Author - Jerry Paxton

Metro 2039: Journey Into the Dark Heart of Post-Apocalyptic Moscow

After a thrilling cinematic and gameplay reveal in collaboration with Xbox, we’re excited to announce METRO 2039, the long-awaited next chapter in the METRO saga from acclaimed storytellers 4A Games. METRO 2039 is coming to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam and Epic this winter.

The official reveal showcases METRO 2039’s handcrafted, story‑driven single‑player FPS campaign, claustrophobic immersive atmosphere and psychological horror. The 15-minute stream featured interviews from 4A Games’ Jon Bloch (Executive Producer), Andriy ‘mLs’ Shevchenko (Creative Director) and Pavel Ulmer (Co-Creative Director & Lead Audio Designer), as well as a stunning six-minute reveal trailer and gameplay tease. The gameplay itself was captured using a mix of gameplay and real-time cinematics, giving fans a glimpse of the series’ haunting environments, stunning visual fidelity and iconic METRO equipment, including the signature weapons and wristwatch during a heart pounding mutant combat encounter.

WATCH THE FULL 15-MINUTE SHOWCASE STREAM HERE:

WATCH THE REVEAL TRAILER HERE: 

THE YEAR IS 2039.

For a quarter century, the last survivors of nuclear war have been locked in bitter conflict deep in the Metro tunnels beneath the poisoned city of Moscow. Now, the underground factions are unified under one banner – the Novoreich, led by a new Fuhrer: the legendary Spartan, Hunter. The Fuhrer promises salvation and a new life for the people on the surface but in reality, communities remain trapped deep within the Metro, flooded by propaganda and misinformation, suffering under his authoritarian regime.

You play as The Stranger, a recluse haunted by violent waking nightmares, forced to undertake a harrowing journey back down to the Metro, a place he swore he would never return to. The Stranger will be a fully voiced lead protagonist, making a notable step towards deeper immersion in METRO’s iconic atmospheric storytelling.

A CLASSIC METRO STORY, TOLD FROM A UKRAINIAN PERSPECTIVE.

4A Games was born in Ukraine, and still remains majority Ukrainian, but now with a team that spans over 25 different nationalities united by a Ukrainian spirit of determination and pride for their projects. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has impacted and directly shaped the development of METRO 2039, with its story shifting to focus acutely on choices, actions, consequences and the cost of securing a future.

While told from a distinctly Ukrainian perspective, METRO 2039 remains an authentically METRO story. Now working primarily from two locations in Kyiv and Malta, the goal remains the same: to create an experience that is unmistakably METRO.

METRO 2039 is developed in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion, and in Malta. 4A Games continues to support its homeland and team members in Ukraine in every possible way. If you wish to contribute, we can recommend the Official Fundraising Platform of Ukraine: United24: https://u24.gov.ua/

Be the first to learn more by registering for updates at METRO2039.com and follow us on X, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube and Bluesky with @MetroVideoGame. To find out more about 4A Games, please visit the official website at www.4a-games.com, follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/4aGames and Twitter www.Twitter.com/4agames.

007 First Light Debuts Cinematic and Stylish Opening Sequence

IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally acclaimed HITMAN franchise, and Amazon MGM Studios revealed today the title sequence of 007 First Light, during the BAFTA Game Awards ceremony held in London, United Kingdom. The title song is performed by multi-platinum selling and award-winning singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, written and composed by Lana Del Rey & David Arnold, marking the return of the composer to the Bond franchise. 007 First Light is set to release on May 27, 2026, featuring a reimagined origin story of James Bond, still inexperienced and sometimes reckless, as he takes his first steps into the world of espionage.

The title sequence follows the Bond franchise’s long-lived tradition of the opening credits showcasing the game’s motifs and identity. The title sequence and title song of 007 First Light set the tone for Bond’s reimagined origin story with a modern yet classic flair. Built around striking visuals and a rich cinematic atmosphere, it brings together the main themes of James Bond’s journey in the game, as he enters the world of espionage. Anchored by Lana Del Rey and David Arnold’s powerful title song, the sequence embraces the franchise’s legacy while bringing its own identity, honoring James Bond’s return to gaming after more than 13 years.

Alongside the title sequence and title song, IO Interactive also released the fourth episode of Beyond the Light, focusing this new entry on the game’s soundtrack. This new episode includes interviews with Dominic Vega, Missions and Audio Director on 007 First Light, and The Flight, the composer duo behind the score of 007 First Light. In those interviews, the different speakers dive into the unique opportunity of working on the Bond franchise and share how they came up with the music that has been created for 007’s new era in gaming.

007 First Light is scheduled to launch on May 27, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and Summer 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-order now* and get a free deluxe upgrade, including a 24-hour early access**. All details can be found at https://ioi.dk/007firstlightgame.

Paradox Launches New Expansion Pass for Crusader Kings III

This year, Crusader Kings III will add new threads to the rich medieval tapestry players can weave. Today’s launch of Chapter V reveals the upcoming plans for Paradox Interactive’s celebrated grand-strategy role-playing game, including two expansions that highlight major new playstyle options and greater depth and historical flavor as well as a music pack and cosmetic pack that are available today.

Today, Crusader Kings III is also getting a major free update, adding new ways to find information about your game, with an improved ledger and other stat tracking, as well as more shortcuts, changes to the interface, new sound cues and more.

The two upcoming expansions, By God Alone and Silk & Silver, focus on aspects of the medieval world that the wider Crusader Kings community has wanted to see explored in more depth. By God Alone deepens the religious themes of the game, with more attention to the evolution of Christianity in Europe and how medieval secular rulers competed with the religious orders for power and wealth. Silk & Silver opens up merchant republics for play, letting you take the position of a medieval merchant rising to power through shrewd trading, political office, or noble patronage.

Crusader Kings III: Chapter V is available now, and it includes:

  • Symbols of Authority: This clothing pack offers new crowns and headwear for European characters, including crowns inspired by some of the most glamorous heads of history. Available today, this pack is instantly unlocked upon purchase of Chapter V.
  • Songs of the Realm: Out now, this new Crusader Kings III Music Pack offers a wide variety of musical accompaniment to your empire-building and dynastic scheming. Songs of the Realm offers thirteen songs, a mix between remasters of Crusader Kings classics and adaptations of traditional European music. This Music Pack is the perfect soundtrack to while away the hours as you plot your next big move to secure your family’s hold on destiny.
  • By God Alone: This Core Expansion for Crusader Kings III focuses on the religious life of your characters, with a special emphasis on new systems for Christian characters. Guide your dynasty through religious developments as the tenets of the faith evolve over the centuries, avoid or embrace heresies, navigate Schisms and Synods and watch your characters struggle with the demands of their religion. Coming later this year.
  • Silk & Silver: This Major Expansion for Crusader Kings III focuses on medieval trade and the merchant families that ruled or financed great empires. Play as a merchant family with a mansion to maintain, earning gold through the trade of exotic goods. Compete for power in a merchant republic, where gold is more important than blood, or set up shop in a landed kingdom and finance its expansion. Push rival families out of the most valuable markets, establishing monopolies on important routes. Coming later this year.

Crusader Kings III: Chapter V is available now for the suggested retail price of $43.99/ £36.99/€43.99.

PRAGMATA Surpasses One Million Units Sold in Two Days

Capcom Co., Ltd. (Capcom) today announced that worldwide sales of PRAGMATA™, the company’s all-new IP released on April 17, 2026*, have surpassed one million units.

PRAGMATA is a science-fiction action-adventure game that depicts the journey of Hugh Williams and Diana, an android girl, in a near-future lunar world. A completely new IP, PRAGMATA was developed primarily by a team of younger Capcom developers, who created an innovative gameplay experience by fusing action gameplay with puzzle elements set within a distinctive world ruled over by artificial intelligence.

In the absence of an established fan base or pre-existing brand recognition, Capcom implemented a range of marketing initiatives — beginning with the early release of a playable demo — to communicate the unique features of the game to a wider audience. In addition, in line with the company’s multi-platform strategy, Capcom broadened the title’s availability by adding support for Nintendo Switch™ 2 at an early stage. As a result, these initiatives generated significant momentum, enabling PRAGMATA to achieve worldwide sales of over one million units in just two days despite being a completely new IP, marking a strong start for the title.

Capcom remains firmly committed to satisfying the expectations of all users by leveraging its industry leading game development capabilities in order to create highly entertaining gameplay experiences.

*The release date of the Nintendo Switch 2 version in Japan and other parts of Asia is April 24.

PRAGMATA Development Team Comment:

“As a completely new IP, PRAGMATA represents a new challenge for Capcom, built from the ground up with an original world and gameplay concept. We are truly delighted that so many players around the world have enjoyed the game, enabling us to reach this milestone of one million units sold. Moving forward, we will continue making every effort to deliver the appeal of PRAGMATA to an even broader audience.”

PRAGMATA Product Details:

  • Genre: Sci-Fi Action-Adventure
  • Platforms: PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam (PC)
  • Release Date: April 17, 2026*

Rig R5 Spear Pro-series Gaming Headsets Launch in North America

NACON, a leader in premium gaming accessories and parent company of the RIG audio brand, today announced the U.S. availability of its latest additions to the R5 SPEAR PRO Series: the RIG R5 PRO HX, RIG R5 PRO HC, and a white edition of the critically acclaimed RIG R5 PRO HS.

Officially licensed for Xbox, the R5 PRO HX includes a one-year Dolby Atmos for Headphones subscription, elevating in-game performance with precise 3D audio rendering to help players pinpoint incoming threats.

Each headset in the R5 PRO Series has been custom-tuned specifically for first-person shooters and harnesses the power of 40mm graphene drivers. The R5 PRO’s driver diaphragm is coated with a graphene layer, making it exceptionally lightweight while also extremely rigid, minimizing audio distortion and delivering crisp, detailed sound. For gamers, this provides superior audio reproduction and the ability to easily pinpoint in-game threats with unmatched accuracy.

The R5 PRO Series also introduces RIG’s new SNAP+LOCK mod system, allowing gamers to personalize their headset with interchangeable magnetic Mod-Plates and ear cushions. Exclusive ‘Audio Above All Edition’ Mod-Plates – inspired by RIG’s signature tagline – are available for purchase through Shop Nacon. Gamers can also purchase blank Mod-Plates from Shop Nacon, to take customization even further.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The RIG R5 SPEAR PRO is available today for a suggested retail price of $69.99 USD at Amazon and Shop NACON.

RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HS / Black
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HS / White
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HX
RIG R5 SPEAR PRO HC

Additional RIG R5 SPEAR PRO models will be available at GameStop and Walmart in the coming months, with an SRP of $69.99 USD.

RIG R5 SPEAR Features:

  •         R5 PRO HX officially licensed by Xbox for Xbox Series X|S consoles
  •         R5 PRO HS officially licensed by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 consoles
  •         40mm graphene drivers
  •         1-year Dolby Atmos for Headphones subscription included with HX and HC models
  •         6mm flexible flip-to-mute microphone
  •         Inline volume control slider with max lock
  •         Magnetic SNAP+LOCK Mod-Plates* and ear cushions
  •         Memory foam ear cushions and headband cushion
  •         Flexible exterior headband
  •         Adjustable fold-flat earcups
  •         1.5m cable with 3.5mm connector

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu IMAX Trailer

Marking a historic milestone for the franchise, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is the first Star Wars film to be part of the Filmed For IMAX® program. As part of the program, Favreau collaborated closely with IMAX, from early demos and camera tests at its LA headquarters to using virtual reality to review IMAX footage both during shooting and in post-production, fully leveraging IMAX’s technology throughout the process.

Shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras, the film features 53-minutes of IMAX’s exclusive 1.90:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio, filling the spectacular IMAX screen from floor to ceiling and providing IMAX audiences more picture than anywhere else. Select IMAX with Laser theatres will present these scenes in IMAX’s towering 1.43:1 aspect ratio, delivering the largest image area possible for audiences.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu was enhanced frame by frame with IMAX’s proprietary Digital Media Remastering (DMR) technology delivering exceptional brightness, clarity, and contrast. The film also features a custom sound mix optimized specifically for IMAX theatres, placing audiences inside the action with unparalleled precision and power.

City Transport Simulator 2026 Out Now

Austrian developer studio ViewApp and NPLAY Games today announce the release of City Transport Simulator 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. With the new installment of the transport simulation series, one feature takes center stage: a fully dynamic weather system that fundamentally changes day-to-day operations in public transport.

The previous title already focused on delivering an authentic route operation experience. With City Transport Simulator 2026, this approach is further expanded through environmental influences that directly impact gameplay. Weather conditions change dynamically throughout the day, ranging from sunny intervals to rain, fog, snowfall, and thunderstorms.

These changes are not only visual but also affect driving behavior and overall atmosphere. Rain reduces visibility, snow alters the perception of the route, and varying lighting conditions ensure that each journey feels noticeably different.

The weather system is complemented by seasonal changes that visibly transform the city over time. Vegetation, lighting, and the overall environment adapt accordingly, adding further variety to daily operations.

Beyond weather and atmosphere, the game has been expanded in many additional areas. Reworked passenger interactions, optimized ticketing processes, and improvements to the user interface contribute to a more accessible yet deeper gameplay experience. Traffic systems and pedestrian behavior have also been enhanced to create a more believable urban environment.

As previously announced, City Transport Simulator 2026 is available as a free upgrade for owners of the previous title. Existing content carries over seamlessly into the new version.

Another key focus was the comprehensive overhaul of all vehicles in the game. In addition to new, detailed sound design, a range of functional features has been introduced, including air conditioning, opening windows, and windshield wipers, further enhancing realism in everyday operations.

In parallel with the release, a Season Pass is available, granting access to all content planned for 2026, including new vehicles and additional maps such as the first real-world city, Vienna.

With City Transport Simulator 2026, ViewApp and NPLAY Games continue to evolve the series, focusing on a dynamic and constantly changing public transport experience.

Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron Announced

Nestled in the heart of Europe, Czechoslovakia is a democratic bulwark, surrounded by autocratic neighbors. Rich in resources, industry and population, it is also an early target for aggression. Chart a new course for Czechoslovakia in the face of these threats in Peace for Our Time, a new Focus Pack for Hearts of Iron IV, Paradox Interactive’s grand strategic wargame about the conflict and politics of the Second World War.

Created in collaboration with veteran modders Logan ‘Spicy Alfredo’ Calkins, Abbus Fung and Marijn ‘marijn211’ Vroegh, Peace for Our Time is the first Focus Pack to include new National Focus Trees and unique mechanics, presenting a new challenge to experienced desktop generals. It will be released next week, on 22 April.

Highlights of the Focus Pack Peace for Our Time include:

  • Democratic National Focus Path: Surrounded by non-democratic nations, safeguard Czechoslovakia’s freedom by forging your own faction, leading a government in exile or pursuing independence as Slovakia.
  • Communist National Focus Path: Spark a socialist revolution to replace the failed middle path, joining the Comintern or uniting the region under your own federation; whether through radical struggle or moderate reform.
  • Monarchist and Fascist National Focus Paths: Rally nationalist forces to establish a new kingdom of Bohemia or embrace military dictatorship, expand your influence through allies or subjects, and decide whether to entrench authoritarianism or return to democracy once the crisis has passed.
  • Manage your arms industry, become an industrial powerhouse, and shape conflicts across the globe by exporting weapons abroad.
  • Engage with the Divided Nation mechanic to solve the challenges of governing a divided democracy.
  • Army Readiness Balance of Power forces you to ensure you have the support of the military.
  • New Art and Music, including two new music tracks, 3D depictions of the historical Prague Castle and Bojnice Castle, new equipment graphics and new focus icons and character portraits.

The Hearts of Iron IV: Peace for Our Time Focus Pack will be available on 22 April 2026 for the suggested retail price of $5.99 / £4.99 /€5.99 .

Windrose: Early Access Release Trailer

The scallywags of Kraken Express (formerly known as Windrose Crew) are thrilled to launch Windrose, the highly anticipated co-op pirate survival-adventure game, into Early Access today on Steam, the Epic Games Store and Stove. Players can grab the base game for $29.99, or purchase the Supporter Bundle, featuring the base game, a wallpaper collection and the official game soundtrack (including in-game ambient music, trailer tracks and a hearty selection of sea shanties recorded by Seán Dagher), for $39.99. A 10% launch discount is available for one week for either edition of the game. Currently the 6th Most Wishlisted game on Steam, Windrose lets you become the pirate of your dreams, sailing the open seas as a captain on the quest for revenge, alone or in a crew of up to four* players.

Explore three diverse biomes with quests to complete, enemies to fight in souls-lite-inspired combat, and handcrafted points of interest to discover in a procedurally generated world. Take down epic bosses with an armory of unique weapons, including sabers, maces, muskets and more. Improve your reputation with various factions, trade, farm, fish and build a pirate haven of your own – and command your own vessel in thrilling naval battles with boarding actions. The high seas are yours for the taking!

After a breakout Steam Next Fest demo that saw nearly 900,000 players begin their adventures, the Early Access launch of Windrose provides dozens of hours of content and fan-requested features from the demo! Create the perfect pirate playstyle with an array of skills, talents and gear, and experience seamless land-to-ship gameplay with a focus on exploration, base building and combat. Sail the open seas with three totally new vessels, and one of the most-requested features from the demo: co-op ship controls, where a crew can share control of a vessel’s weaponry, teaming up to take down the enemy.

Key Features

  • A Pirate Tale for the Ages: Welcome to the Age of Piracy! You are a captain who dares to challenge the legendary Blackbeard. What starts as a grounded story of survival and revenge will put you in the middle of a conflict between empires, pirate clans and mysterious dark powers looming on the horizon.
  • Conquer the High Seas: Move seamlessly between ship and shore as you adventure. Naval combat is shaped by your decisions, whether you’re trading cannon fire at range or closing in for fierce boarding actions. Equip and customize your ship to suit your playstyle, from nimble ketch to versatile brig and colossal frigate. When the cannons go silent, claim your spoils and share a shanty with your crew as you sail onward.
  • Survival Perfected: Explore a variety of vibrant biomes, gather resources, and build your base, from simple shelters to elaborate forts and mansions. Recruit NPCs and grow your settlement to speed up harvesting and production. Venture into the uncharted lands, featuring nearly 100 handcrafted points of interest (dungeons, ancient temples, shipwrecks, abandoned camps and more) containing a wide variety of secrets and treasures, though such rewards rarely come without risk.
  • Become a Legendary Swashbuckler: Hack, slash, bash and shoot your way to glory! Master a vast arsenal of melee weapons and firearms, parry and dodge enemy attacks, and make good use of different strikes to gain the upper hand. Put your skills to the test against challenging bosses and plunder their treasures!

Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor Egg Hunt Game Type Announced

Today, Ghost Ship Publishing and developer Funday Games revealed that a new mission type featuring a powerful boss is coming to Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor as part of the upcoming Heavy Duty expansion DLC, launching April 30th on Steam.

Introducing Egg Hunt, a new objective-driven mission where Deep Rock Galactic’s hard-working dwarves are once again being put to the test, tasked with tracking down and retrieving Alien Eggs buried deep within the mines of Hoxxes IV, for research, of course.

A fan-favourite staple of the original Deep Rock Galactic, Egg Hunt makes its debut in Survivor with some adjustments. Across a three-stage mission, miners will need to recover Alien Eggs and call in Bosco to deliver them back to the cargo pod before facing a final multi-phase standoff as a giant Brood Nexus emerges at the drop point. Miners are warned that as the powerful boss reaches critical health levels, it will grow a swarm of Nexus Sprouts to guard their fierce leader.

The reveal comes as part of the recently announced Heavy Duty expansion, which introduces the high-speed Demolisher class, a range of powerful new weapons designed to boost mining efficiency and more. With Heavy Duty launching later this month, there are a couple more reveals still to come before miners are cleared for deployment – follow Funday Games’ latest updates here for more information.