Author - Jerry Paxton

Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse Remastered Announcement Trailer

Somewhere, in the infinite blackness beyond the limits of human comprehension, an ancient, terrible power lies waiting.

Since the dawn of time, villains throughout the galaxy have searched for a way to tap into that power, bending all of creation to their own twisted ends.

But you needn’t freak out. There’s nothing to fear — unless, of course, this power should somehow fall into the wrong hands…

Originally released in 2010, Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse is the final chapter in Telltale’s acclaimed Sam & Max adventure game trilogy.

Now it’s been lovingly remastered by a small team who worked on the original, and will come to PC (Steam & GOG), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox on August 14.

Fandom’s Back in San Diego for Annual Party at Hard Rock Hotel

We’re baaaaack! Fandom, the world’s largest fan platform, is back in San Diego to host its highly-anticipated annual event during the biggest fan convention of the year. Presented by gaming publisher EA, the seventh annual Fandom Party will take place at FLOAT at the Hard Rock Hotel on Thursday, July 25 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Guests will explore a variety of fan-first experiences including the opportunity to learn more about BioWare and EA’s upcoming all new single-player fantasy RPG experience Dragon Age: The Veilguard, and custom activations from partners Z2 Comics and Pinfinity. And the party doesn’t stop there! Fandom is turning 20 this year and this year’s party will kick off the festivities with special moments for attendees throughout the night.

The Fandom Party is the hottest ticket in town, filled with interactive experiences including a Dragon Age-themed scavenger hunt leading to a custom photo booth, 360-degree red carpet social cam, giveaways, a graphic novel exhibition from Z2, an AR experience and collectible pin from partner Pinfinity – and so much more!

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements with more details on the musical guest, party ticket giveaways, and activation details.

The Fandom Party welcomes hundreds of fans, industry partners, press, and influencers. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter – Announcement Trailer

Aspyr is excited to announce STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter, in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, a new title that brings the original STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter (2002) to modern platforms with visual enhancements, improved environmental textures, new dynamic lighting effects, and a new flashlight tool for navigating dark places. STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter will launch on Aug. 1, 2024, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is available to pre-order today with a 10% discount until the official launch.

Become the most feared Bounty Hunter in the galaxy! As Jango Fett, you’ll have to jump, jetpack, climb, and maneuver in this iconic action-adventure game featuring a variety of visual improvements on modern platforms, as well as Steam Deck support and a number of DualSense controller features for PlayStation 5 players.

And for the first time ever, if the campaign is completed, players can unlock a new Boba Fett skin for their next playthrough, paying off a notorious easter egg from the original game!

Key Features

  • Let the Hunt Begin: In this classic third-person action-adventure, you’ll play as Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi.
  • Relive the Timeless Tale: Experience the legendary Bounty Hunter fantasy set before the events of Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones™. Face off against foes and maneuver through acrobatic battles in this adaption optimized for today’s consoles and hardware.
  • Armed to the Teeth: Fight your way through the galaxy’s underbelly, equipped with Dual Blasters, your Flamethrower, Whipcord, and pure Mandalorian Rage.

STAR WARS™: Bounty Hunter launches Aug. 1, 2024, on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam for the suggested retail price of $19.99 and is available to pre-order starting today with a 10% discount until the official launch.

Mechabellum Sandworm Trailer

Today, Paradox Arc and Game River released a new update to their tactical war game Mechabellum. The game, currently in Steam Early Access let’s players control armies of mechs and robots in online competitive arenas. The update introduces a new unit, the Sandworm, as well as a brand new map.

Introducing the Sandworm
Prepare to dominate the battlefield with the Sandworm, a colossal melee unit that can burrow underground and emerge to deliver devastating attacks on its foes. This fearsome addition can shake up strategies and keep players on their toes.

New Map for the Brawl Mode
The update also brings a brand-new map to the 4-player brawl mode, featuring a layout inspired by the original map. This new battleground offers fresh visuals for players to test their mettle.

Rugby 24 Renamed Rugby 25

NACON and Big Ant Studios are pleased to offer rugby fans the ultimate video game experience of their favourite sport with Rugby 25, available now on Early Access for PC (Steam). The game’s final launch on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC is scheduled after the Early Access process is complete.

As the game has had a deferred release due to scheduling issues with regard to teams making players available for photogrammetry, consequently shifting focus to the 2024-2025 season, the game shall now be known as Rugby 25. The early access version on the Steam platform, incorporating just part of the content, is playable from today, giving players a preview of the game’s mechanics, the studio’s aims and the opportunity to influence its development. The title will be released later this year with the final content incorporated, making it the most complete and ambitious rugby video game to date.

Eagerly awaited by rugby fans ever since it was announced, the studio wanted to get Rugby 25 into players hands at the earliest opportunity. In this initial Early Access release players will be able to select from 21 Nations, including the Australian Wallabies and French teams, with complete photogrammetry. Other teams and photogrammetry will be constantly added over the Early Access period, to reach a total of over 140 international teams, including New Zealand, South Africa and England, as well as more than 150 club teams from 11 competitions, such as the URC, the English Premiership, France’s Top 14, MLR and Super Rugby. More content, including teams, stadia and new playing modes, will be added in every update, right through to the game’s final release.

The development team are eager to receive and incorporate feedback from the community. They would like to invite fans and experts to team up with them directly via the dedicated chats and forums, to help make Rugby 25 the best rugby simulation to date.

Exo One Has Landed on PlayStation

Publisher All in! Games, working with Future Friends Games and Australian developer Exbleative (AKA Jay Weston), has announced that the critically acclaimed interplanetary, gravity-defying journey Exo One is available now PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Updated Features
To make the experience more immersive than ever before, the PS5 version will utilize the Haptic Feedback features of the DualSense controller, enhancing immersion and simulating the feeling of gravity defying flight. The game will also include 120fps support so players with high refresh rate TVs and monitors can enjoy smooth breathtaking visuals alongside ultra-responsive gameplay.

Adaptive triggers will put resistance when going uphill and vibrate when you reach the speed of light. Players will feel even more engaged in the game world with the special sounds for reaching colossal speeds and entering a portal. What’s more, the colors of the sky in specific scenes will be reflected on the game pad.

PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue Launch Trailer

Boys in Blue, the second DLC expansion for the ultimate heist shooter fantasy, is out now on all platforms, accessible to Silver Edition, Gold Edition, and Gold Pass owners of PAYDAY™ 3. The update includes new free content, Solo Mode Beta and robbing the cops in the second DLC expansion. Watch the launch trailer here.

Picking up the story from Chapter 1: Syntax Error, it’s time to get their gold back from a corrupt police captain. The Boys are back in town and Clover too!

DLC overview
The gang will infiltrate a police station, embodying the true spirit of PAYDAY as each gold bar they steal becomes a bold act of defiance against authority.

Boys in Blue is accessible to Silver, Gold, and Season Pass owners of PAYDAY™ 3 and is available to buy separately on PC, Xbox Series S|X, and PlayStation 5. The DLC consists of:

  •        The Heist Pack: with PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue
  •        The Weapon Pack with 3 new weapons, 26 mods and and 2 cosmetics
  •        The Tailor Pack with 4 new masks, 4 new suits, and 4 new gloves.

PAYDAY 3 second DLC Expansion comes also with a major free update. The Boys in Blue free update will be available for all players including:

  •         Solo Mode Beta (on all platforms)
  •         New heister Clover, originally introduced to the PAYDAY series in 2014, including a gun and weapon charm
  •         New Primary weapon – LMG
  •         Loadout renaming
  •         3 new masks
  •         12 new flag stickers
  •         Twitch drops
  •         Nvidia DLSS 3.0 Ready, offering a great boost to performance for anyone with a recent Nvidia graphics card
  •         Twitch drops

Releasing alongside the Boys in Blue update will be a Gold Pass, now available for purchase. Upgrading to the Gold Pass will give all base PAYDAY 3 Edition fans access to all Year 1 content.

Solo Mode Beta
The Boys in Blue Update introduces a Solo Mode Beta, addressing community feedback received since the game’s release.

In this beta, the sections of the game previously hosted on PAYDAY servers are now hosted on players’ devices. What it does is skip the matchmaking step, meaning players still must log in and have access to the internet, but only for the initial identification and start up. This is the first step to support a full offline option in the future.

In PAYDAY 3: Chapter 2 – Boys in Blue, the Gang continues to unravel the web of betrayal surrounding former Murkywater CEO John Concord. The gang is tasked with enacting revenge on behalf of their old friend Vlad, breaking into a secure holding facility of the NYPD. In return, they’ll get a piece of the loot and access to private correspondence between a corrupt police captain and Concord.

The four most well-known clown-masked criminals in recent video game history returned from retirement last September in PAYDAY 3 on PC via PC Game Pass, on Steam and Epic Games Store, as well as Xbox Series S|X, on Console Game Pass, PlayStation 5 and GeForce Now.

Stern Pinball Launches All-New John Wick Contracts

Following Stern Pinball’s recent John Wick release, the entertainment and gaming powerhouse has released an all-new Insider Connected feature for quests: John Wick Contracts! Pinball enthusiasts and John Wick fans alike should gather their factions and head over to their nearest arcade to get started on their next mission!

John Wick Contracts offer a thrilling new addition to Stern’s pinball experience. Much like traditional Stern quests, these contracts will award profile badges upon completion of objectives in the John Wick game, like skill shots, modes, combos, and more.

John Wick Contracts will be delivered to players at random times with a notification via the Insider Connected app. Open Contracts will be available throughout the quest timeframe, giving players ample opportunity to complete them at their own pace. Limited Contracts add an extra layer of excitement with a race against other players! Once all Limited Contracts are all claimed, they are permanently closed.

Separately, in case you missed it, Stern recently began hosting John Wick launch parties all across the world! Players can participate by scanning into Stern’s Insider Connected app on any connected machine at an official launch party location. In doing so, they’ll earn a special digital launch party badge on their profile. Official launch parties (separated by region) can be found here, and players who have an Insider Connected account can log in and find the launch parties nearest to them.

Lil Nas X Unveils Original Song for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F

Multi-platinum award-winning artist Lil Nas X has released his new song, “HERE WE GO! (from the Netflix film “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F”)” today via Columbia Records – listen HERE. Check out Lil Nas X discussing the creation of the song, alongside the legend himself Eddie Murphy, HERE.

The song was produced by Ojivolta and written by Montero Hill (Lil Nas X), Harold Faltermeyer, Raul Cubina, Mark Williams & Jarrod Morgan. It also includes an interpolation of the classic “Axel F” theme song from the 1984 Beverly Hills Cop film, written and performed by Harold Faltermeyer. The track is featured multiple times throughout the film as the movie’s theme and culminates with playing over the end credits.

Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces a New Interactive Wall in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood scores with the debut of a new interactive wall, located within the Frosted Glacier area.

This innovative, interactive wall is designed to challenge guests as they engage with familiar Super Mario™ characters within the dynamic land. For those wearing their Power-Up Band™, guests can collect digital coins and stamps while keeping track of their score as they challenge themselves each time they play.

The premise is simple. Guests begin by punching the ? Block where one of four Power-Up items – Fire Flower, Ice Flower, Super Mushroom or Super Star – appear on the screen. They then can tap the Power-Up item and use it by swiping or tapping to defeat Goombas and Red and Green Koopa Paratroopas or tapping brick blocks as they flash by which earns them coins. The goal is to collect as many points as possible before the timed activity concludes.

Universal Studios Hollywood continues to celebrate the one-year anniversary of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD since it opened on February 17, 2023.  Other recent additions include a commemorative, special-release Golden Power-Up Band™, the perfect addition to the existing six Power-Up Band design options available for purchase with character themes, as well as a complimentary 1-Year Anniversary Button, available while supplies last at Guest Relations, located inside the theme park.

The all-new Power Up Cafe, which opened earlier this year and is located on the Upper Lot of the theme park, invites guests to power up outside of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

This exciting original concept grab-and-go cafe serves a scrumptious menu of Super Mario™ Power Up themed menu items available exclusively at this permanent new cafe. Plus, guests can place their orders within the venue or via the official Universal Studios Hollywood mobile app to save time.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is a visually spectacular land, located within an expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. Within the vibrancy of colors and architectural ingenuity, the land features the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many interactive activities to engage the family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom.

Along with themed dining at Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

From the moment guests pass through the iconic green pipe, a journey filled with exploration, discovery and play awaits that is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. Their journey begins as they enter Peach’s Castle before venturing further into the colorful Mushroom Kingdom.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD sweeps guests into the 360-degree world of Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and Toad where they become an integral part of their thrilling universe.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD was conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

For more information and details, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).