Author - Jerry Paxton

Patrick Star of Spongebob Squarepants Gets His First-Ever Video Game

Today, Outright Games, the leading publisher of family-friendly interactive entertainment, under license from Paramount Game Studios, have officially revealed first details of their upcoming video game, The Patrick Star Game, starring SpongeBob SquarePants’ best friend, Patrick Star. Developed by PHL Collective, and announced at todays August 2024 Nintendo Direct, this single-player, sandbox game is set in the iconic world of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and lets fans play as everyone’s favorite pink sea star, Patrick, in his first-ever starring adventure. The Patrick Star Game will release on 4th October 2024, and will be available to play on PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

Players can explore Bikini Bottom as their own playground in this sandbox adventure game, utilizing almost any object they find to alter the world with physics-defying hilarity. Take on missions set by all of Patrick’s friends, including SpongeBob, Mr. Krabs, Sandy Cheeks and Plankton, and explore iconic locations around Bikini Bottom, like Glove World, The Dump and Demolition Derby. From a Krabby Patty construction quest, to playing on the see-saw and causing chaos in Mrs. Puff’s rage room, players will have endless possibilities for adventure!

Complete new tasks and collect jars of mayonnaise, in classic Patrick fashion, to unlock new outfits while looking out for Easter Eggs from the TV series. Additionally, The Patrick Star Game comes complete with voiceovers of the original SpongeBob SquarePants cast, including Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Tom Kenny as SpongeBob, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs and many more!

Stephanie Malham, Managing Director of Outright Games said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work once again with Nickelodeon/Paramount Consumer Products. We are incredibly thankful to be expanding our on-going relationship in adapting iconic IP’s into family-friendly video games. It is an honor to work on an iconic and beloved franchise like ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’. With ‘The Patrick Star Game’, we have created an interactive playground for fans to create their own adventures in Bikini Bottom, while honoring the show’s zany humor and lovable characters.”

Doug Rosen, SVP, Games and Emerging Media at Paramount, said: “Just in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, we are delighted to collaborate with Outright Games to release a new game that for the first time, focusing on the real ‘star’…Patrick.”

Since its launch on July 17, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has reigned as the most-watched animated series for 22 consecutive years, while generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most widely distributed properties in Paramount Global history, seen in more than 180 markets, translated in 30+ languages, and averaging more than 90 million total viewers every quarter. SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg and produced by Nickelodeon in Burbank, Calif.

The Patrick Star Game will be coming to PlayStation 4®, PlayStation 5®, Nintendo Switch™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on 4th October 2024.

Castlevania Brings Gothic Darkness to Dead by Daylight

The sun has set behind the castle on the horizon. Scarlet eyes pierce the darkness. Dracula has arrived in Dead by Daylight, thirsty for a hunt unlike any other. Dead by Daylight: Castlevania is available now, introducing a new Killer, The Dark Lord, and new Survivor, Trevor Belmont to The Entity’s Realm.

Reverence for the Night

In its second collaboration with KONAMI Digital Entertainment (KONAMI), Dead by Daylight adds yet another of gaming’s most storied franchises to an already legendary roster of horror icons. Few titles boast the staying power of Castlevania, delivering entries over the course of nearly 40 years that often resonate with their audience in very personal ways. The Dead by Daylight team, being among them, ensured their passion for Dracula and the Belmont clan would be felt in every pixel of this latest Chapter.

“Working closely with the team at Dead by Daylight, it was a real pleasure to see the love for the franchise and attention to detail that was present throughout,” shares the Castlevania Team at KONAMI. “We’re big fans of Dead by Daylight as well, and were excited about this collaboration from the start, especially knowing what our games and lore meant to the team at Behaviour.”

Variety is the Spice of Death

Harnessing that passion, the creative team put a major focus on one of The Dark Lord’s most unique abilities – one that’s never been seen in Dead by Daylight: shapeshifting.

Dracula’s Power is the ability to switch seamlessly between three forms – each specializing in a different aspect of the hunt to effectively create three Killers in one.

Vampire Form: In Dracula’s base form, players can unleash an attack called Hellfire, which launches a row of flames in a forward trajectory. This attack can traverse obstacles, including Pallets and Windows.

Wolf Form: Played from a third-person perspective, Wolf form specializes in tracking Survivors. Players gain a better view of Scratch Marks and Blood Pools, and any running Survivors will generate visible Scent Orbs which can be collected to quicken the Wolf’s pace and provide direction. Once their prey is within reach, players can strike with a lunging Pounce Attack.

Bat Form: Featuring a faster base movement speed and a third person perspective, Bat Form is a valuable mobility tool. With no Terror Radius and the ability to Teleport to a nearby Vault location, Bat from grants Dracula the stealth of night itself. While players won’t be able to actually see Survivors in this form, scratch marks remain visible, and footsteps become much easier to hear.

Imposing, regal, and without mercy, The Dark Lord wears his disdain for humanity on his elegantly woven sleeve. This is never more apparent than in his Mori which sees him casually slit a victim’s throat with razor-sharp fingernails, before catching the blood in a glass and drinking it down as they die at his feet.

Vampire Killer

No stranger to the supernatural, Survivor Trevor Belmont’s eternal battle with The Dark Lord rages on in The Fog. Here, he’ll be forced to contend with a version of his nemesis in a series of endless Trials, relying on the traits that make him the quintessential Belmont to help his team survive. Trevor Belmont introduces three new Perks to Dead by Daylight.

  • Eyes of Belmont: When a Generator is completed, the Killer’s Aura is briefly revealed. Whenever the Killer’s Aura is revealed, it remains visible for longer.
  • Exultation: When the player Pallet Stuns a Killer while holding an Item, it will upgrade to the next tier (if possible).
  • Moment of Glory: Moment of Glory activates after rummaging through a number of chests. Whenever the player becomes injured, they become Broken instead and will heal 1 Health State after a duration.

Elegant Darkness

With almost four decades of games under its cape, the Castlevania franchise has no shortage of iconic characters and styles. The Castlevania Collection allows players to delve deeper into the lore of this intricate series, embodying key players of the Belmont and Dracula bloodlines and beyond.

Available today, cosmetics for Trevor Belmont include Very Rare Outfits from Leon and Simon Belmont, as well as a Legendary Outfit for Symphony of the Night’s Alucard that offers players an entirely new experience. Also featured are Outfits for The Dark Lord from the classic games Dracula X, and Castlevania Chronicles.

Releasing Sept. 12, a Sypha Belnades-inspired Very Rare Outfit for Mikaela Reid, and a Maria Renard-inspired Very Rare Outfit for Kate Denson will also be added to the Collection.

Dead by Daylight: Castlevania is available now on all supported platforms.

Mouthwashing Release Date Trailer

Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX (Buckshot Roulette) and developer Wrong Organ (How Fish is Made) invite you to join the damned crew of The Tulpar when the sci-fi psychological horror game Mouthwashing launches on Steam on Sept. 26, 2024. The news was revealed in an all-new trailer debuted during IGN’s Gamescom coverage.

When the Pony Express’s interplanetary freighter Tulpar goes off course, its five crew members find themselves stranded with a diminishing supply of resources. As they face the threat of starvation and endure crippling isolation, the crew must fight back paranoia and hallucinations as they come to realize the question is not whether they will survive, but when they will perish… and who will be responsible.

Key Features

  • Inescapable Isolation: Explore claustrophobic corridors as time closes in on you.
  • Immersive Storytelling: Every detail tells a story. A keen eye is key.
  • An Unfolding Narrative: Uncover the truth about your captain, your crew, and your cargo.
  • Descend into Madness: Question everything, trust nothing. Not even your own mind.

Mouthwashing is part of a spine-tingling lineup of indie horror games under the CR Channel publishing label, which CRITICAL REFLEX announced last year. The collection includes Mike Klubnika’s viral hit Buckshot Roulette, free found-footage horror game TELEFORUM, and three upcoming titles: horror-sim Regular Home Renovation Simulator, horror fishing adventure Drowned Lake, and surreal hand-painted adventure Flawless Abbey.

D&D Direct Celebrates the Dungeons and Dragons 2025 Roadmap

THE WORLD’S GREATEST ROLEPLAYING GAME just keeps getting better. During the D&D Direct video presentation on YouTube today, the D&D Studio shared their excitement for all the amazing fantasy storytelling yet to come. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS fans who pre-ordered the digital 2024 Player’s Handbook and have a Master Tier subscription on D&D BEYOND can access the content on September 3rd before it releases everywhere on September 17th.

Fans can also head to their friendly local game store to grab a standard or alternate cover copy of the Player’s Handbook. Many stores are creating events to celebrate the release so fans can join the fun by playing D&D with all the local gamers.

“D&D isn’t just a game – it’s this amazing community that’s all about bringing fantasy and wonder to life, whether that’s in living rooms, backyards, or wherever folks want to play,” said Jess Lanzillo, Head of D&D Product and Franchise. “We’re super excited to be celebrating D&D’s big anniversary with the release of the new Player’s Handbook! Together with the community, we’ve built this new Player’s Handbook with a focus on what makes D&D so cool — bringing people together through the shared experience of adventure.”

Whether they are a veteran or just starting out on their adventure, D&D fans can make a new character using the new Cleric, Fighter, Rogue and Wizard classes with a D&D BEYOND account on September 3rd.

In addition to announcing early access to the Player’s Handbook on D&D BEYOND, the team was also super excited to share what they’re working on for 2025. Here’s a sneak peek:

  • Dragon Anthology (working title) scheduled for Summer 2025
    • Everything you need to know about dragons but were afraid to ask, plus ten short adventures that all feature dragons in dungeons!
  • Updated Starter Set (working title) scheduled for Fall 2025
    • Featuring unique components designed to introduce new players to D&D through an adventure inspired by “Keep on the Borderlands”
  • The Forgotten Realms Player Guide (working title) scheduled for Late 2025
    • New subclasses, feats, backgrounds, factions, and spells from D&D’s most popular setting
  • The Forgotten Realms Adventure Guide (working title) scheduled for Late 2025
    • A toolbox overflowing with lore and locations to inspire DMs to create endless Forgotten Realms campaigns for players to explore

Wizards is also continuing to develop an upcoming immersive 3D sandbox that empowers fans to build their own D&D experience using Unreal Engine 5. The digital miniatures in Project Sigil can be customized to meet each fan’s vision and the magic items their characters collect along their adventures, and crafty DMs can create infinite worlds and levels with easy-to-use tools and assets included in the builder.

“Sigil is designed to add options to the already rich experience the books and D&D BEYOND offer, supporting and extending your favorite ways to play rather than replacing what you love,” said Chris Cao, head of Project Sigil at Wizards. “Whether it’s lush 3D environments, titanic boss fights, or amazing customizations for your minis, Sigil is there to make it easy to connect online with friends, introduce new players to your game, and create your own worlds.”

The Project Sigil closed beta is available at no cost at DnDBeyond.com/project-sigil. All you need is a free or subscription tier D&D BEYOND account!

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed Demo Trailer

The playable demo for Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is live now and can be downloaded on consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) and PC (Steam). Shape your own adventure, full of Disney’s timeless characters and stories, and change the fate of Wasteland in this reimagination of a beloved classic!

Play the demo:
Steam: https://shorturl.at/9WGj5
PS5 SIEE: https://shorturl.at/6kwWF
PS5 SIEA: https://shorturl.at/e0dMR
PS5 SIEJ: https://shorturl.at/6Xatm
Xbox: https://shorturl.at/1GzIu

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on September 24, 2024. Pre-order digitally now and receive a Costume Pack with 3 costumes and 24 hours Early Access FOR FREE (Early Access is only available on consoles and not on PC/Steam).

Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, a faithful remake of the beloved classic adventure, is being developed by Purple Lamp in collaboration with Disney Games and published by THQ Nordic. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is scheduled for release across PS4™, PS5™, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo® Switch and PC on September 24, 2024.

Follow @thqnordic for all Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed news and updates.

FAIRY TAIL 2 – Release Date Trailer

Today, KOEI TECMO America and developer Gust announced that FAIRY TAIL 2, their new action RPG based on the popular franchise FAIRY TAIL, will be released Dec. 13 across the PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, and Nintendo Switch™, and Dec. 11 on Windows PC via Steam®. In celebration, a thrilling new trailer was unveiled, giving fans a glimpse inside the game’s epic action.

The newly unveiled trailer features a first look at the heroic and speedy magic battles Natsu and the team must unleash in order to defeat their greatest enemy, Zeref, the Emperor Spriggan of the Alvarez Empire. Battles have been completely revamped to reflect the exciting action during combat as fans will be given the opportunity to use the full scope of the FAIRY TAIL guild members’ skills to triumph over opponents. Players will need to take advantage of the synergy between different characters to unleash devastating attacks if they are to defeat Zeref and his elite unit of mages known as the Spriggan 12.

In addition to the standard edition which is now available for pre-order, a special edition will also be exclusively available through the NIS America store. The “FAIRY TAIL 2 GUILD BOX” edition includes the base game, the visual artbook “Sorcerer Magazine Special Issue: Game Release Edition Vol.2” inspired by the “Sorcerer Magazine” as seen in the original work, a Special Shikishi with Holographic Finish (three types in total), and more.

Additionally, fans will be able to digitally pre-order the “FAIRY TAIL 2 Digital Deluxe Edition” at a later date which will include additional in-game content such as costumes, characters, scenarios, and various DLC to enhance the game experience! More information will be shared soon.

Everyone who either physically or digitally purchases FAIRY TAIL 2 will also have access to the “Miss FAIRY TAIL Contest” costume for Lucy as an early purchase bonus which will be available to download from the digital storefronts until Dec. 27, 2024.

For more information on FAIRY TAIL 2, 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.

JEOPARDY! Coming to Arcade1Up Infinity Gaming Devices

Arcade1Up, a leader in retro home arcade machines and interactive entertainment, today announced an official license from Sony Pictures Television (SPT) that will bring a new digital adaptation of the iconic quiz show JEOPARDY! to the Infinity Game Table® and Infinity Game Board®, the company’s award-winning line of digital board gaming devices. The new JEOPARDY! game coincides with the show’s 60th birthday celebration, offering fans an immersive digital experience that will make them feel like they are contestants on their favorite quiz show.

Available on Arcade1Up’s Infinity Game Devices, the visually rich and dynamic digital version of JEOPARDY! allows up to three players to go head-to-head and test their knowledge, or a single player can test their skills in a “timed rush mode” to earn the highest score. The streamlined controls to support Infinity Game Devices touch screen and customizable rules make the game more accessible for all ages. Players can easily pause and resume gameplay at any time using the “Quick Save” feature.

“We are excited to work with Sony Pictures Television to bring the classic game show JEOPARDY! to the Infinity Game Table and Infinity Game Board. This adaptation captures the spirit of the TV show and combines it with the unmatched fun of the Infinity Game Devices, allowing fans of all ages to enjoy the experience in their own homes, said Davin Sufer, Chief Technology and Product Officer at Arcade1Up.

As part of JEOPARDY!’s 60th Diamond Celebration, SPT have planned a series of events, special promotions, and campaigns designed to engage fans and highlight the legacy of America’s Favorite Quiz Show™.

Shadow of the Road Announcement Trailer

Publisher Owlcat Games, alongside developer Another Angle Games, are excited to unveil Shadow of the Road, an artful blend of CRPG and turn-based combat set in alternative 19th-century Japan. Shadow of the Road is among the first titles being published by Owlcat Games and embodies the features that the new publishing arm is built on: complex and interesting characters, deep narrative, unique setting, and turn-based combat mechanics. The game will launch on PC via Steam.

In Shadow of the Road, explore the rich tapestry of alternative 19th-century Japan as the Boshin War approaches a bitter and bloody end. Players will immerse themselves in a world that combines tradition and modernity, and Japanese mythology and steampunk technology. Enter the struggle between the Shogun and the Emperor, and delve into captivating narratives, leading a diverse group of adventurers through a dynamic, enchanting realm where decisions shape destiny.

Verne: The Shape Of Fantasy Release Trailer

Assemble Entertainment and Gametopia are excited to reveal that narrative adventure Verne: The Shape of Fantasy is now available on Nintendo Switch. Step into the shoes of Jules Verne and embark on a breathtaking journey through the fantastical world of Hemera, a realm shaped by Verne’s own imagination. With its captivating pixel art, dynamic nonlinear dialogues, and puzzle mechanics, this adventure promises to enchant players as they delve into an epic narrative on the go. Check out the launch trailer below!

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy is a narrative-driven puzzle adventure game set during the year 1888 when a war against the ruthless “Nation” threatens to demolish the land of Hamera. You’ll take on the role of Jules Verne, a famous author who – accompanied by Captain Nemo and their crew – set out to find the Flame of Hephaestus, an ancient artifact said to hold the power to change the course of history. Along the way, you’ll have to be careful as you may just discover unimaginable wonders, mysteries, and dangers.
Set in the year 1888, Verne: The Shape of Fantasy has players navigate a world at the brink of destruction due to a war with the ominous “Nation.” Accompanied by the legendary Captain Nemo and his crew, players must seek out the Flame of Hephaestus, an artifact rumored to possess the power to alter history. The game challenges players to solve puzzles across beautifully detailed environments using the IMAG device, which allows them to rewrite history and influence Verne’s fate. Inspired by classic adventure games, Verne invites players to explore every corner of its atmospheric steampunk world, uncovering hidden secrets and untold stories.

Verne: The Shape of Fantasy is available for Nintendo Switch now for $14.99 with a 20% launch discount and is also available for PC via Steam. Stay up to date by following Assemble Entertainment on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Steam. Join the official Assemble Entertainment Discord server to keep up with the latest news.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Rush Week Teaser Trailer

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre proudly presents their new, FREE, game mode called ‘Rush Week’.

You can watch the teaser trailer below:

‘Rush Week’ is a 1v6 multiplayer mode that focuses on Johnny ‘Pretty Boy’ Slaughter and will be a whole new way to experience The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The Content Pass will go on sale for $19.99 USD in September and features over $45 worth of content.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is available on Playstation®4, Playstation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, as well as Game Pass on Xbox and PC. For more news and community discussion, be sure to check out game’s official subreddit, r/TXChainSawGame, or join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.