The dead are back for more! The new “Extinction” update is now available in World War Z: Aftermath, the ultimate co-op zombie shooter from Saber Interactive. Free on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, this newest update features fresh mutators for Challenge Mode, the addition of the Arizona XL* map to Challenge Horde Mode, a new heavy weapon skin customization option, the premium Golden Bloom Weapon Skin Pack DLC, and the new, exceptionally tough Extinction Challenge Mode!
Think you’ve got what it takes? The new Extinction Challenge Mode raises the bar even higher, with even more aggressive zombies that are harder to take down and can infect you on contact. Allies will be tougher to distinguish from the pack and death occurs after just one incapacitation, with respawns only possible at checkpoints.
Each week in Extinction Challenge Mode, maps from one campaign episode will be featured on rotation. Players who complete all maps from any episode for the first time in this mode will receive bonus rewards like a heavy weapon skin, 350 blue coins and 1,000 gold coins!
Today’s update also adds 13 new mutators for Challenge Horde Mode:
Grenadier – The Bomber throws explosives until neutralized
Myopia – After aiming, your vision becomes blurred
Plague Creatures – During the wave, a random special zombie and poison cloud appears
Mass Contamination – The Booster infects a larger group of zombies nearby
Angry Turrets – At the start of the wave, all deployed turrets become neutral, posing a deadly threat to both zombies and human players
New Advantages for All 8 Classes – Raise the health and damage of each class by 50%
Players can also grab new premium cosmetic styles for their arsenal today. Available for $4.99, the Golden Bloom Weapon Skin Pack DLC brings flashy floral patterns to the Geist 17MP pistol, Paladin LMG rifle, Keris V10 SMG, BSS-2 shotgun and MAG-5 machine gun.
Private Division, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Wētā Workshop, the creative studio known for their work on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, revealed yesterday during a showcase that Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game will launch on March 25, 2025 on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Netflix Games.
Watch the showcase to find out more about all the exciting features and inspirations behind the game on YouTube:
Embark on a cosy adventure in Tales of the Shire where you experience the quiet life of a Hobbit in J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Begin by creating your unique Hobbit avatar, choosing from a variety of very Hobbit-specific features to express yourself – including foot-hair styles and personality ‘moods’ that bring your character to life. Perhaps your Hobbit is a friendly soul with fiery red hair, a cute button nose, and bright green eyes? Or maybe your Hobbit is more of a Sackville curmudgeon, with a broad nose and balding hair! The choice is yours. Then set out to make your home in sleepy Bywater and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in the Shire.
“Wētā Workshop has been trusted with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe for more than 25 years, and over that time we have built up a deep understanding of the lore and a real love of Middle-earth that flows through our creative work across screen, collectibles and now, our cosy sims games,” said Richard Taylor, Co-founder and CEO at Wētā Workshop. “Tales of the Shire allows us to inspire our talents in an entirely new medium and, ultimately, create this game for people just like us – fans of The Lord of the Rings. This is a beautiful way that players who are looking for a quieter, more peaceful time can discover this in a less explored corner of this universe.”
This small, growing community is home to a delightful cast of residents, who will request your aid in placing Bywater on the Shire’s map as an official village. To accomplish this goal, you will grow and nurture relationships with other characters. For most Hobbits, the best way to build bonds with others is through the comforts of a warm meal.
Much like in real life, cooking requires proper preparation, careful attention, and a “dash of this or that” for the perfect feast. Chop up home grown vegetables, sauté foraged mushrooms, perhaps add a tart pickle or a dollop of sweet jam to balance the dish. Every meal has various steps to complete to earn multiple stars, all in an effort to present a dish that satisfies and delights your guests.
As a newly established Hobbit, you’ll have access to the essentials – a bedroom, a cosy lounge, and of course – your pantry and kitchen to prepare meals for expected and unexpected guests. From these humble beginnings, you’ll soon be able to expand your space and supplies – fishing, foraging, gardening, and trading with your neighbours. This will quickly enable you to establish a well-stocked pantry and upgraded tools for harvesting and cooking. The shops of Bywater are bustling with many vendors who are willing to sell you all kinds of ingredients, as well as decorative items for your Hobbit home. Meet humorous and interesting characters like Old Noakes; while he may seem a bit cantankerous at first, he is a master angler. Not only can he give you tips on improving your own fishing skills, and help unlock secret fishing spots, he trades his daily catches. Nora and Fosco Burrows’ shop is stocked to the brim with adornments for your home as well as other charming items to fill out your wardrobe. There are many other Hobbits awaiting you in Bywater, so be sure to meet and invite them over for a second breakfast!
If you are not feeling up to the bustle of the market, wander through the fields and the forests to scavenge for seasonal items. Collect some juicy berries for a fresh summer tart or mushrooms to add to a harvest pie. Butterflies often flutter by and when closely followed can guide you to new discoveries. Beyond the rounded opening of your Hobbit home, a short venture reveals a bounty – your very own garden. This fully customisable area allows you to place multiple plots. Want to place a daybed in your garden? Perhaps you’d like to create a summer table setting? The space is yours to create! Your garden offers a personal touch to your Hobbit life, and here you can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, and other harvestable ingredients. Just be sure to take proper care by watering and checking on them daily.
In addition to the hills’ ample harvest and your ability to cultivate plants in your garden, you can catch a variety of fish in the various streams and bubbling brooks around Bywater. Relax by taking a moment to cast your lure in a stream. Watch the bobber closely and hook a big catch for your next meal!
“The Lord of the Rings is an extraordinary world, beloved by hundreds of millions, and people have been clamoring for a game to bring the community, fellowship, and warmth of the Shire to life,” said Eric Correll, Vice President, Head of Marketing at Private Division. “In Tales of the Shire, Wētā Workshop has created the countryside village of Bywater like no one else could do, and we can’t wait for gamers to unwind, relax, and explore.”
Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game is possible due to Middle-earth Enterprises having licensed the literary works of The Lord of the Rings series and providing Wētā Workshop Game Studio with the creative license. The game is coming March 25, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Netflix Games, and PC via Steam. Tales of the Shire is not yet rated by the ESRB. For more information, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and visit www.talesoftheshire.com.
Private Division is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
Today, publisher Raw Fury and developer Fury Studios announced that Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus, the next major DLC for the atmospheric side-scrolling strategy game, will launch on October 8 on PC via Steam, GOG, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android.
In addition to the DLC’s launch on October 8, players can look forward to a free 2.0 update that includes a collection of quality-of-life improvements, such as options to turn off the tutorial ghost, a new save system supporting up to 10 save slots and more. Along with the update, players can expand their royal experience in the world of Kingdom with two new cosmetic DLC packs: The Archon’s Royal Wardrobe DLC and Regent’s Royal Wardrobe DLC. The supporter DLC packs provide players with more ways to customize new looks for their Monarchs and when purchased (for $2,99 each), will provide an additional way to support the ongoing development of the Kingdom series.
Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus is set in a fantastical interpretation of Ancient Greece and its mythos. An all-new campaign experience will evolve the classic Kingdom formula, including the ability to unlock powerful artifacts through quests that can be used to defend against the waves of Greed coming at night.
Players must defend their Kingdom and conquer the Greed to find out what awaits them on top of Mount Olympus. As the Monarch, gain access to the divine mountaintop by earning the favor of several gods. Players will embark on an island-hopping journey packed with unique challenges and puzzles to appease the gods and rise to victory on the mountain.
Key Features
Journey on a quest to free Mount Olympus
An Epic New World – Call of Olympus features a reworked map with an epic conclusion at Mount Olympus, and you choose how to get there!
Temple and Quest Islands – These new islands present unique challenges, hidden treasures and powerful artifact rewards – prove your worth to Artemis, Athena, Hephaestus and Hermes to open the path to Mount Olympus.
Mythological mounts – Discover and unlock powerful new mounts, like the fierce three-headed Cerberus, the terrifying fire-breathing Chimera, the majestic winged Pegasus, or the trusty Donkey… and many more!
Fight Greed of Epic Scales
Face Your Fears – Muster steadfast defenses to protect your crown, the Greed threat is more challenging than ever before, with multi-phased boss battles against the sinister Serpent.
Raise Your Banner – Shift the momentum and lead from the front. Bring the fight to the Greed with new siege mechanics, where the Hoplites will join you in Phalanx formation.
Assemble Your Fleet – Fight on land and at sea, and build a fleet with devastating ship-mounted ballistas to join your battle. Once victorious, use your armada to ferry your army across the seas and combat the growing threat of Greed.
Discover Godly Powers and Abilities
Powerful Artifacts – Unlock four unique artifacts bestowed by the gods. Whether you choose a bow with a powerful directed attack or a hammer that boosts your troops’ prowess, these items grant you new offensive and defensive abilities against the Greed.
Guided by the Oracle – Never stray from the task at hand. At your request, the Oracle will provide you with wisdom and directions for the next step of your Odyssey!
Set the Greed Ablaze – Wield powerful fire technology granted by the new hermit. It’s as if Prometheus himself gifted it!
Today, the teaser trailer and poster for the upcoming feature film, “Thunderbolts*” debuted. Marvel Studios and a crew of indie veterans who sold out present “Thunderbolts*,”an irreverent team-up featuring depressed assassin Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) alongside the MCU’s least anticipated band of misfits.
The film also returns to the screen Marvel Cinematic Universe characters Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen) and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), in addition to some exciting new faces.
Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*”with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, Jason Tamez and Scarlett Johansson serve as executive producers.
Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” opens in U.S. theaters on May 2, 2025.
The Game Kitchen and Team17 Digital are preparing to return to Cvstodia, with the Mea Culpa to hand, to experience an alternate ending to Blasphemous II.
Featuring a new ending, new bosses, new zones, new abilities, new enemies, new quests and a new… New Game+, experience Cvstodia like never before in this massive expansion to Blasphemous II and become the wielder of one of the most powerful artefacts – The Mea Culpa.
Now is the perfect time to jump into the definitive telling of Blasphemous II’s story – and experience its harshest challenges.
The Free Update includes:
Expanded zones: Choir of Thorns, Sunken Cathedral and Basilica of Ancient Faces have all been reforged with new challenges to explore and conquer.
New connecting zones: Quicker traversal between zones already explored so you can dash your way across the world faster than Sarmiento and Centella.
A new challenge: The Labyrinth of Tides presents a new challenge for those ready to face it.
New Game+: Totally adjustable difficulty options to upgrade your savegame from stronger enemies to deadlier spikes and lethal falls.
New enemies: Cvstodia’s denizens rise to face you, are you up to their challenge?
as well as a host of upgrades for the Penitent One, Quality of Life improvements and Achievements.
The Paid DLC: Mea Culpa includes:
New Zones: Two massive new zones for you to endure their harsh winds and ascend their towering heights
New Bosses: Fight some of the greatest challenges and stare defeat in the face in Mea Culpa
New Quests: Piece together your sword and experience the power of Mea Culpa. Plus meet new characters along the way.
New NPCs: 4 New compatriots for your journey, will they accept their fate or will you change them forever?
New Alternative Ending: face some of Blasphemous II’s fiercest challenges.
as well as ways to grow the power of the Mea Culpa.
This past weekend during the SuperMotocross World Championship Final held in Las Vegas, Milestone and Feld Motor Sports, Inc. revealed a teaser trailer for Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game in venue at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and on air in the event’s live Peacock broadcast.
Watch the Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game teaser trailer here:
Two years since the last installment, today’s trailer offers a glimpse of what’s to come in the new chapter of the franchise, which has been rebuilt from the ground up to offer Supercross fans the most authentic and engaging gaming experience yet. For the first time, players will get to live the thrills of the current season and even anticipate the official schedule by racing with the 2025 official roster, tracks, and bikes alongside the course of the real 2025 championship season. Making the most out of Unreal Engine 5, the game will feature unprecedented graphics as well as a new physics system to deliver a whole new level of realism and simulation. Meeting one of the strongest requests of the community, Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game introduces a dynamic terrain deformation system with evolving ruts. Beyond visual evidence, this new system will add a fresh layer of dynamism to the gameplay, as tracks will now change at every lap with dirt accumulating on the terrain and creating banks and ruts.
“We’re so excited to have finally announced Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game,” said Game Director Sebastiano Stefanetto – “This new chapter is the result of intensive work and an extended development span that we took to ensure the game fully meets the demands of our community. We have carefully listened to our players’ feedback and worked to deliver the most spectacular, rough, and dirty entry in the series. We are confident that our efforts will take the adrenaline and fun to new heights, entertaining both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
“To have the 2025 iteration of the game be available during the 2025 Supercross season is a significant accomplishment that we are proud to be a part of,” said Mike Muye, Sr. Director of Operations for Feld Motor Sports. “It’s going to be another thrilling season, and we’re excited to share it in real-time with players around the world.”
Set to be released in 2025, Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game will be available for all major gaming platforms.
The Astronauts are thrilled to announce that their RPG Shooter Witchfire is now live in Steam Early Access! The dark fantasy FPS also launches with a new patch called “The High Stakes” update, which introduces the legendary stakegun, Striga; this fearsome firearm, allows players to impale or gib enemies with brutal force. The update also adds achievements, a new Witch Vault, and enhanced visuals across every region. Additionally, core mechanics like Stamina and Calamities have been redesigned and rebalanced to better support the fantasy of becoming a powerful witch hunter.
Striga will be available early in the game as a token of appreciation for all players who have already bought the game, and those who buy it during Early Access on both Epic Games Store and Steam.
Steam Early Access | Launch Discount:
The game, priced at $39.99 USD, has a 10% discount for the next 14 days to celebrate the Steam Early Access launch!
About the game: Witchfire is a single-player RPG shooter from the creative minds behind Painkiller and Bulletstorm. Embark on perilous expeditions, vanquishing foes to enhance your powers and arsenal. Scavenge valuable resources and retreat to your sanctuary, or push your luck by confronting Familiars— the powerful guardians of the witch.
Overcome the Witch and her minions.
Skill and knowledge are essential for success in the battle against the Witch of the Black Sea and her witchfire-fueled army. If you die, you have one chance to return and claim what you lost— or regroup and tackle different enemies.
Go on Expeditions.
Explore vast, immersive biomes and select your battleground to confront the Witch’s forces. Each completed encounter strengthens you and your arsenal during this expedition through our roguelite system, called Arcana. There are countless ways to build your Preyer and dominate the Witch.
Become a deadly Preyer.
Only the most wicked individuals can transform into Preyers, undead assassins sustained by witchfire flowing through their veins.
In the base of operations called the Hermitory, you can choose from a wide selection of distinctive weapons, spells, and artifacts to build your own Preyer.
Take the risk.
On each expedition, you can extract your looted items or, if you feel confident, confront the Witch’s Familiar to unlock new areas with powerful new items and upgrades.
Uncover the mystery of the lost cargo.
Piece together a forbidden story from the past that can save the future.
45 indies. 75 minutes. The Six One Indie Showcase returns with its fifth consecutive zero-barriers indie game showcase on September 19th via SixOneIndie.com and IGN. Mark your calendars and catch a glimpse of the event in the Showcase Hype Teaser below!
Beginning with the Play Now Pre Show at 8:50AM PT/11:50AM ET, the Showcase features never-before-seen world premieres, digital showcase debuts, and exclusive news from 45 indie developers and publishers such as Akupara Games, Playtonic Friends, and Kaizen Game Works. Once the Showcase ends, audiences will be able to delve deeper with over 20 exclusive developer interviews, hands-on previews, and the Six One Indie Showcase Steam Event featuring discounts and demos from current participants and Showcase Alumni.
The Six One Indie Showcase aims to offer promotional opportunities to indie developers that may not have the means to highlight their games within the traditional showcase ecosystem of the industry. What began as a small DIY passion project has blossomed into a professionally produced premiere presentation while maintaining the zero-barriers, zero-cost values in benefit of the developers. With a passionate and ever growing following of indie enthusiasts, the team at Six One Indie are overjoyed to continue their work elevating diverse indie developers through Showcases and The Indie Game Awards celebrating excellence within the indie scene.
Save the date: the Six One Showcase returns on September 19th, 2024! Find out more about the upcoming Six One Indie Showcase by visiting the official website.
Zen Studios — the leading global producer and publisher of digital pinball video games — today announced Pinball M and Pinball FX’s newest original pinball table addition, Camp Bloodbrook, at the inaugural horror video game showcase Fantastic Games: Presented by Day of the Devs. Horror fans can get their hands on the new ‘80s campy slasher-themed content pack just in time for Halloween on October 24, 2024.
Tilt into terror with Zen Studios’ Camp Bloodbrook, a horrifying new pinball table designed to scare even the most fearless players. Travel back in time to the classic ‘80s with Jacob Wells, the “Wellbound”, and utilize every ounce of your pinball skills to escape. Determine if the campfire stories told here are pure fiction, or if they were written in blood all along.
Camp Bloodbrook Key Features:
Nightly scavenger hunts! Did you hear something in the woods? It’s probably nothing…
Compete against our skilled counselors in hide and seek. Competition here is DEADLY serious
Homesick already? We hope your flipper aim is true — otherwise, you’ll never leave…
Wade out to our lovely lake in a canoe, but beware of the stirring water
Participate in a 2-stage Wizard Mode where evil never sleeps for long
Today, Gun Interactive is thrilled to announce that Rush Week—the new, free game mode coming to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—will launch on Thursday, September 26th for players who have purchased the Content Pass, and on Monday, September 30th for all other players. Focusing on fan-favorite killer Johnny Slaughter, this 1v6 multiplayer mode will let players experience horror through a Giallo-influenced, late 70’s slasher lens.
The goal is simple: survive. Play as 6 different Sorority Girls racing against the clock to escape from Johnny, or as the Killer himself. Differing from the base game, players will have new escape options as well as a few new key items such as a wrench, a knife, and pepper spray, that allow players to protect themselves. Check out the gameplay trailer below!
Johnny and six new playable Sorority Girls will be randomly assigned at the start of the match. This two-story Sorority House features multiple spots to run and hide in, including a locked basement that can be explored. Traversal is similar to the original game, with multiple windows that can be jumped out of, ladders to climb, and even an attic area with its own unique escape option.
While the Sorority Girls will not have any perks, there are key items scattered throughout the house to help them escape, including objects that allow them to call the authorities. If the police are called successfully, players have a limited amount of time to survive in the Sorority House with Johnny. There is an Attic Pole that can be used to make your final escape via an attic hatch, but be warned: at most only two Sorority Girls can escape through that exit, and Johnny players can also break the ladder to render that route useless.
The Sorority Girls can buy themselves time by using various weapons and distractions like the wrench, the knife, and the pepper spray, as well as an all new mechanic using perfume that can be thrown at him to reveal his location.
Johnny’s objective is to Hunt. With each execution, he will get stronger, making him more lethal the longer a match goes. Within ‘Rush Week’ there will be a Fear system in place where if a Sorority Girl has a high level of Fear, Johnny can smell that fear and find them easier. So, it’s important for the Sorority Girls to complete objectives in order to lower their amount of fear or Johnny is going to get them.
Devised under the consultation and blessings of Kim Henkel himself—writer of the screenplay for the original 1974 film—Rush Week ushers in a new era of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Set several years after the events of the original film, Rush Week allows Gun Interactive to explore and create within the world of Texas while still adhering to the authenticity of their game.
Players hoping to experience this unique game mode early can do so with the purchase of the official TCSM Content Pass, which additionally unlocks Execution Pack 4. The Content Pass will go on sale for $19.99 USD on September 26th, 2024.
In addition to the default cosmetics of Pajamas, Cheerleader, and Nightie, everyone who plays ‘Rush Week’ will unlock the Towel and Laundry Day cosmetics for FREE, for life! But you gotta be quick, as the offer only lasts until the October patch when the two cosmetics will move to the shop at $1.99 each.
And for additional details about Rush Week, check out the latest post on the TCSM Community Hub. 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. 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.
