Author - Jerry Paxton

Dice of Arcana Official Demo Trailer

Shoreline Games has teamed up with Studio Evil to publish their latest, horror-inspired, roguelite strategy game: Dice of Arcana. Players will be able to get an early first playthrough of the game 11 days prior to its demo inclusion in Steam Next Fest on February 24th. Shortly thereafter, Dice of Arcana is then slated to release into Early Access on April 29, 2025, with a 1.0 release date on the horizon.

Dice of Arcana is a roguelite dice game that challenges players to survive a blood-drenched trip on a caravan led by a malevolent puppet. Bet your fingers, break the rules with special dice, face major arcana and prevail: losing means death.

Dice of Arcana is being developed by Studio Evil, who’s been producing games out of Italy for the greater part of 10 years producing titles like Super Cane Magic Zero and Syder Arcade both of which are rated very positively on Steam.

“As fans of similar games like Inscryption, we fell in love with Dice of Arcana upon first playing it as, infrastructurally, it has a bunch of really excellent gameplay elements that we are excited for players to eventually experience,” said CEO and co-founder Keith Kawamura. “Honestly, I feel the most excited to be able to align with a studio like Studio Evil that allows for such a balanced collaborative, communicative, and cohesive experience as we move Dice of Arcana into a live environment for players.”

“When you’re creating a game you love, you start wondering: will it reach the right players? How do you present it in a way that makes it shine? It’s an art in not just what you create but who you create and grow it with,” said Luca Marchetti, Game Director of Dice of Arcana. “We found that perfect mix of passion and communication skills in Shoreline. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together for fans of the genre!”

NACON Announces Global Partnership with Evo Ultimate Fighting Game Tournament

Leading gaming peripherals manufacturer NACON has announced a global partnership with Evo for the 2025 season. As an official partner, NACON will showcase its award-winning fight stick, controllers, and headsets throughout the Evo Awards Show and 2025 Evo event circuit.

“NACON’s rich history in developing premium controllers and headsets makes the Evo partnership a great alignment because we understand the demanding needs of pro players who compete at an elite level.” said Alain Falc, CEO of NACON.

The partnership will see the Fighting Game Community experience broadcast segments, branded commercial spots, live fan activations and much more from NACON. In addition, competitors will have the opportunity to use the latest RIG headsets across thousands of stations at Evo Japan, Combo Breaker, CEO, Evo Las Vegas and Evo France.

“Evo has always had a need for reliable gaming hardware, as such we are very excited to have NACON join as an official partner as we continue to deliver exceptional experiences to the Fighting Game Community,” said Mark Julio, Director of Business Development at Evo. “NACON’s industry-leading products align perfectly with Evo’s commitment to excellence, ensuring an incredible hardware experience for both competitors and fans.”

With over 30 years of expertise in gaming innovation, NACON has established itself as a leader in premium accessories, specializing in pro gaming controllers, headsets and racing gears. The NACON Daija Arcade Stick has won multiple global awards.

Fans will experience this partnership in action at the Evo Awards on February 15th in Los Angeles, where NACON is proudly presenting the Comeback of the Year category. Tune in live starting at 5 pm PT via Evo’s Twitch Channel and Evo’s YouTube Channel to celebrate the best moments in competitive fighting games.

Chernobylite 2 Early Access Announcement Trailer

We’ve been working on Chernobylite 2 for over three years, and today, it is one of the most significant milestones achieved. We’ve proven with you, our players and backers, that this is not only our dream project but also an essential creation for you.

And as they say in action movies, this is not the end. We have just started.

By reaching more than 200% of our campaign goal, we confirmed, justified, and solidified the sense of three years of hard work. Many of you already know that the Chornobyl Zone has been our obsession for much longer—since 2014, we’ve been there dozens of times, and this is our third project dedicated to this place. But this is the first time we can craft the virtual Zone to the proper size, making it an open world that you can explore seamlessly and for as long as you want.

Exceeding our campaign target with six stretch goals, we’ve secured many possibilities for expanding the project beyond our original plans. In addition to the key feature of switchable first-person and third-person perspectives, we know that we can add all guns from the first Chernobylite, including the lovely Blaster, make them all customizable, add extra locations for single-player and coop missions, and provide you with a customizable interface for both game perspectives.

With limited scope, we will keep our campaign live thanks to options of Late Pledges – you can still back us up and get some of the selected rewards for the next few months, but the amount of physical rewards will be strictly limited within this timeframe. Anyway, if you couldn’t afford to get some of the most remarkable physical items during our campaign period, there is still some option to grab them later.

And now it’s time to shift gears and press the pedal to the metal. Early Access to the game is just around the corner. On March 6th, players worldwide can play it on Steam. We’ll provide about one-third of the final game’s content, but in terms of content and time spent playing, it’s much more than the whole first Chernobylite game. Prepare yourself for the ultimate Chornobyl ride!

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die Official Gameplay Trailer

Today, Thunderful revealed that Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, a new story set within the world of Lost in Random, will launch in Summer 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC.

As the leading project of the recently rebranded Stormteller Games (previously Thunderful Gothenburg), Lost in Random: The Eternal Die introduces a next chapter in the eerie and twisted Lost in Random universe as a rogue-lite action game. Players looking to dive in can play the title’s first public demo starting today on Steam. The demo will also be available on Xbox beginning tomorrow, February 14.

In Lost in Random: The Eternal Die, Aleksandra, formerly known as The Queen, and her companion, Fortune, have been captured inside the Black Die by Mare the Knight, who is plotting their final chapter. Players will fight their way through a randomly generated gauntlet where they’ll take on monstrous pawns and giant board games, to claim treasure which improves their chances of defeating Aleksandra’s tormentor. They must use their wits and trusty die companion to escape this living labyrinth, where evil reigns and Random Rules.

Gameplay features in Lost in Random: The Eternal Die include:

  • Mastery Meets Chance: Engage in fast-paced, second-to-second combat that blends real-time action with strategic decision-making – and a touch of luck.
  • Forge Your Playstyle: Wield four unique weapons, throw your die-companion, and combine 100+ relics with powerful card-based abilities to unleash devastating synergies.
  • Ever-Changing World: Traverse four randomly generated worlds, each with its own distinct secrets and challenges and face over 30 different enemy types and formidable bosses.
  • A Dark Fantasy Tale: Immerse yourself in a fully voiced story set in a Tim Burton-inspired world, brought to life with hauntingly beautiful landscapes and an enchanting soundtrack.

HUMANKIND Achilles Update Out Now

Amplitude Studios is excited to announce the release of a brand-new free update for HUMANKIND™, the turn-based historical strategy game that has captivated 3 million people worldwide! Achilles update will prevent players from being caught off guard by a sudden end to the war and make clearer how demands, occupied territory, and surrender terms are connected.

Below is a summary of the key highlights you can look forward to exploring:

  • Refuse surrender: Players can now reject surrender proposals, even with 0 War Support.
  • No forced White Peace: Reaching 0 War Support no longer triggers an automatic White Peace.
  • War score adjustments: Now based only on demands and occupied territory.
  • Centralized power: A new empire bonus to reduce the impact of lost units on War Support.
  • Surprise wars: Players can now declare surprise wars at any time.
  • New historical figures: Added personas like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, and Sun Tzu.

Please note, the Achilles update is only available on Steam.

The Patch notes can be found here.

DJI Mic Mini Wireless Microphone Review: Best Portable Mic for Vlogging?

Okay, let’s talk about the DJI Mic Mini. You know, in the world of online videos and podcasts, everyone’s obsessed with crisp, clear audio. Nobody wants to listen to a video where it sounds like you’re talking through a tin can. I’ve been there, trust me. And for a long time, getting good audio while staying mobile was a real pain. Wires everywhere, bulky mics, it was a whole thing. But DJI, they’re wizards in the drone world, right? Well, they’ve taken that magic and sprinkled it on the audio scene with the Mic Mini, and I’ve been playing with it for a few weeks now, so let me give you the lowdown.

First impressions? This thing is tiny. Seriously, the transmitters are about the size of a quarter. I’m talking pocket-sized, clip-on-your-shirt-and-forget-it small. And that’s HUGE for anyone who’s trying to film themselves or interview someone without looking like they’re wearing a giant radio transmitter. The whole kit comes in this neat little charging case, which, okay, it’s not *microscopic*, but it’s definitely portable. It’s made of a sturdy material, so it feels like it can survive being tossed in a backpack. Inside, you’ve got room for the two transmitters, the receiver, and some handy accessories.

Setting it up? Piece of cake. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, so I was a little worried, but honestly, it was easier than connecting my Bluetooth headphones. Everything is pre-paired, so you just pop open the case, turn everything on, and boom – you’re ready to roll. The receiver plugs into your phone with a USB-C adapter, and if you’re rocking an older iPhone, you can grab a Lightning adapter separately. For cameras, you’ve got a standard 3.5mm cable. And get this – the transmitters can even connect directly to some DJI cameras and phones via Bluetooth. Talk about convenient! There’s an app, the DJI Mimo app, where you can tweak some settings, like noise cancellation. It’s pretty straightforward, but you do have to make a DJI account, which is a little annoying. I mean, come on, do I *really* need an account just to use a microphone?

Now, let’s talk sound. This is the most important part, right? And I gotta say, the Mic Mini delivers. The audio is crisp, clear, and warm. It’s a massive upgrade from my phone’s built-in mic. I’ve been using it for everything – recording voiceovers, filming interviews, even just messing around with some music stuff. It handles everything like a champ. And the noise cancellation? Pretty darn good. It’s not going to completely silence a jet engine, but it does a great job of minimizing background noise. I tested it out in a busy coffee shop, and it filtered out most of the chatter and clatter, so my voice came through nice and clear. The windscreens are a lifesaver for outdoor recording – they keep the wind noise to a minimum.

Battery life? Don’t even get me started. It’s insane. I’m talking all-day recording without even a hint of low battery anxiety. DJI claims around 11.5 hours on a single charge for the transmitters, and I found that to be pretty accurate. And the charging case? It holds multiple charges, so you can literally record for days without needing to find an outlet. This is a game-changer for anyone who’s always on the go.

The Mic Mini is also super versatile. It works with pretty much everything. Phones, cameras, tablets, you name it. And the fact that it connects directly to some DJI cameras via Bluetooth is just awesome. It makes my workflow so much smoother. The range is also impressive. I could wander pretty far from my recording device without losing signal.

Okay, now for the downsides. There are a couple of things that bug me a little. First, there’s no internal recording on the transmitters. So, if you lose signal for some reason, you lose the audio. That’s a bit of a bummer. It would be nice to have a backup recording, just in case. Also, the receiver doesn’t have a screen. It’s got a gain dial, which is fine, but a screen would give you a better visual representation of your audio levels. And finally, the charging case, while convenient, could be a tad smaller. I mean, it’s called the *Mini* for a reason, right?

But honestly, those are pretty minor complaints. Overall, the DJI Mic Mini is a fantastic wireless microphone system. It’s compact, easy to use, sounds great, and has amazing battery life. It’s perfect for anyone who needs to record high-quality audio on the go. Whether you’re a YouTuber, podcaster, filmmaker, or just someone who wants to make better videos for social media, the Mic Mini is definitely worth checking out.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros:

  • Ultra-Portable and Discreet: Tiny transmitters and compact charging case make it ideal for on-the-go recording.
  • Excellent Audio Quality: Captures clear, warm vocals and significantly improves over built-in mics.
  • Long Battery Life: Impressive battery performance for both transmitters and charging case.
  • Easy to Use: Simple plug-and-play setup with intuitive controls.
  • Versatile Connectivity: Works with smartphones, cameras, tablets, and computers; Bluetooth connectivity with select DJI devices.
  • Effective Noise Cancellation: Reduces background noise for cleaner recordings.
  • Affordable Price: Offers great value compared to higher-end wireless microphone systems.

Cons:

  • No Internal Recording: Lack of backup recording on transmitters could result in lost audio if there’s a signal interruption.
  • Limited On-Receiver Controls: No screen on the receiver for visual feedback on audio levels.
  • Charging Case Size: While portable, it could be smaller considering the “Mini” moniker.

FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves Reveals Season Pass 1 DLC Characters and More

Today at the EVO Awards, SNK CORPORATION announced the full Season Pass 1 character lineup for FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, featuring Street Fighter’s Ken and Chun-Li, FATAL FURY’s Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi, and Art of Fighting’s Mr. Big. Additionally, the Open Beta test from February 20 – 24 (PST) will feature eight playable characters, including the newly announced Kain R. Heinlein, the ambitious mastermind and boss of GAROU: Mark of the Wolves!

FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves will release on April 24, 2025 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Pre-order the physical edition of the game at major retailers, including Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and GameStop.

Arriving in South Town: Five Season Pass 1 DLC Characters!

Street Fighter’s Ken and Chun-Li, Fatal Fury’s Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi, and Art of Fighting’s Mr. Big will take to the streets of South Town throughout 2025 and 2026. Each DLC character will be available as part of the FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves – Special Edition, which includes the base game for $59.99 USD on all platforms. Fans who pre-order will also receive the iconic FATAL FURY 2 costume for Terry Bogard.

Season Pass 1 characters will release during the following windows:

  • Andy Bogard: Summer 2025
  • Ken: Summer 2025
  • Joe Higashi: Fall 2025
  • Chun-Li: Winter 2025
  • Mr. Big: Early 2026

Dominate South Town with Kain R. Heinlein!

  • Voice Actors: Brett Calo (EN), Yuichi Nakamura (JA)
  • Bio: A young idealist burning with ambition, Kain’s domineering resolve sees him tearing through numerous hostile organizations around South Town. While cleansing the town, he makes an unsettling discovery: his older sister, Marie, is being held captive. Realizing he cannot rescue her alone, Kain allies with Rock Howard to confront her captors. With a twist of fate, a dream for the future, and an unwavering resolve, Kain turns to the upcoming KOF tournament, where he hopes to return Marie to safety once at last.

Fight Early this Month with Eight Open Beta Characters and Four Stages!

Choose from eight fierce fighters in the open beta, including Kain R. Heinlein, the final boss of GAROU: Mark of the Wolves. The beta will feature four stages—Training, Freight Express, B. Port, and Training Ground— as well as online Ranked Matches, Casual Matches, and Room Matches and the offline Tutorial.

Open Beta Characters:

  • Kain R. Heinlein
  • Rock Howard
  • Terry Bogard
  • Hotaru Futaba
  • B. Jenet
  • Mai Shiranui
  • Preecha
  • Vox Reaper

FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves introduces a stunning, comic-inspired art style that’s a visual treat for series fans, combined with fights fueled by the cutting-edge REV System to deliver dynamic matches. The open beta offers the public their first opportunity to experience the modernized action of City of the Wolves at home, featuring two distinct control schemes tailored to engage both newcomers and seasoned pros.

Knights in Tight Spaces Release Date Reveal Trailer

Today, Swedish indie publisher Raw Fury and UK developer Ground Shatter announced that their medieval turn-based tactical deckbuilder, Knights in Tight Spaces, will launch on March 4 for PC via Steam. Players can play a demo of the game and wishlist on Steam today.

As a standalone follow-up to 2021’s Fights in Tight Spaces, Knights in Tight Spaces builds on a successful foundation of blending strategic thinking with thrilling and stylish animated fight sequences with an exciting medieval setting. Players assemble their party and structure their deck to create momentum and own the environments and challenging scenarios they fight in.

  • A stylish, action-packed take on deckbuilders – Fight through challenging scenarios packed with enemies, with strong action-movie visual effects and animations, while vibing with the elegant soundtrack.
  • Master your surroundings – Position characters carefully around enemies and obstacles, making sure to keep the tactical advantage. Don’t lose sight of the pool of momentum and combo points to release powerful special moves!
  • Gather your party and unveil secrets – Recruit new characters and assemble a party as players travel and reveal new areas in the procedural map, unveiling the mystery of the secret society that has hired them.
  • Find your playstyle – With 300 cards, different classes and gear to equip, and an upgrade system, Knights in Tight Spaces offers countless hours of deckbuilding fun, whether players are experienced turn-based tacticians or new to the genre.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins Sells Over 1M Units

Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Omega Force are thrilled to announce that DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, the latest game in the historic tactical action series, has sold over 1 million units worldwide after the game’s successful launch across PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC via Steam®. Additionally, the DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS free demo has exceeded 2 million downloads.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS introduces a new, deeper interpretation of the traditional Three Kingdoms storyline. From the “Yellow Turban Rebellion” to the climax of the “Battle of Chibi”, the story will transport players to the heart of an ancient China in turmoil. Through the eyes of a nameless hero, players will have to fight fiercely and make choices to restore peace, shape history to their own experience, battle enormous enemy armies, whilst navigating the chaos of the Three Kingdoms era.

DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS delivers an overwhelming sense of realism on every battlefield, with the largest number of soldiers in the series’ history to date. Enemy soldiers attacking cooperatively are a formidable threat, and players will not only fight with their own skills but also charge forward with their allies into massive enemy armies, allowing for a sense of realism on the battlefield of unprecedented scale where thousands of soldiers will collide.

The protagonist of this title takes to the battlefield alongside the heroes of the Three Kingdoms, wiping out swarms of enemies with swords, fists and various other weapons. Travelling across the world map as they embark on their epic journey, players can suppress rebellions or choose to rescue government forces during “Missions”, overcome “Skirmishes”, and visit various locations where they will be able to buy weapons. Throughout their quest, players will also encounter a variety of characters familiar to the DYNASTY WARRIORS franchise such as Cao Cao and Liu Bei. Depending on the bond forged, these characters can become travelling companions, or an enemy as players dive into the most aggressive 1 vs. 1,000 combat in series history!

For more information on DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS, be sure to visit the official site, Subscribe to the official KOEI TECMO America YouTube channel, Like us on Facebook, and Follow us on X, Instagram, and Discord.

GameStonk Simulator Demo Coming Soon During Steam Next Fest

Get ready to open up shop as simsum and Vsoo Games announce that GameStonk Simulator, a brand-new video game store simulator, launches onto Steam in March 2025. Set up the video game store of your dreams, stock up on hit new releases, sell copies to customers, and maintain your store to become the ultimate retail legend.

Experience the thrill of running a video game store as you take on the role of a store manager at a budding new shop, with dreams of making it big in the world of retail. Predict the best sellers, stock up and beat your rivals to the tills by filling the shelves with the hottest titles. But be careful, overbuy and you’ll be faced with a financial loss. Arrange your inventory and design the layout of the shop to appeal to customers, or throw boxes on the shelves and hope for the best in a simulation game where you make the rules.

A playable demo of GameStonk Simulator will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 24th to March 3rd, ahead of the game’s launch on Steam in March 2025.

GameStonk Simulator Features:

  • Plan Your Day – Check your trusty calendar to see what game releases are dropping today and prepare accordingly. A well-run shop starts with a solid plan!
  • Buy Games and Hardware – Every morning, The Merchant arrives in a van with new licenses. Use your computer to order the hottest games and must-have hardware for the day.
  • Stock the Shelves – Fill your store with the latest game releases, top-rated peripherals, and everything your customers crave
  • Run the Register – Open your shop, scan items, and make that sweet, sweet profit. Just don’t keep customers waiting!
  • Defend Your Store – Not everyone comes to shop—some have other ideas. Stop troublemakers before they walk away with your stock!
  • Expand and Grow – Bigger store, more shelves, more customers—grow your empire and become the go-to gaming destination!