViewApp and NPLAY Games continue to evolve the series, focusing on a dynamic and constantly changing public transport experience.

Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron Announced

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Czechoslovakia is a democratic bulwark, surrounded by autocratic neighbors. Rich in resources, industry and population, it is also an early target for aggression. Chart a new course for Czechoslovakia in the face of these threats in Peace for Our Time, a new Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox Interactive’s grand strategic wargame about the conflict and politics of the Second World War.

Created in collaboration with veteran modders Logan ‘Spicy Alfredo’ Calkins, Abbus Fung and Marijn ‘marijn211’ Vroegh, Peace for Our Time is the first Focus Pack to include new National Focus Trees and unique mechanics, presenting a new challenge to experienced desktop generals. It will be released next week, on 22 April.

Highlights of the Focus Pack Peace for Our Time include:

  • Democratic National Focus Path: Surrounded by non-democratic nations, safeguard Czechoslovakia’s freedom by forging your own faction, leading a government in exile or pursuing independence as Slovakia.
  • Communist National Focus Path: Spark a socialist revolution to replace the failed middle path, joining the Comintern or uniting the region under your own federation; whether through radical struggle or moderate reform.
  • Monarchist and Fascist National Focus Paths: Rally nationalist forces to establish a new kingdom of Bohemia or embrace military dictatorship, expand your influence through allies or subjects, and decide whether to entrench authoritarianism or return to democracy once the crisis has passed.
  • Manage your arms industry, become an industrial powerhouse, and shape conflicts across the globe by exporting weapons abroad.
  • Engage with the Divided Nation mechanic to solve the challenges of governing a divided democracy.
  • Army Readiness Balance of Power forces you to ensure you have the support of the military.
  • New Art and Music, including two new music tracks, 3D depictions of the historical Prague Castle and Bojnice Castle, new equipment graphics and new focus icons and character portraits.

The Hearts of Iron IV: Peace for Our Time Focus Pack will be available on 22 April 2026 for the suggested retail price of $5.99 / £4.99 /€5.99 .

Windrose: Early Access Release Trailer

The scallywags of Kraken Express (formerly known as Windrose Crew) are thrilled to launch Windrose, the highly anticipated co-op pirate survival-adventure game, into Early Access today on Steam, the Epic Games Store and Stove. Players can grab the base game for $29.99, or purchase the Supporter Bundle, featuring the base game, a wallpaper collection and the official game soundtrack (including in-game ambient music, trailer tracks and a hearty selection of sea shanties recorded by Seán Dagher), for $39.99. A 10% launch discount is available for one week for either edition of the game. Currently the 6th Most Wishlisted game on Steam, Windrose lets you become the pirate of your dreams, sailing the open seas as a captain on the quest for revenge, alone or in a crew of up to four* players.

Explore three diverse biomes with quests to complete, enemies to fight in souls-lite-inspired combat, and handcrafted points of interest to discover in a procedurally generated world. Take down epic bosses with an armory of unique weapons, including sabers, maces, muskets and more. Improve your reputation with various factions, trade, farm, fish and build a pirate haven of your own – and command your own vessel in thrilling naval battles with boarding actions. The high seas are yours for the taking!

After a breakout Steam Next Fest demo that saw nearly 900,000 players begin their adventures, the Early Access launch of Windrose provides dozens of hours of content and fan-requested features from the demo! Create the perfect pirate playstyle with an array of skills, talents and gear, and experience seamless land-to-ship gameplay with a focus on exploration, base building and combat. Sail the open seas with three totally new vessels, and one of the most-requested features from the demo: co-op ship controls, where a crew can share control of a vessel’s weaponry, teaming up to take down the enemy.

Key Features

  • A Pirate Tale for the Ages: Welcome to the Age of Piracy! You are a captain who dares to challenge the legendary Blackbeard. What starts as a grounded story of survival and revenge will put you in the middle of a conflict between empires, pirate clans and mysterious dark powers looming on the horizon.
  • Conquer the High Seas: Move seamlessly between ship and shore as you adventure. Naval combat is shaped by your decisions, whether you’re trading cannon fire at range or closing in for fierce boarding actions. Equip and customize your ship to suit your playstyle, from nimble ketch to versatile brig and colossal frigate. When the cannons go silent, claim your spoils and share a shanty with your crew as you sail onward.
  • Survival Perfected: Explore a variety of vibrant biomes, gather resources, and build your base, from simple shelters to elaborate forts and mansions. Recruit NPCs and grow your settlement to speed up harvesting and production. Venture into the uncharted lands, featuring nearly 100 handcrafted points of interest (dungeons, ancient temples, shipwrecks, abandoned camps and more) containing a wide variety of secrets and treasures, though such rewards rarely come without risk.
  • Become a Legendary Swashbuckler: Hack, slash, bash and shoot your way to glory! Master a vast arsenal of melee weapons and firearms, parry and dodge enemy attacks, and make good use of different strikes to gain the upper hand. Put your skills to the test against challenging bosses and plunder their treasures!

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Egg Hunt Game Type Announced

Today, Ghost Ship Publishing and developer Funday Games revealed that a new mission type featuring a powerful boss is coming to Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor as part of the upcoming Heavy Duty expansion DLC, launching April 30th on Steam.

Introducing Egg Hunt, a new objective-driven mission where Deep Rock Galactic’s hard-working dwarves are once again being put to the test, tasked with tracking down and retrieving Alien Eggs buried deep within the mines of Hoxxes IV, for research, of course.

A fan-favourite staple of the original Deep Rock Galactic, Egg Hunt makes its debut in Survivor with some adjustments. Across a three-stage mission, miners will need to recover Alien Eggs and call in Bosco to deliver them back to the cargo pod before facing a final multi-phase standoff as a giant Brood Nexus emerges at the drop point. Miners are warned that as the powerful boss reaches critical health levels, it will grow a swarm of Nexus Sprouts to guard their fierce leader.

The reveal comes as part of the recently announced Heavy Duty expansion, which introduces the high-speed Demolisher class, a range of powerful new weapons designed to boost mining efficiency and more. With Heavy Duty launching later this month, there are a couple more reveals still to come before miners are cleared for deployment – follow Funday Games’ latest updates here for more information.

Fight Club Returns to Theaters Nationwide for One-night Only April 22

Advance tickets are now on sale for 20th Century Studios and New Regency’s Fight Club, newly restored in stunning 4K, available via Fandango and wherever tickets are sold. Directed by David Fincher, the groundbreaking film returns to theaters nationwide for a special one-night-only event on April 22, inviting audiences to reenter the underground world that redefined a generation of filmmaking.

Today, fans and collectors can also secure their pre-orders for the highly anticipated Fight Club 4K Ultra HD SteelBook® and 4K Digital release, available May 12. Featuring striking, soap-inspired artwork and premium packaging that channels the film’s raw, subversive edge, this must-own edition brings David Fincher’s uncompromising vision to life in a definitive home viewing experience designed to endure for years to come.

Fight Club receives the definitive treatment with a meticulous 4K Ultra HD™ restoration that enhances the film’s immersive soundscape and striking visual precision, delivering a renewed sensory experience for a generational touchstone. Whether it’s your first encounter with Tyler Durden or your fiftieth, the film’s legacy as a defining cult-classic remains as powerful and provocative as ever.

Directed by David Fincher and adapted from Chuck Palahniuk’s gritty novel, Fight Club stands as a landmark of modern cinema. Featuring iconic performances from Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter, the film redefined late-1990s filmmaking with its visceral style, razor-sharp social commentary, and subversive exploration of identity, consumerism, and modern masculinity.

REPLACED – Official Launch Trailer

Sad Cat Studios and Thunderful are delighted to announce that REPLACED — one of the year’s most anticipated titles with over 1 million lifetime wishlists placing it as the 23rd most wishlisted game on Steam — is available now on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass and is also Steam Deck verified. A characteristically stylish new trailer has been released to celebrate the release of the narrative-driven cyberpunk adventure, offering players an enticing look at the rich, dangerous and atmospheric world that awaits them. The base game is available on both platforms for $19.99 / €19.99 / £16.99, alongside a Supporter Edition that includes the soundtrack for $24.99 / €24.99 / £21.99.

REPLACED is a narrative-driven 2.5D platformer blending cinematic exploration with fluid, free-flow action. Immerse yourself in an alternate 1980s America reshaped by nuclear catastrophe and meet the downtrodden of Phoenix-City as you struggle to survive. Soak up the game’s rich atmosphere as you walk the streets of Phoenix-City and become a part of the stories of the citizens you meet in this dark cyberpunk thriller.

As you uncover the sinister secrets of Phoenix Corporation, REPLACED will explore themes of humanity, identity, and control through morally complex characters and the slow reveal of a world pushed to its limits. Discover a haven for corruption where outlaws thrive and human life is traded like currency as R.E.A.C.H. – an AI trapped in a human body against its will. Expose the Corporation’s hidden agenda, and uncover the purpose behind your creation in a world where every secret – and every life – has a price.

“We’re so happy to be able to say that REPLACED is out and available to play now,” said Game Director Yura Zhdanovic. “It’s been a long journey to get here, but we’re proud to say that we stuck to our vision throughout and never compromised on delivering on our high standards. We hope that commitment and hard work is evident as you step into the world of REPLACED and experience it for yourself.”

Barbie Horse Ride & Rescue Announcement Trailer

New Zealand developer PikPok, together with Mattel, Inc., a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, today announced a new cozy gaming adventure, Barbie: Horse Ride & Rescue, for PC, Switch 2, and mobile. Launching globally on mobile on Tuesday, June 16, with Steam and Switch 2 to follow in 2027, Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts and Barbie “Malibu” Roberts head to Moonrise Valley to uncover its mysteries and ride to the rescue. Available now for pre-order on the App Store, pre-registration on Google Play, and wishlist on Steam.

From the makers of Rival Stars Horse Racing, one of the most popular horse racing games of all time, Barbie: Horse Ride & Rescue is an authentic and immersive equestrian experience for older teens and adults. As they uncover the mysteries of Moonrise Valley, players will rescue and ride charming horses, and express their unique style in fashion challenges, with plenty of options for customization and roleplay.

After creating their own character, players will join Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts and Barbie “Malibu” Roberts as volunteers at Roaming Hearts Rescue Ranch. Riding into the vibrant expanse of Moonrise Valley, they’ll discover lovable horses in need of rescue and rehabilitation. Enjoy touching moments with horses by grooming their gorgeous coats, then customize them with new saddles, bridles and more.

From there, players can explore Moonrise Valley on horseback, scouting for more horses and adorable wildlife, test their skills in Barrel Racing or fashion challenges, and dive even deeper into the story to solve the mystery of how the horses came to roam the valley. An immersive, cozy, and wholesome experience awaits!

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Hard Sci-Fi Space Game Lunar Strike Readies Demo for Launch

Cognition Europe is today announcing a PC demo for its debut game, hard science fiction and adventure, Lunar Strike, will launch next month ahead of participation in June’s Steam Next Fest.

Players will explore humanity’s last lunar base as Bo, an archivist on a mission to digitally archive humanity’s achievements on the Moon. But as their story evolves, their mission becomes critical as sabotage and espionage threatens the colony’s future.

The hard science fiction narrative means real-world physics is fully implemented into Lunar Strike’s gameplay, including 1/6th gravity; accurate propulsion and movement of the lunar lander, the Moon rover, and characters; the toxic effects of Moon dust; and more. The story is further enriched with a lore and narrative that raises philosophical questions about humanity’s use of technologies, inclusion, and cultural preservation.

Pushing its accuracy levels further is Cognition’s use of data through photogrammetry, structured light scanning, and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technologies to recreate the lunar and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko surfaces with extremely high fidelity.

Cognition is closely linked to non-profit organization, The Arc/k Project, which exists to digitally preserve humanity’s collective cultural heritage. The body’s mission forms the basis for Lunar Strike’s narrative.

Brian Pope, Creative Director of Cognition and Founder of The Arc/k Project, said: “This past weekend’s successful conclusion of the Artemis II mission begins a new golden era for humanity’s exploration – and occupation – of the moon, one that continues nearly a century into the future when Lunar Strike is set. May’s demo will introduce players to the game’s mechanics and systems rooted in real-world science, and begin to raise the philosophical questions around what it means to be post-human, the intersection of the human mind and synthetic intelligence, and the implicit tug-of-war between our obligations to the Earth, our ambitions for the Moon, and ultimately to one another. We’re looking forward to receiving feedback as we continue our trajectory towards the game’s launch in the summer.”

Lunar Strike is available to wishlist now on Steam.