Author - Jerry Paxton

Merry Christmas 2024

‘Tis the season to spread cheer and express our gratitude! From all of us here at GamingShogun.com, we want to wish you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones. Thank you for being a part of our online community and for your continued support throughout the year. Your readership inspires us to keep creating content that informs, entertains, and connects us all. As you gather around the twinkling lights and enjoy the festive spirit, we hope you feel the joy and magic that this special time of year brings.

 

Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year from your friends at GamingShogun.com!

Virtual Social Performance App StageTime Gets Announcement Trailer

StageTime, the virtual social app for connecting and sharing the joy of performing, makes its grand debut on the virtual Meta Quest stage on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

Hop into a lively cyberspace primed for singalongs, social interactions, and epic performances envisioned by an ex-software engineer from a top social VR platform, and creator of the leading VR karaoke space. Create memories and lasting connections in this immersive, virtual venue. Invite up to 10 friends into a bustling performance room and put on a rockin’ gig, funny standup act, or a heartfelt poetry recital.

Aspiring entertainers can quickly and easily get the party started. StageTime offers a zero friction process, placing players in public rooms without the need to set up an account, eliminating pesky barriers and allowing partygoers to immediately dive into the festivities. This seamless integration is one of many key features that sets StageTime apart from other social apps in the VR space. Customize an avatar fit for a superstar with multiple options for hair colors and styles, skin tones, accessories, and more.

Stage all-out performances, complete with full-body avatar representation. Vocal animations sync to each person’s voice, creating a seamless and captivating experience. Every twirl, tap, and move is rendered in VR. Take the spotlight for all to see, or sit back, enjoy others’ performances, and cheer them on along the way!

Using YouTube connectivity, StageTime allows users to sync their favorite videos to share with others in real time. Become the life of the party and pick any video to share with friends. StageTime allows seamless sync for each user, so there are no pesky delays or lag to drag down the party. The in-game LIV creator kit also offers a camera for recording and selfie options in first, third, and landscape perspectives.

“My goal is to present StageTime as a new way to connect with people through shared experiences in a live, virtual setting,” said Hamza Qureshi, Founder of Virtuware. “By blending performance and connection, StageTime invites people everywhere to celebrate creativity, share their talent, and forge meaningful moments together.”

The party continues following StageTime’s launch, as Virtuware’s vision is to continue providing support in the long-term. Fans of the social platform can look forward to a robust content roadmap, with plans to integrate new venues and environments, additional customization options for stellar avatar designs, and monetization with the ability to purchase avatar emotes, cosmetics, and more.

StageTime launches for free worldwide on the Meta store on Thursday, January 16, 2025. For more information on the game, please visit the official website, follow StageTime on TikTok, and join the community Discord.

Kill it With Fire 2’s Cybercore Update

Kill It With Fire 2, the sci-fi-inspired sequel to the first-person spider-hunter from developer Casey Donnellan Games and publisher tinyBuild, warps into cyberspace to face off against new spider-kind in the “Cybercore” update, available now on PC via Steam.

Cross into an all-new dimensional level filled with the craftiest creepy crawlies lurking in every nook and cranny. This latest update brings spider-slaying vets into “Cybercore,” a once-human space fleet training program turned spider-infested playground. Leap through platforming puzzles with the help of jump packs, and obtain tokens to play a variety of minigames to earn tickets and win fabulous prizes.

The cyberspace comes loaded with two new spider types for players to exterminate. The minigame spiders net exterminators various ticket quantities depending on their color. Meanwhile, glitch spiders duplicate into smaller, speedier variants every time they get squashed but offer far more tickets upon each kill.

Cybercore introduces a host of new weapons, and exterminators should feast their eyes on the Decompiler. This shiny, spidey-killing machine breaks down spiders and objects into teeny, tiny bits. Switch the weapon into compiler mode to craft the collected bits into ammo, exploding barrels, and even a creepy crawler of your own.

Drones return from the original Kill It With Fire, now able to unleash bullet-hell on those arachnid freaks. Put those robot driving skills to the test with the new drone racing minigames. Return to past levels to race against time, and improve previous records.

Get a taste of Chaos Theory with the innovative butterfly effect. Encounter and catch butterflies to shoot them out as they seek out and gobble up spiders. Cosmetic additions allow exterminators to swap their suits in different colors. Soak in this lively new pocket realm, brimming with tons to do and plenty of spiders to kill.

Kill It With Fire 2 is available now on PC via Steam Early Access for USD 14.99. Spider-hunters around the globe can play with English, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese language support.

To stay up to date with the latest updates, visit Kill It With Fire’s official website and follow @tinyBuild and @KIWF_Game on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Mirthwood’s Night Of Falling Stars Update Brings Masquerade Party

Mirthwood, the medieval fantasy sim-life RPG from developer Bad Ridge Games and publisher V Publishing, launched last month on PC via Steam, and since then, the team has been hard at work on new content. Ahead of the holiday season, Bad Ridge Games has released the new “Night of Falling Stars” update that brings a mystery for players to solve during the magnificent masquerade that is the Starlight Ball. This update also includes new questlines, expands the current map, and introduces a myriad of new mechanics, cosmetics, and more, like additional crops and recipes, helmet transmog, and reworked combat. Alongside this update, the team is excited to unveil its roadmap for Mirthwood throughout 2025 – check it out below!

During the Night of Falling Stars, the nobility of Turien have gathered to celebrate their opulence and throw a masquerade party for the ages – the Starlight Ball. Something’s amiss, though, because your invitation has arrived with seemingly no strings attached, yet your host appears to have some… ulterior motives. It’s up to you to unravel the complicated intricacies of the night’s attendees and solve the mysteries that unfold under the stars.

That’s not all that awaits Mirthwood players in the “Night of Falling Stars” update, however. Indulge your inner horticulturalist with new crops to plant and manage alongside new delicious recipes to cook, from farm to table. The addition of tea and beekeeping adds a perfect dose of coziness to your homestead experience. Plus, the highly requested fish creel is finally here as part of this update.

Dress for success with new couture items, including clothing, hats, and hairstyles that make their way into players’ wardrobes as part of today’s “Night of Falling Stars” update. The new Magic Mirror allows players to change their appearance. Plus, a new helmet vanity slot option allows players to showcase stylish headpieces while maintaining the defensive values of their base helmets – in other words, Mirthwood now features helmet transmog!

As it’s December, the team wanted to include something to celebrate the season. As part of today’s update, and every winter season moving forward, players can take part in a Yuletide celebration in Mirthwood that includes Yuletide-themed decor, clothing, and of course, food.

Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection Launch Date Trailer

The wait is finally over! Grimorio of Games is thrilled to announce that Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection, the 3D remake of the cult ARPG, will launch on January 23, 2025.

Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, this reimagined version of the beloved original promises an exciting blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection brings the classic story of love, loss, and redemption into a new dimension. With fully revamped 3D graphics inspired by the sixth generation of consoles, a dynamic and fluid combat system, and the ability to program your summoned creatures with the innovative “Tactics” system, players will experience the world of Sword of the Necromancer like never before.

“We’ve taken everything fans loved about the original game and pushed it to the next level,” said the Grimorio of Games development team. “From the art style to the gameplay mechanics, this is a fresh yet familiar experience that will appeal to both returning players and newcomers alike.”

What’s New in Resurrection?
• A new dimension: 3D graphics inspired by sixth-generation console classics and brought to life with modern flair.
• A reimagined combat system: Fast-paced, strategic battles with dodges, combos, and fluid animations.
• Tactics system for summoned creatures: Customize the behaviour of your resurrected allies to guard, attack, or prioritize key targets.
• Local co-op mode: Team up with a friend for even more exciting dungeon-crawling adventures.
• Infinite replayability: With a combination of procedurally generated dungeons and handcrafted levels, every playthrough offers a unique experience. Discover new enemies, allies, and secrets with each run. Take on Roguelite Mode to truly test your skills!
A Tale of Love and Redemption
Follow Tama, a former bandit turned bodyguard, on her journey to bring her beloved Koko back to life. Using the forbidden power of the Sword of the Necromancer, Tama must descend into a dangerous dungeon filled with enemies, secrets, and hard choices.

This remake not only revisits the original’s heartfelt narrative but also adds new cinematics and expanded lore, deepening the connection to its characters and world.

Ready to Begin Your Adventure?
Mark your calendars for January 23, 2025, and add Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection to your wishlist today. The crypt of the Necromancer awaits!

Empire of The Ants 2025 Roadmap Revealed

As the adventure of Empire of The Ants continues to captivate players worldwide, Microids and Tower Five are excited to unveil their ambitious vision for the upcoming year.

This seasonal roadmap highlights key milestones, with numerous updates planned to enhance your experience in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Expect new content, optimizations, and surprises that will make The Ants even more engaging.

New features and innovative content, along with community-driven optimizations, are in store. Join us on this journey and see how 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for Empire of The Ants.

An immersive solo campaign

Play through a 20-hour-long campaign inspired by Bernard Werber’s bestselling saga, where the fate of your colony rests upon your antennae.

Choose your way to play, whether you’re looking for strategic combat and challenges or you prefer exploring the environment and fast-paced tactical missions.

Dominate the online ranked multiplayer

Challenge your friends in thrilling skirmishes or prove your strategy skills in player-versus-player mode: ranked 1-vs.-1 matchmaking and three free-for-all matches. Custom Private Lobby available to train your skills against a friend or AI. The multiplayer mode is cross-platform compatible, allowing players on all consoles to play together.

A Rogue Predator Hunts Spider-man in Predator vs. Spider-man

In Predator vs. Wolverine, readers saw a single Predator stalk Earth’s greatest prey, the killing machine Wolverine. In Predator vs. Black Panther, Yautja invaded Wakanda and nearly dethroned its king. This April, writer Benjamin Percy turns his twisted brain to Marvel’s most beloved icon alongside superstar artist Marcelo Ferreira in PREDATOR VS. SPIDER-MAN!

Revealed last month, PREDATOR VS. SPIDER-MAN is the latest four-issue epic pitting pop culture’s bloodiest hunter against Marvel super heroes. The series will debut a new Predator named “Skinner” whose brutal ways guarantee this will be one of the most visceral battles in Spider-Man history…

TARGET: SPIDER-MAN IN PREDATOR’S GRITTIEST SERIES YET!

A heat wave sends NYC into a blackout and Spider-Man on patrol as tempers boil across the city. But beneath its grimy sewers and subways lurks a threat unlike anything Peter Parker has faced before. Introducing “Skinner,” a Predator of no honor and no clan – only a thirst for blood.

“Spider-Man is at the top of every writer’s wishlist. I’m thrilled and grateful to get this opportunity, putting this beloved webslinger against the galaxy’s greatest hunters in the urban wilderness of New York,” Percy said. “It’s so much fun to live in Peter Parker’s world — and to put my own wild spin on his relationship with MJ, Jonah Jameson, and (yes — oh, hell yes) Kraven. Marcelo Ferreira captures the visual dynamism of Spidey so well, and we’ve had a lot of fun designing a Predator that is unlike any other. This Yautja — who we’re calling Skinner — has no code or clan. He’s the perfect nightmarish foil to the big-hearted Parker.”

Witness the terror that awaits Spidey in Paulo Siqueira’s main cover along with a variant cover by Ryan Brown and preorder PREDATOR VS. SPIDER-MAN #1 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic for Switch is Getting a Physical Release

Today, Atari is delighted to announce that RollerCoaster Tycoon® Classic will get a global, Nintendo Switch physical release on April 25, 2025. The perennial park sim favorite quickly climbed into the top 15 digital games on the Nintendo eShop following its release on December 5. Now fans and collectors of the 25 year-old franchise can bring a physical copy home as well.

RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic combines the best features from two of the original games in the series: RollerCoaster Tycoon® and RollerCoaster Tycoon® 2. Packed with content, players have enjoyed designing and building roller coasters and rides, landscaping and managing their parks since the first game was first introduced in 1999.

“The new Nintendo Switch version of RollerCoaster Tycoon Classic deserves a physical release and I am glad our team could make it happen,” said Ethan Stearns, VP of Games Publishing at Atari. “The RollerCoaster Tycoon franchise just keeps getting stronger and stronger, and fans can only expect more in the coming year.”

Lost Eidolons: Veil of The Witch Celebrates the Festive Season with Discount

Following a successful Early Access launch, spinoff of the beloved Lost Eidolons, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch is heading into the holiday season with a bang. From today, there will be a 20% discount throughout the Steam Winter Sale, lasting until January 2, 2025. Players can even check out over half of the island for themselves completely for free with an action-packed demo!

By masterfully weaving roguelite elements, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch brings a refreshing new take to the world of CRPGs. A game where choices truly shape each run, both narratively and across hundreds of gameplay options, as players try to solve the mysteries of the island they’ve awoken to.

With memorable companions and a unique story to tell, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch will be perfect for fans of Baldur’s Gate 3, Fire Emblem and other epic narratives who are looking for something with a twist. Better still, there’s never been a better time to test the waters with this genre-blend thanks to its new action-packed demo and seasonal savings.

What’s more, the masterful minds behind the game have now also unveiled a roadmap, featuring a series of exciting new updates to pave the way to Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch’s official release. From community-driven improvements, a new accessories system and additional boss map variants for each act, there’s plenty of new content — and challenges — coming in 2025 to keep players on their toes in their fight for survival.

With over 300 reviews since launch and a ‘Very Positive’ rating on Steam, Lost Eidolons: Veil of the Witch is shaping up to be a not-so hidden gem of the RPG genre. As one reviewer states: “I feel confident enough to recommend it already to anyone with an interest in tactical rpgs, meta progression, and/or the slay the spire formula with relics, room choices, three act maps, etc. This game combines them all into one hell of a good time.”

So get ready to slay enemies, uncover long-forgotten secrets and try to see through the veil today!

Truck Driver: The American Dream Patch #18 Out Now

SOEDESCO® is wrapping up the year with the exciting release of Truck Driver®: The American Dream Patch #18. This massive update, which just rolled out on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S, introduces a wide range of new features, optimizations, and fixes to enhance the overall trucking experience. Players can enjoy improved steering wheel compatibility, a new type of Freedom to Roam missions, and several platform-specific upgrades.

PlayStation®5 Updates & PlayStation®5 Pro Support

On PlayStation 5, Truck Driver®: The American Dream Patch #18 delivers additional optimization, including improved frame rates for a more fluid driving adventure. Adding to the excitement, Truck Driver®: The American Dream Enhanced Edition for PlayStation®5 Pro is now available. This upgraded version harnesses the PS5™ Pro’s advanced hardware, featuring sharper visuals, improved graphics, and smoother gameplay.

Xbox Series X|S Performance Updates

Players on Xbox Series X|S can expect a significant boost in performance and visual fidelity with Patch #18. This update implements crisper textures, vibrant environments, and updated overall lighting, making every long haul feel more immersive than ever.

More details about Truck Driver®: The American Dream Patch #18 can be found on SOEDESCO®’s official website.