Video

Wolcen Studio Unveils Upcoming ARPG Project Pantheon

Wolcen Studio is shaking up the ARPG genre with a new release. Codenamed Project Pantheon, it is the first-of-its-kind: an ExtrAction RPG that offers a blend of intense Hack n’ Slash action and high-stakes extraction gameplay in a dark fantasy world filled with fantastical reimaginings of historical mythologies. The studio has released the first of three teaser trailers and has confirmed a Closed Alpha Test for European players on January 25-26, 2025, and February 1-2, 2025 for players in North America – all who will have a chance to experience an early build of the new flagship title hands-on.

Project Pantheon is a free-to-play live service game that will take players on a journey into a strange afterlife, where they are tasked by Death itself to aid in restoring order to a shattered reality. Players explore diverse maps, battling enemies in dynamic PvPvE combat. Successful extractions will see players haul back valuable loot, while failure may result in losing their gear for good. In their hidden fortress, players will be upgrading their base, customizing loadouts and experimenting with gear to find their optimal playstyle. An open market will foster a player-driven economy that is going to allow players to trade and support each other.

First Closed Alpha Test

Closed Alpha 1 serves as a primarily technical evaluation, focused on validating the stability and performance of Project Pantheon’s backend systems, server infrastructure and community channels. This phase is critical for ensuring a smooth reliable experience throughout Alpha testing and will heavily depend on player feedback to fix any issues.

While servers for this first Closed Alpha test will be located in Europe and North America, Wolcen Studio will announce dates for additional Closed Alpha tests with servers in further territories in the coming weeks. To stay in the loop, players can join Wolcen Studio’s Discord and follow profiles on X, Facebook and YouTube.

Fusing High-Stakes Extraction Gameplay with Action RPG

“Project Pantheon delivers a unique experience by merging the fast-paced combat of ARPGs with the tension and risk-reward gameplay mechanics of extraction shooters,” said Andrei Chirculete, Game Director of Project Pantheon at Wolcen Studio. “Project Pantheon is what would happen if Diablo and Escape From Tarkov had a baby–a fusion of different, exciting gameplays. We are eager to see how our players react!”

A World Rooted in Mythology and Shaped by Players

Project Pantheon’s post-apocalyptic dark fantasy universe draws inspiration from a vast and diverse array of traditional tales and cultures from around the world, immersing players in rich mythology-driven narratives. The journey begins with an exploration of a fantastical reinterpretation of Nordic mythology – The Realm of Fate.

While the game has been in development for more than a year and is currently in the early alpha stage of development, Wolcen Studio aims to give players a voice in driving essential game updates to help shape the world’s future as development progresses.

To Wishlist Project Pantheon, players can do so here.

The Stone of Madness Special Edition and Pre-Orders Announced

Tripwire Presents, the publishing division of Tripwire Interactive that focuses on releasing great games from other independent studios, today revealed the Special Edition and opened digital pre-purchase for The Stone of Madness, launching Jan. 28, 2025 on Windows PC via Steam (officially Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store and GOG, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S, with pre-purchase on the Nintendo Switch™ system beginning soon. Developed by The Game Kitchen, acclaimed developers of Blasphemous and Blasphemous 2, The Stone of Madness is currently available for pre-purchase for a MSRP of $29.99 for the Standard edition and $34.99 for the Special edition, which includes a digital copy of the game, digital artbook with over 60 pages of gorgeous art, and the digital official soundtrack (OST) featuring 24 songs including title song ‘La Piedra de la Locura’ available to listen to now on YouTube. All digital pre-purchases will be discounted at 10% off their standard pricing, ending on Jan. 28. Eager fans on PC can download the demo available through Steam, taking players through the multi-hour prologue experience.

Players can learn more about strengths, weaknesses, and phobias of the five uniquely flawed playable prisoners in the latest series of character vignettes released by Tripwire Presents. From young Amelia the rogue, using her small size and quick hands to sneak into forbidden areas and pilfer goods whilst avoiding the horrors of a child’s overactive imagination, to Eduardo the oversized craftsman, silently using his immense strength to overcome obstacles and avoiding dark and dimly lit areas that haunt him, each of the prisoners will work together to overcome their fears and escape…hopefully with their sanity still in tact. All five videos can be viewed via this YouTube Playlist.

The Stone of Madness is a tactical stealth adventure game set in a Spanish madhouse in the late 18th century, presented with gorgeous hand-crafted, period-inspired artwork. Located in the Pyrenees, a timeworn Jesuit monastery is home both to a madhouse and an inquisitorial prison; five mysterious characters have been imprisoned between its walls under different pretenses. Plagued by cruel punishment, madness, and despair, they will soon devise a plan to escape this place and its evil inhabitants, relying on each other to face their deepest fears.

The Stone of Madness key features include:

  • Escape the Monastery: Control all five characters independently to aid in their escape, taking care to preserve each member’s sanity as much as possible. As they explore the corridors and rooms of the monastery they may discover useful tools or clues to aid their escape. They must avoid detection at all times, the Inquisition is not known for their mercy.
  • Manage the Madness: Each character carries their own unique traumas and phobias contributing to their own respective madness. Managing their mental health will be crucial to their escape, using a system of character progression and regression. Failing to maintain a character’s sanity can trigger new negative traits including paranoia, dementia, or bouts of violence.
  • Discover the Secrets Within: Choose between two different escape plans, with each campaign featuring unique stories, objectives, and surprises. These plans will play out through a day and night cycle separating daytime actions and nighttime preparations, giving the prisoners time to rest and recover. Most actions will be best performed during daytime, even with the Inquisition’s presence, however the darkness of night offers unique opportunities, and risks. There is a reason most inmates rarely venture out after dark.
  • Experience Stunning, Hand-painted Art Style: The visuals in The Stone of Madness have been lovingly hand-painted and animated, drawing heavy inspiration from 18th-century artist Francisco De Goya. An isometric perspective allows players to explore scenes and observe minute details as if they’re adventuring through a Goya painting brought to life.

Developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Tripwire Presents, The Stone of Madness will launch on Windows PC via Steam (officially Steam Deck Verified), Epic Games Store and GOG, PS5™, Xbox Series X|S and the Nintendo Switch™ on Jan. 28, 2025. Find out more about The Stone of Madness on the official website, follow the game on X, BlueSky, Facebook, and join the discussion on Discord. This game has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB and PEGI18.

Netflix’s The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep Official Trailer

Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into all-out war.

ABOUT THE SERIES:

Synopsis: Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into all-out war.
Premiere Date: February 11, 2025
Writers: Mike Ostrowski and Rae Benjamin
Produced by: Lauren Schmidt Hissrich
Executive Producers: Mike Ostrowski, Tomek Bagiński & Jarosław Sawko (Platige), Jason F Brown & Sean Daniel (Hivemind)
Co-Executive Producer: Rae Benjamin
Creative Consultant: Andrzej Sapkowski
Director: Kang Hei Chul

Moroi Reveal Trailer

Publisher Good Shepherd Entertainment (Dicefolk, Monster Train) and developer Violet Saint today announced Moroi, a dark fantasy hack-and-slash adventure inspired by Romanian folklore, heavy metal and the brilliant works of David Lynch, will beckon you into a peculiar, puzzling world steeped in dark comedy and unsettling horror when it launches on PC in Early 2025 (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2518410/Moroi/).

Indulge in eternal torment with Moroi’s reveal trailer:

Descend into the shadow-choked depths of Moroi’s Cosmic Engine, a maddening labyrinth of twisting corridors and forgotten horrors. Plagued by amnesia, your name, past and sins are beyond memory, shrouded in darkness. As you claw your way through this realm of torment, you face grotesque inhabitants in a land where dark-as-night humor is the only silver lining. Cling to your sanity in an otherwise deteriorating existence styled as grimdark fantasy, a subgenre of fiction distinguished by bleak, dystopian settings and scenarios.

Wage war against Moroi’s battalions of mages, guards and the cursed undead while wielding a gruesome arsenal of unorthodox weaponry. Tear through the flesh of your foes with the jagged teeth of a hellish duck, or unleash a storm of projectiles with the aid of a flying brain. Around every corner lies an unexpected discovery or new instrument of death.

The labyrinth’s horrors extend beyond the bloody thrill of combat, conjuring otherworldly environments, eccentric acquaintances and puzzles calling for unconventional approaches. Moroi’s trials forgo mere riddles and sliding blocks; embrace macabre solutions like drinking blood, forcing regurgitation or scavenging through innards to forge deeper into the Cosmic Engine. Each puzzle has its own clever solution, often awarding triumph in exchange for suffering. Engage with the Cosmic’s bizarre residents to uncover the secrets of their twisted world, savoring moments of dark humor to lighten the unrelenting dread.

Escape is your only hope, the key to uncovering the grim truths that bind you. But tread carefully – the choices you make will carve your path toward one of multiple endings, shaping a fate that may prove more harrowing than the Cosmic Engine itself.

Stay up to date on the macabre reality of Moroi by following Good Shepherd Entertainment on Bluesky @GoodShepherd.Games.

DJI Unveils Flip Series of Vlogging Camera Drone

DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today announces DJI Flip, a new series of all-in-one vlog camera drones. At less than 249g1, this compact drone features foldable full-coverage propeller guards1, ensuring ultra-safe and reliable flying. Photographers can capture impressive 48MP photos and 4K videos with the drone’s 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with one tap of a button. Being fully equipped with comprehensive protection at all times, even beginner pilots can confidently navigate the skies with DJI Flip.

“Building on the success of our consumer camera drones, we are introducing DJI Flip to combine the simplicity of the DJI Neo with the stunning photo capabilities of the DJI Mini to make both aerial photography and close-up portraits accessible for everyone,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Product Experience Director at DJI. “DJI Flip combines creative tools like AI subject tracking1 and intelligent shooting modes1 with safety features like our latest foldable propeller guards and automatic braking, making it easier than ever for people to capture stunning aerial footage no matter their level of photography or drone expertise.”

DJI FLIP_Outdoor KV_Autumn Scenery Camping (1)

Ultra Safe and Reliable Flights Intelligent One-Tap Aerial Photography

DJI Flip makes flying safe and reliable thanks to its foldable, full-coverage guard that wraps the propellers to avoid injury or damage to the drone. Made of lightweight and strong carbon fiber string, the guard’s support structure is only 1/60 the weight of guards made with traditional polycarbonate material while maintaining the same stiffness and durability to ensure safe flights.

Intelligent One-Tap Aerial Photography
DJI Flip makes flying simple, requiring no special training in most countries and regions. This palm-sized drone is lightweight and compact, making it an ideal travel companion for capturing any adventure. Whether hiking through forests or climbing steep peaks, DJI Flip makes flying simple. With one tap of the mode button, photographers can select from six intelligent shooting modes to capture impressive footage. AI Subject Tracking1 can also be enabled to keep a subject in the frame. Six intelligent shooting modes include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang.

Strong Camera with Smart Enhancements 

DJI Flip can capture high-dynamic 48MP photos with more highlight and shadow details. The camera is powered by a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor featuring Dual Native ISO Fusion, f/1.7 aperture, and 2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels. It can also capture photos with up to 4x zoom. Intricate details can be preserved with next-gen SmartPhoto1, which combines HDR imaging, scene recognition, and more for images that pop.

DJI Flip records HDR video at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, promising footage with true-to-life quality. It also supports slow-motion recording at 4K/100fps and 10-bit D-Log M color mode. A 4:3-aspect-ratio CMOS sensor provides enough space for vertical crops while maintaining a 2.7k resolution, optimized for smartphone viewing and social media without any cropping needed.

Product KV_Unfold-1

DJI’s intelligent shooting features easily produce professional-grade work:

  • MasterShots: Allows DJI Flip to automatically perform diverse camera movements, shooting multiple clips and editing them with music, cuts, and effects for fast and simplified cinematic footage.
  • Hyperlapse: Select from four options, including Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint to capture timelapse footage at up to 4K horizontally or 2.7K vertically.
  • FocusTrack: Find creative ways to follow your subject with FocusTrack. The suite includes ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0, three powerful storytelling tools.
  • Panorama: Supports shooting 180°, Wide Angle, Vertical, and Sphere panoramic photos to capture magnificent landscapes.

Other Standout Features

  • 31-minute Max Flight Time1DJI Flip’s Intelligent Flight Battery delivers up to 31 minutes of flight time, ensuring seamless creation without battery concerns.
  • Automatic Braking1DJI Flip’s 3D Infrared Sensing System supports automatic braking for enhanced safety, even at night.
  • Next Level Video Transmission: When paired with the DJI RC-N3 or RC 2 remote controller, DJI O4 video transmission supports up to 13 kmof 1080p/60fps video transmission and has excellent anti-interference capabilities, allowing you to explore vast landscapes with clarity.
  • Fast Charging and Data Transfers1The DJI Flip Parallel Charging Hub charges two batteries simultaneously1, significantly reducing charging time. With the DJI Fly app, footage can be transferred at speeds up to 30MB/s.
  • Fly With or Without Remote Controller: The DJI Flip can be operated with the DJI RC-N3 or RC 2 remote controllers. It can also operate with the DJI Fly app or Voice Controlfor hands-free flying. When connected to your phone, it can capture audio and intelligently reduce noise, automatically filtering out propeller noise.
  • Data Protection: Local Data Mode acts like “airplane mode” on the phone by completely disconnecting the DJI Flip from the internet, ensuring all data stays only in the drone.

Product KV_Fold

Price and Availability

DJI Flip is available to order from store.dji.com and authorized retail partners, with shipping starting today, in the following configurations:

  • DJI Flip retails for $439
  • DJI Flip (DJI RC 2) retails for $639
  • DJI Flip Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) retails for $779

RuneScape Beneath Scabaras Sands Dev Diary

Pack your waterskin and return to the scorching hot sands of the Kharidian Desert for a trilogy of new quests coming to the beloved MMO RuneScape, starting with the first quest ‘Beneath Scabaras’ Sands’, available to RuneScape members today.

The sands are stirring and corrupted scarab creatures have been sighted across the desert. The Pharaoh of Menaphos can’t sit idly by and seeks assistance to find the God of Isolation and Wisdom. The time has come to return to the Desert for a trio of quests leading to the final confrontation with the Goddess of Destruction herself: Amascut.

To embark on this new adventure, players will need to have completed the ‘Ode of the Devourer’ and ‘’Phite Club’ questlines and reached the 87 Slayer skill level. After meeting the requirements, venture to the throne room in Menaphos to catch up with some familiar faces and start this quest!

RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.

Airborne Empire Early Access Launch Trailer

Indie game studio The Wandering Band and publisher Stray Fawn are thrilled to announce that their highly anticipated skyward adventure Airborne Empire is available now in Early Access on Steam for PC.

Airborne Empire brings the aerial city-building and colony management series to new heights. The skyward city builder tasks players with building a fantastical settlement in the clouds, all while managing resources and fighting off nefarious sky pirates. Players uncover secrets and complete thrilling quests across the massive world, in hopes of attaining enough materials to grow their settlement into a fortress and a home. Only the most daring leaders can reforge a harmonious world between the land and the skies.

Early Access Launch Trailer:

By traveling through arid deserts and dense woodlands, you encounter a vibrant cast of characters, citizens to recruit, and a slate of unlockable upgrades. Airborne Empire is the follow-up to The Wandering Band’s BAFTA-nominated Airborne Kingdom. This new experience brings expanded open-world exploration, deeper role-playing mechanics, and colorful characters, and introduces combat.

Airborne Empire is now available for purchase on Steam for PC, priced at $24.99. Visit airborneempire.com for more information, and follow The Wandering Band on X and Instagram for the latest updates.

Ravenswatch Nintendo Switch Pre-Order Trailer

The world of Reverie is about to welcome its new guardians: players on Nintendo Switch™ can pre-order Ravenswatch today to join the fight against the Nightmare on January 23, 2025.

The free update “Nightmares Unleashed” will also be available on January 23, 2024 on all platforms. It will introduce new opponents, mini-bosses and activities.

Ravenswatch is a top-down roguelike action game that combines intense real-time combat with deep gameplay and high replay value. After the success of Curse of the Dead Gods, Passtech Games returns with a new formula and game experience.

In Ravenswatch, no two runs are alike. With over 200 talents, 50 magical items, endless build combinations, 4 difficulty levels, custom game modes and online cross-play co-op up to 4 players, the game offers an addictive experience and high replay value.

Ravenswatch is now available on PC, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. The Nintendo SwitchTM version will be available January 23rd 2025.

Find out more on the official website: www.ravenswatch.com

Architect Life: A House Design Simulator First Gameplay Trailer

NACON and studio Shine Research are pleased to unveil the first gameplay footage of Architect Life: A House Design Simulator – the first simulation game that lets you embark on a career as an architect. The game will be available on PC, PS5TM, Xbox Series and Nintendo SwitchTM in June 2025.

Architect Life offers high replayability through two main game modes: the “Career Mode”, with 60 varied missions, and the “Free Mode”, which allows players to create their dream houses, with or without constraints. Thanks to Shine Research’s technical expertise, the team has made it a point of pride to ensure that the game is just as easy to control with a gamepad as with keyboard/mouse, so that everyone can become an architect in their own way.

Your clients are counting on you to design their dream home!
By following the specifications provided, players can design the ideal home for their clients. Architect Life offers a set of intuitive tools to help them unleash their creativity, such as the ability to build straight or curved walls, multi-storey houses or roofs of any shape.

Building constraints are also integrated into the game to create a healthy and comfortable living environment. Players must ensure proper heating in every room and meet their clients’ specific requirements for each space.

Players can furnish both the exterior and interior, placing a few pieces of furniture that will help their customers to envision themselves. A wide range of customizable textures and colors is available in-game, thanks to a color wheel that creates an infinite number of possibilities.

Step into the Architect’s shoes.
Once the plans have been drawn up, it’s time to choose the subcontractors and monitor progress on site. Budding architects must always be ready to adapt to unforeseen events during construction, such as the vagaries of the weather, problems with selected contractors and so on. They need to make the best decisions to complete the project on time and within budget.

As they progress in Career Mode, players can grow their business, unlock new terrains and bonuses in the skill tree. These upgrades grant access to new construction techniques and special materials, essential for tackling larger and more complex architectural projects.

Garmin Introduces the Instinct 3 Rugged Smartwatch Series at CES

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the Instinct® 3 Series, its newest lineup of rugged smartwatches, now offered with a brilliant AMOLED or solar-powered display for maximum battery life. Designed with adventurers in mind, Instinct 3 Series adds a metal-reinforced bezel for extreme durability and a built-in flashlight on every model. And with incredible battery life, it’s easy to explore more; the AMOLED models get up to 24 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode while the solar charging models can get unlimited battery life1.

“With trendy, limited-edition colors and a durable design, Instinct 3 is the smartwatch you can wear whenever, wherever. Packed with connected features, popular built-in sports apps and 24/7 health and wellness monitoring, the latest lineup is built to help you follow your passions—whatever they may be.”
–Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales

Rugged yet bold

Featuring a metal-reinforced bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant display for maximum durability, Instinct 3 Series is ready for any challenge. The new lineup is also built to MIL-STD 810 for thermal and shock resistance and is water-rated to 100 meters. Plus, a built-in flashlight – now available on all Instinct 3 models – provides variable intensities, a red light and strobe mode to help provide greater awareness in dark environments, like while spelunking in caves, rummaging through a gear pack or telling scary stories around the campfire.

Both the AMOLED and solar options are available in two sizes – 45mm and 50mm—and come in sleek colorways like Black, Black/Charcoal, plus bright and bold colorways like Neotropic and Neotropic/Twilight, that are part of the new, limited-edition Tropical Pulse Collection.

Even more to love about the Instinct 3 Series

  • Increased solar efficiency: A larger, more efficient solar lens harnesses the power of the sun even better. Compared to Instinct 2 Solar, the new 50mm Instinct 3 Solar gets more than five times the battery life in GPS mode when solar charging.
  • Around-the-clock health and wellness monitoring: Track steps, heart rate, advanced sleep monitoring, wrist-based Pulse Ox2,heart rate variability (HRV) status and more3. Meanwhile, women’s health tracking features let users track their menstrual cycle and pregnancy while also getting exercise and nutrition information.
  • Morning report: Upon waking, receive a customized look at last night’s sleep, the day’s calendar and HRV status.
  • Smart notifications: Receive emails, texts and alerts right on the watch when paired with a compatible Apple® or Android smartphone.
  • Garmin Messenger app: Communicate with friends and family via two-way text messaging right from the watch4.
  • Garmin Pay contactless payments: Breeze through select checkout lines and transit systems through participating providers.
  • Multi-band GPS with SatIQ: Experience superior positioning accuracy while optimizing battery life.
  • Garmin Share: Quickly and easily share saved locations, courses and workouts with other nearby, compatible Garmin smartwatches and Edge® cycling computers.

Explore more

With sports apps like hiking, running, cycling, golfing, fishing, skiing and more, Instinct 3 Series is the perfect companion to enjoy the great outdoors. While out exploring, TracBack® routing helps provide a route back to the starting point as well as reference points of known spots relative to that location. The built-in altimeter, barometer and 3-axis electronic compass can be used to navigate the next trail. Users can also pair their Instinct 3 with the Garmin Explore App to review more detailed maps, create waypoints and courses and more to make the most of their next adventure.

Get active

In addition to built-in sports apps for outdoor adventures, Instinct 3 Series is loaded with apps for activities like HIIT, cardio, indoor and outdoor track running, pickleball, basketball and more. Prepare for the next race, train for a milestone, or strive to improve overall fitness with Garmin Coach adaptive and prebuilt training plans for running and cycling. View an entire week of daily suggested workouts that adapt after every run or ride or create step-by-step workouts from more than 1,600 exercises in the Garmin Connect app, then send them directly to the watch. And track intensity minutes, VO2 max and recovery time to receive guidance on recommended recovery times to reduce fatigue and burnout.

Stay connected

When paired with a compatible smartphone, view smart notifications and workout with greater peace of mind thanks to safety and tracking features like incident detection, assistance and LiveTrack5.

Available to order on Garmin.com on January 10th, Instinct 3 AMOLED models have suggested retail prices starting at $449.99 while the solar charging models start at $399.99. See them on display during CES 2025 at the Garmin booth, #3540 in the LVCC West Hall.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, off-road explorers, road warriors and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences, enrich lives and help provide peace of mind, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroomemail our media team, connect with @garminoutdoor on social, or follow our blog.