Blue Brain Games, creators of the acclaimed puzzle adventure series The House of Da Vinci, today announced that their critically celebrated VR adaptation is coming soon to PlayStation®VR2. Players can now add the game to their wishlist on the PlayStation Store to be notified when the Renaissance adventure becomes available.
Following its successful launch on Meta Quest and Steam VR platforms, where it has been praised as “one of the best puzzle games on Quest,” The House of Da Vinci VR will bring its historically authentic world to PS VR2 players. As Leonardo da Vinci’s most promising apprentice, players will step into 16th-century Florence to unravel the mystery of their master’s sudden disappearance.
“The PlayStation®VR2’s advanced features will allow players to experience the intricate details of Leonardo’s workshop with unprecedented immersion,” said Peter Kubek co-founder and Creative Director at Blue Brain Games. “Every mechanical puzzle and invention has been carefully optimised to take full advantage of the PS VR2’s enhanced haptic feedback and precise motion tracking.”
Key Features:
Touch and manipulate Da Vinci’s inventions with your own hands in an immersive recreation of Renaissance Italy
Solve intricate mechanical puzzles and riddles inspired by Da Vinci’s actual designs and manuscripts
Navigate through detailed workshop environments with intuitive controls
Challenge yourself with historically-inspired war machines, complex lockboxes, and escape room scenarios
Uncover hidden objects using unique detection abilities
Manipulate time with a mysterious gauntlet to witness past events and unravel the story
Paradox Interactive and The Chinese Room discussed combat in Vampire: The Masquerade–Bloodlines 2. The dev diary covers how to brawl, use elixirs to your advantage, and combine different clan abilities for the ultimate experience against Kindred foe.
Read more from Senior Game Designer Max Bottomley, TCR Community Manager Josh Mathews, and Project Design Director Jey Hicks in the dev diary here.
Dev Diary #25: Advanced Combat and Weapons
Hello Kindred,
It’s been about a year since we last talked about combat in Dev Diary 7, so the team have put this article together to give you a deeper dive into the things you can do as you go bump in the night.
Brawling
When blades come out in BL2, unless you’ve taken extra care to isolate your prey, you’re going to be outnumbered. While several discipline abilities can help you escape or swiftly resolve a fight, you’ll need to do a bit of brawling when those options aren’t available. Spacing is key – your basic attacks can make short work of individuals but are risky when you’re getting sliced apart from all sides.
Developer and publisher Tripwire Interactive today announced that the highly anticipated next chapter in the studio’s legendary Killing Floor franchise, Killing Floor 3, will launch worldwide on March 25, 2025 for PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), the PlayStation®5 system, and the Xbox Series X|S console systems. Tripwire also announced that pre-orders are now available for both retail and digital versions, along with detailing pricing, pre-order bonuses, and exclusive content across both standard and special editions. Digital pre-orders for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, and retail pre-orders for console versions are live now. Digital pre-orders for console versions will be opening soon, with specific timing and updates available via Tripwire socials. In celebration, Tripwire has revealed the next in its series of Zed reveal videos, focused on the new and deadly Siren.
Like Zeds, Killing Floor 3 editions will come in many shapes and sizes between both digital and retail. All digital and retail pre-orders will include the limited timed exclusive Flatline Tactical Bundle (Flatliner weapon skin, Fear the Reaper trinket, and Special Action Force player card).
Tripwire and global distribution partner Plaion will offer retail-exclusive versions:
● Standard Edition (MSRP of $39.99) – Available in North America, includes the base game and a pre-order bonus, either the limited timed exclusive Clamefield Patrol Specialist Skins Pack, or the Flatline Tactical Bundle (at select retailers).
● Day 1 Edition (MSRP of $39.99) – Available outside North America, includes the base game, Flatline Tactical Bundle, and Clamefield Patrol Specialist Skins Pack.
Digital Editions will be available on all major digital storefronts and will come packed with additional content:
● Deluxe Edition (MSRP of $59.99) – Includes the Shadow Agent Specialist & Weapon Skin Sets, Launch Nightfall Supply Pass, and 1000 Creds.
● Elite Nightfall Edition (MSRP of $79.99) – Includes everything from the Deluxe Edition plus Year 1 Premium Nightfall Supply Pass Access (four passes) and 3000 Creds.
Game on! Today, North America’s No. 1 collegiate game design program, USC Games, announced its 9th annual USC Games Expo will return to USC’s campus on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. USC Trojan students, staff, and games fans are invited to get hands-on with over 60 digital and tabletop games at the Expo following the USC Games Advanced Games Projects (AGP) Spotlight Show, streaming live at 4:00pm PST.
Along with an evening of gameplay, onsite attendees can dive into interactive experiences from the Themed Entertainment program and get an exclusive preview of the second season of games developed in the all-new Games as a Service and Live Operations (GLO) course.
“The USC Games Expo is an annual celebration of creativity and innovation, showcasing a wide array of games from our number-one ranked game design program,” says Danny Bilson, chair of the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division (IMGD), and director of USC Games. “We’re looking forward to once again opening the USC campus for everyone to meet the next generation of game developers who, over the course of their careers, will shape the future of this industry we all hold dear.”
Expo attendees can play over 60 original games from teams and individuals from the USC Games program, including 8 games developed in the AGP capstone course. This year’s featured titles include:
Art House (PC)
In Art House, step into the life of Lisa, a single mother to Ollie and Zoe who’s struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after the passing of her mother, Betty, a painter whose fading memories come to life on a magical canvas. Guide Lisa through hauntingly beautiful paintings while solving puzzles and confronting the shadows of the family’s past. Navigate a journey through grief and towards healing that lingers after the final brushstroke.
Donuts! (PC) Donuts! is a fast-paced arcade experience that mixes whimsical driving/skateboarding gameplay with heartfelt cultural storytelling. As Mony, a young Cambodian-American, you’ll race through vibrant LA streets to deliver donuts while learning more about herself, her community, and her family. With a retro-futuristic art style and 90s SoCal vibes, deliver donuts, dreams, and downright radical tricks in this action-packed ride.
DuoQ (PC) DuoQ is an e-dating sim about romancing another person through an online game. Play alongside Starlight, a mysterious stranger met in the fictional FPS game “To the Heart.” Work – and flirt – together, over real-time voice comms, solving in-game puzzles and trying desperately to win Starlight’s love.
Myth of Lumi (PC) Myth of Lumi is a physics-driven, lightweight strategy card game where the players enlist the help of 2D magical creatures, Lumi, who lives inside the cards. Players will use their mastery of magic and ability to work with Lumi to compete in stylish Magic Duels against rival magicians.
Potion Problems (PC) Potion Problems is a chaotic multiplayer party game that combines social deduction with magic. Navigate through Pigeonpoint’s College for Potion Making as a troublemaker or diligent apprentice. Collect ingredients to make unique potions, avoid being turned into a frog, and vote out troublemakers as you try to complete your degree!
Scare Crow (PC) Scare Crow is a wacky, tower-defense stealth game where players must fend off an army of hungry squirrels from invading a backyard rich with birdfeeders. Play as Casey, a laid-back, nonchalant crow whose lifestyle is rudely interrupted by Sergeant Squeak and his troop of squirrels who are determined to steal every last bit of Casey’s birdseed. Set traps, scare squirrels, and defeat Sergeant Squeak to ensure that your yard remains squeak-free!
Smoke Break! (PC) Smoke Break! is a lighthearted 3D stealth and puzzle game. Play as Applewood, a living cloud of smoke, who uses stealth to outwit bakers, avoid the janitor, and cause trouble as he searches a dessert factory for a delicious–and elusive–burnt pie!
Unchained (PC) Unchained is a turn-based tactical RPG in which the player can achieve victory without resorting to violence. Maintaining positive relationships with party members is as important as combat tactics as you contend with rival Chain Hunters and the enigmatic Spirit of The Chain. Fight, negotiate with, or even recruit these foes to join you on your epic quest.
NACON and Big Ant Studios today announce the release date for Rugby 25 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC will be 13 February 2025.
As the Six Nations Tournament kicks off and takes center stage of the Rugby World, it will also herald the release of Rugby 25, the most comprehensive rugby game ever released, featuring over 140 officially licensed international teams, legendary stadiums and the world’s most prestigious tournaments and
Since launching Rugby 25 into early access last June, the development team at Big Ant Studios have been working tirelessly to deliver new content each month, meeting with the best professional rugby players worldwide to recreating incredible likenesses of them in-game using photogrammetry technology.
For the first time ever in a rugby game, Rugby 25 sees the inclusion of a substantial number of the best women’s rugby teams in the world, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Argentina, Italy and the USA.
Featuring multiple game modes for both single and multiplayer gaming, Rugby 25 also introduces the renowned Big Ant Studios “Academy” to rugby, enabling the community the freedom and creativity to create their own players, teams and even stadiums. Playing your dream match, in the stadium of your choice, with your favourite team is now possible! The highly comprehensive career mode allows players to train their team, plan tournaments, manage rest periods and develop game strategy to lead their team to victory.
With innovative gameplay and realistic player behaviour, Rugby 25 is the most authentic rugby video game to date, where tactical choices and physical commitment are the keys to victory!
Today, Disney+ announced an all-new exclusive episode of ”The Simpsons” will premiere February 12 on the streaming service. The full-length episode titled “The Past and the Furious” is the next exclusive episode of “The Simpsons” debuting on Disney+.
In this exclusive full-length episode of The Simpsons, Lisa travels back in time to 1923 and discovers that the Springfield Mini Moose, once key to the town’s ecosystem, were driven to extinction in 1925. Teaming up with young Monty Burns, Lisa works to save the moose, but her actions unintentionally shape his future as a ruthless tycoon.
In addition to 35 seasons of “The Simpsons,” Disney+ is also home to “The Simpsons Movie” and more than 10 shorts featuring the Simpsons family. All these and more can be found in “The Simpsons” collection on the streaming service: https://www.disneyplus.com/franchise/the-simpsons
Red Art Games is announcing that the Western version of MACROSS -Shooting Insight- will now release on February 7, 2025 in North America and Europe on Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4 digitally. MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is the latest video game adaptation of legendary anime franchise MACROSS and the very first MACROSS video game to get an official release on consoles in the West.
In addition to the game’s digital release, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s previously announced ESRB and PEGI-rated physical Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PS4 versions will be released later this year (with physical PS4 versions only coming out in Europe).
While the Shoot ‘em Up’s Standard Edition will be available from multiple retailers at launch in Europe and North America, MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s two special editions are exclusive to Red Art Games’ official online store (PEGI-rated versions) and Video Games Plus (ESRB-rated versions). More information regarding the release date of the MACROSS -Shooting Insight- Collector’s Edition will be shared at a later date. MACROSS -Shooting Insight-’s European physical versions can be pre-ordered from Red Art Games’ official online store. Physical ESRB-rated copies can be pre-ordered from VGP’s online store.
MACROSS -Shooting Insight- is a Multi-Dimensional Shooting Game featuring multiple gameplay styles developed by renowned Japanese studio Kaminari Games (Raiden V Director’s Cut). It tells the story of a galaxy-threatening event that forces pilots and songstress from across multiple MACROSS dimensions to team-up to put an end to the madness. Follow Red Art Games on social media to stay up to date with MACROSS -Shooting Insight- news!
The highly anticipated Legacy Steel & Sorcery is gearing up for its February launch into Early Access with a spellbinding new trailer that players won’t want to miss!
Launching on February 12, Legacy: Steel & Sorcery is shaping up to be a revolutionary title for the Extraction genre. A lush, vibrant world filled with orcs, ogres, goblins and class-based combat – this upcoming Fantasy epic is a must-play for lovers of the genre.
Players can choose from one of five classes, play solo, match with fellow hunters or take up to two other friends into the world of Mithrigarde. Once they have entered this fantastical land, they’ll race against the clock and other players to steal precious treasures before making it out alive – if they can!
Check out the full trailer below:
Players can wishlist Legacy: Steel & Sorcery now on Steam and gear up to play this new multiplayer epic on February 12!
Universal Studios Hollywood expresses its sincere gratitude to the first responders for their heroic efforts in tackling the devastating Los Angeles wildfires with the “First Responder Heroes Ticket.” All eligible active first responders can enjoy one complimentary 1-Day General Admission ticket and a 50% discount on up to three 1-Day General Admission tickets, now through April 10, 2025.
“The selfless dedication and tireless resilience exhibited by the first responders in response to combatting the L.A. wildfires has been nothing short of extraordinary and we are very grateful to these unsung heroes for their courage during this difficult time,” said Scott Strobl, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Universal Studios Hollywood. “When these first responders are ready for a much needed break, we look forward to welcoming them to our theme park.”
The “First Responder Heroes Ticket” offer extends to all eligible U.S.-based, active first responders within public or private agency/entities who assist the community in the following categories: Firefighters, Police Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, National Guard, and Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians. Offer excludes retired and volunteer first responders.
The “First Responder Heroes Ticket” may only be redeemed once per eligible first responder and must be redeemed in person at the theme park’s dedicated “First Responder Heroes Ticket” ticket booth located at the Front Gate entrance. The ticket can only be redeemed for the same day visit. Online redemption will not be available.
Eligible first responders will need to show a valid government-issued photo ID and valid employee ID card for qualifying first responder occupation.
In addition to the complimentary ticket, first responders have the option to purchase up to three additional 1-Day General Admission tickets for guests within their party at a savings of 50% off the front gate price on the day of visit. All accompanying guests must be present at the time of visit to receive the discounted rate. Visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for additional terms and conditions.
This campaign is a powerful example of how storytelling and community engagement can create real-world change. Fans didn’t just watch—they actively shaped the adventure through donations, unlocking key in-game moments while simultaneously supporting real people in crisis.
Help Spread the Word: More Awareness = More Support
We know the power of community, and this story is proof of what people can do when they rally together. Though the live event has ended, Critical Role Foundation’s wildfire relief campaign remains open through February 28
For those who missed the event or want to relive the excitement, watch the full YouTube VODHERE.
This campaign has already shown the incredible impact of fandom-driven philanthropy. With more awareness, we can help even more families, support more first responders, and provide lasting relief for wildfire-affected communities.
