Studio Wildcard today unleashes the “Astraeos Mega Update,” a massive expansion to the mythic, Greek Odyssey-inspired world in ARK: Survival Ascended. This massive update introduces the Pyranthos landmass, a tamable amphibious fortress, and a brutal five-headed Hydra boss encounter. During today’s IGN Fan Fest, the first gameplay trailer revealing the new Pyranthos region debuted and the update is available now to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S, Epic Games Store and Steam.
Originally launched as a community mod by acclaimed creator Nekatus before becoming an Official Partner DLC, Astraeos continues to evolve with new creatures, bosses, cosmetics, and myth-inspired gameplay challenges. The Astraeos Mega Update marks the largest expansion to the map since its debut. This week the Astraeos map is 67% off on Steam and Xbox ($4.94 USD) – the biggest discount yet!
astragon Entertainment and developer Simteract today pulled the curtain back on Bus Simulator 27, the next flagship entry in the long-running simulation franchise, revealed during IGN Fan Fest.
Positioned as the most ambitious and content-rich Bus Simulator to date, Bus Simulator 27 dramatically expands the scope of the series with its largest licensed fleet ever, a long-awaited partnership with Solaris™, and—for the first time—coach buses and long-distance passenger routes.
Watch Bus Simulator 27 reveal trailer here:
A Fleet Built to Set the Category Standard
Bus Simulator 27 delivers a clear escalation in production value and licensing depth, featuring over 45 officially licensed vehicles from 13 globally recognized manufacturers. Returning partners include Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO BUS, Scania, and Volvo—now joined by Solaris™, marking a major milestone for the franchise and a long-requested addition from the community.
Beyond classic rigid and articulated buses, players can expect double-deckers, electric vehicles, and the franchise’s biggest gameplay shift yet: fully playable coach buses, enabling intercity and long-distance transport for the first time in the series’ history.
Felicia Bay: A New Region, A Bigger Business Fantasy
Set in Felicia Bay, a sun-drenched, fictional region inspired by the Iberian Peninsula, Bus Simulator 27 leans further into the operator fantasy at the heart of the brand. Players are tasked with rebuilding trust in public transportation by growing a modern bus company from the ground up—designing routes, managing schedules, expanding fleets, and hiring drivers across a living urban environment.
The game supports Story, Career, and Sandbox modes, playable solo or in 4-player online co-op, reinforcing astragon’s long-term strategy around accessible, non-violent simulation experiences with deep systemic depth.
Release Window and Platforms
Bus Simulator 27 is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026 on PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store) as well as PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Additional details and gameplay reveals will be shared in the coming months.
Samsung Electronics America today announced a partnership with Capcom, publisher of the iconic Resident Evil™ franchise, to shape a more immersive and intuitive gaming experience for players ahead of the upcoming release of Resident Evil™ Requiem. As part of the collaboration, select Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor models have been named the Official Monitor of Resident Evil Requiem including the world’s first 500Hz OLED monitor[1].
By combining advanced Samsung monitors with Capcom’s detailed world-building, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing what players can see and feel on screen. Known for immersive environments and pulse-pounding gameplay, the Resident Evil franchise demands cutting-edge display technology.
As the Official Monitor of Resident Evil Requiem, Samsung Odyssey displays are engineered for visual precision and smooth motion response, allowing players to experience every moment to the fullest with greater clarity and confidence. Samsung monitors bring the vivid gameplay experience to life, supporting everything from careful, slow-paced exploration to rapid shifts in action.
“Our Odyssey lineup is engineered to deliver the atmosphere, tension and visual detail of the entire Resident Evil Requiem experience,” said Jim Kiczek, Vice President, Audio, Memory, and Monitor Product Marketing. “With ultra-fast response, deep contrast and precise color, the Odyssey monitors make every moment feel immediate. A game this rich deserves a monitor that can match the details of its world, and an Odyssey is designed to keep players fully immersed from the first scene to the last.”
To celebrate the partnership and bring players into the world of Resident Evil, Samsung and Capcom are giving away 12,500 game codes for Resident Evil Requiem with the purchase of an eligible Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor[2] From February 25th through August 23rd, purchasers can submit proof of purchase online and receive a Steam code to download the highly anticipated ninth installment of Resident Evil.
Commanders are preparing to disrupt the combat status quo, as Elite Dangerous’ first ship of 2026, the Kestrel Mk II, launches today into ARX Early Access. This comes hot on the heels of the reveal of the 2026 content roadmap, offering a glimpse at how Frontier’s iconic space simulation is continuing to evolve after a successful 2025.
A small frame capable of delivering a big impact, the Kestrel Mk II has been designed to break convention and challenge Elite Dangerous’ heavy-hitting combat ships with a manoeuvrable and aggressive loadout. Complimented by three large hardpoints and a pair of new modules; The Mk II Plasma Shock Accelerator, a fully automatic variant of the existing Shock Cannon which utilises the ship’s fuel as ammunition, and the Mk II Agile Boost Thrusters, which offer significant lateral and vertical acceleration when boosting, creating an evasive fighter which packs a punch.
The Kestrel Mk II was revealed as part of Elite Dangerous’ first developer update of the year, which also included a first look at the 2026 content roadmap and a glimpse at Elite Dangerous’ first major update of the year, Operations. This new way to play offers multi-stage missions for a team of up to four players, bringing unique rewards whilst challenging Commanders to master both on-foot and ship activities. Alongside this brand-new feature, the content roadmap also revealed five new vessels arriving throughout the year, and a feature reboot coming in the Autumn.
The Kestrel Mk II is available now for 16,520 ARX, whilst the Stellar Edition can be acquired for 33,000 ARX and includes a selection of additional ship kit pieces alongside a striking paint job. Commanders can also choose to expand their cosmetic options with the Kestrel’s Galactic Bundle for 60,000 ARX, containing everything in the Stellar Edition alongside the Flare Animated Holo-Kit and six paint jobs. All Commanders who purchase the ship within the early access window will also receive a limited edition ‘Owners Club’ decal. The Kestrel Mk II will be available to purchase for in-game earned credits at a later date.
Elite Dangerous, Elite Dangerous: Odyssey and the combined Deluxe Edition Bundle is available to purchase now on Steam, or via the Epic Games Store.
For more news and information about Elite Dangerous:
The first playable demo for Halloween, the asymmetrical stealth horror game, debuts at PAX East in Boston from March 26-29, 2026. Developer and publisher IllFonic, co-publisher Gun Interactive, and partners Compass International Pictures and Further Front will also host a panel featuring Malek Akkad, who will be joined virtually by John Carpenter before attempting the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “Largest gathering of people dressed as Michael Myers (Halloween franchise).”
Step into a 1v4 online multiplayer experience, with one player embodying the relentless Michael Myers while four others fight to survive. True to the haunting spirit of the original 1978 classic, IllFonic has meticulously crafted the gameplay, locations, ambiance, music, and art direction to reflect the film’s unmistakable eerie tone. Every shadow, quiet street, and flicker of light feeds into an experience designed to recreate the dread that shaped a generation of horror.
The PAX East demo features the map, Haddonfield Heights, a deceptively quiet Midwestern neighborhood filled with modest single-story homes, fenced yards, dimly lit streets, and the abandoned Myers house. Civilians scavenge car trunks, search for escape routes, barricade themselves inside homes, and slip into risky hiding spots, all while Michael stalks from the darkness in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
On Saturday, March 28, at 12:00 pm, at PAX East’s Main Theater, IllFonic will host a panel exploring how developers and original creators collaborate to build authentic interactive worlds. The discussion will feature Malek Akkad, President of Compass International Pictures, Inc.; Ryan Freimann, SVP of Compass International Pictures, Inc.; IllFonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Jared Gerritzen; and Design Director, Jordan Mathewson. They will be joined virtually by John Carpenter, Director of the original 1978 film. The panel is offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the game honors its cinematic roots while evolving into a new medium.
Later on the same day, at 3:30 pm, fans are invited to take part in an ambitious attempt for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the “Largest gathering of people dressed as Michael Myers (Halloween franchise)”, at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center, the venue hosting PAX East. Participants must be dressed in Michael’s signature look: the Shape mask, blue jumpsuit, slicked-back brown hair or appropriate wig, and a prop knife.
Halloween launches on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
To dig deeper into IllFonic and its titles, visit IllFonic’s official website and follow Halloween’s official socials on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, and join the official Discord to get the latest news as development continues.
Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have gone full grindhouse with a very special animated trailer for John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, the ‘80s-inspired action-horror video game arriving March 12 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Watch the brand-new fully animated trailer, featuring the synthwave band Gunship, and let’s get this party started!
A visual work of art celebrating the John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando experience
Today’s trailer brings the game’s buddy-movie-meets-over-the-top-action spirit to life in vibrant cartoon form. Crafted by the tremendous talent at Gizmo Animation, this animated trailer features John Carpenter as a terrifying zombie party-god, with the Master of Horror himself voicing his character and setting the stage for an apocalypse unlike any other.
Powering this vibrant world and perfectly capturing the energy of ‘80s movies is the original track “Tell Me When the World Stops Ending” by synthwave band Gunship, composed specifically for the trailer. The video is a blend of animation, voice and music that flows naturally, highlighting the skill and dedication of the whole team behind it.
Grab your squad and crash the zombie party in the limited-time demo
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando’s first playable demo is live now until March 2 on Steam. So grab your go-to carnage-minded buddies and see how good it gets blowing up endless hordes of zombies that want to eat your face!
Pre-order the Standard or Blood Edition and get free DLC
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando will come in two editions—the Standard Edition and the Blood Edition, both available to pre-order now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Pre-order any edition to grab the Leon’s Secret Stash DLC for free!
On top of the base game, the Blood Edition also includes the Bloody Pass, featuring:
Two post-launch DLCs including unique skins for characters, weapons, and vehicles to make sure you have the most fashionable crew of the apocalypse
A golden Cosmetic Pack for weapons featuring a weapon charm and character skins
Time’s almost out. Don’t just sit there – play the new Steam demo and gear up with your edition of choice now!
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando launches on March 12, 2026. Pre-order it before it’s too late on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.
Today, Nested Lands, the survival-settlement RPG from META Publishing and 1M Bits Horde set in a dark world full of pestilence and madmen, launches into Steam Early Access. Alone or in co-op with up to three friends, players will have to build and expand their settlement from scratch, making sure the sanitary standards are met and protecting it from marauders, the Black Death, and their own ineptness.
Nested Lands is a medieval survival-settlement RPG set during the Black Death. Starting from nothing, players must work hard to build a functioning village by gathering resources, enduring nasty plague outbreaks, and protecting their people from roaming bandits and unstable, plague-twisted foes. Between the responsibilities that come with leading a village, surviving a deadly outbreak, and the question of the main character’s own mental state and personal hygiene, what could go wrong?
As the settlement grows, players will be tasked to stockpile medicine and get rid of infected corpses to ensure that their entire village doesn’t get wiped out by the plague. They need to master a variety of gory skills in order to beat their foes, including melee combat, archery, and stealth attacks. But be careful, for those who don’t take care of their personal hygiene, rancid body odor will alert enemies to their presence!
The Early Access roadmap was published earlier this month, detailing the planned additions and improvements to the game, including new threats, systems, biomes, features, and much more to help build the perfect settlement.
Stay up to date with Nested Lands by following the game on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Discord, and YouTube. Players can learn more about the game on the official website.
Rise of Piracy is now available in Early Access on Steam. Developed as a passion-driven project, Rise of Piracy blends action, exploration, and real-time strategy into a sandbox pirate experience where players carve their own path across a fully hand-crafted world of open seas, rival factions, and large-scale warfare.
Starting their journey at sea and growing into the commander of a formidable fleet, players can trade, explore, conquer islands, engage in diplomacy, or dominate through naval firepower and coordinated land assaults. The Early Access launch delivers a complete and replayable campaign foundation, designed to expand further with community feedback.
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS, in collaboration with Nixxes Software, are pleased to share the system requirements for the PC edition of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH.
Nixxes Software has been working hard to deliver the world of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH from PS5 to PC, lovingly recreating the highly-detailed landscapes and photo realistic characters whilst delivering a smooth player experience with the best possible visuals, on a wide variety of hardware. Check out the newly announced system requirements here.
Pre-purchase DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH either through Steam or Epic Games Store.
Critical Role, a leader in storytelling and world-building, today officially announced that Alyssa Zeisler has joined the company as General Manager of Beacon, its membership program designed to bring critters closer to the worlds and creators they love. Beacon offers a wide range of exclusive and early access programming, live event pre-sales, instant access to VODs and podcasts, discounts on merchandise, and more. In the role, Zeisler will oversee Beacon’s product roadmap, business performance, content and platform strategy, as well as the continued evolution of Beacon as a community hub, creator-led ecosystem, and a central destination for all things Critical Role and TTRPGs.
Critical Role Appoints Alyssa Zeisler as General Manager of Beacon
“Beacon is central to how we think about the future of Critical Role, and it’s time for it to level up and evolve,” said Travis Willingham, CEO and Co-founder of Critical Role. “Alyssa brings exactly the kind of leadership this next phase requires. She understands how to build lasting, audience-first platforms at scale, and her experience leading subscription and direct-to-consumer businesses makes her a perfect fit to help Beacon grow while staying true to the unique authenticity that makes Critical Role what it is.”
Zeisler is a veteran digital media and product executive with a distinguished track record of scaling subscription and platforms while bringing user-centric, data-informed strategy to legacy media brands. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Product at Hallmark Media, where she helped lead the relaunch of Hallmark+, a membership platform that unified content and commerce into a seamless, audience-driven experience.
“My goal for Beacon is to make it the gold standard for direct-to-consumer platforms,” said Alyssa Zeisler, General Manager of Beacon. “It’s a place where we can experiment with new formats in the TTRPG space while creating a seamless experience for fans. We’re building the blueprint for how a community-led brand transitions into a sustainable, global media company, and I’m excited to be at the helm as we evolve this ecosystem into something truly industry-defining.”
Prior to Hallmark, Zeisler held a series of senior leadership roles at Dow Jones, including Vice President of Subscription and Strategic Products and Research & Development Chief at The Wall Street Journal, where she led multidisciplinary teams focused on emerging technologies, audience engagement, and newsroom-supporting innovation. As Audience Managing Editor at Barron’s, she helped accelerate the 100-year-old publication’s digital transformation. Earlier in her career, Zeisler also held editorial and audience leadership roles at the Financial Times.
Under Zeisler’s leadership, Beacon will continue to grow as a fan-first membership experience while supporting Critical Role’s long-term vision for sustainable, meaningful expansion across relevant formats, platforms, and markets.
For more information on Beacon, please visit beacon.tv, and follow Beacon on Instagram, TikTok, and Blue Sky at @hellobeacon.
