Image: Push Square CD Projekt Red astonished everyone when it proclaimed that a significant new Cyberpunk 2077 update would be launched around the same timeframe as the Edgerunners 2 anime. While some enthusiasts might have anticipated a minor surprise to coincide with the show, the magnitude of Patch 2.5 is rather astonishing — it’s considerably larger than it ever needed to be. I’m not voicing any complaints, however. Frequent readers will recognize that I’ll seize any opportunity to explore Night City again. But is Patch 2.5 deserving of a return? That’s the inquiry I’ll strive to address in this Hands On piece, as the current release schedule is so frenzied that not everyone will have the leisure to focus on older titles. The New Missions Image: Push Square Patch 2.5 includes not one, but two new missions to complete. And they are definitely not the type of trivial tasks that one might expect from...
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Describes them as “the forthcoming solution for sustaining growth and momentum” by Stephen Tailby Yesterday, 6:30pm The CEO of Saber Interactive, Matthew Karch, asserts that the double-A gaming sector, which has been largely overlooked in the shift towards significant triple-A productions, is crucial for survival in a volatile industry. Karch has highlighted the recent launch of Hellraiser: Revival as proof that mid-range budget titles can succeed among more prominent releases. In a message posted on LinkedIn, Karch noted that the horror title “has been achieving excellent performance on PC and console.” He elaborates on his views regarding how double-A games entail lower risks and possibly higher returns on investment compared to their pricier counterparts: Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k “The game serves as a testament to the idea that a well-established IP and robust AA development with managed expenses can yield impressive outcomes and elevated user ratings. I maintain that an increased emphasis...
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Robbed by Robert Ramsey Yesterday, 7pm There are still roughly six months remaining until Exodus launches on PS5, granting developer Archetype Entertainment ample time to refine its Mass Effect-inspired RPG. And this is precisely what the studio has accomplished with the primary character, Jun. In a rather unexpected announcement from the studio, general manager Chad Robertson has disclosed that the team has modified the male lead’s appearance based on responses from prospective players. Indeed, if you revisit the comment sections of earlier trailers — of which there have been a considerable number — you’ll encounter numerous individuals criticizing Jun’s former appearance. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k Thus, the developers have provided him with a new visage. The overall length of Jun’s face has been shortened, and his more rounded features have been slightly refined. Here’s a direct comparison, with the previous Jun on the left, and the updated Jun on the right: (Thanks...
Read MoreFenix down by Sammy Barker Yesterday, 8:30pm Gears of War: E-Day could potentially be among the priciest games ever produced, making Microsoft’s choice to cancel a nearly-complete PS5 version of the title even more perplexing. Kotaku initiated the discussion earlier today, referencing sources that assert the third-person shooter incurred a staggering $500 million in development costs. This sum is significantly higher than the $300 million figures linked to titles such as Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine, both of which come with substantial Disney licensing charges. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k While this figure appears astonishing at first glance, both Game Business’ Chris Dring and Windows Central’s Jez Corden have suggested that the figure holds validity. It should be noted, however, that Corden mentioned there is some uncertainty regarding how the budget was allocated. Kotaku argues that, considering the immense financial stakes, Microsoft was aware E-Day would not recoup its costs regardless of...
Read MoreUpdate : The disclosed Mass Effect 5 trailer, which surfaced on Reddit earlier today, is authentic. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier and IGN have both confirmed the video independently, which was posted to the franchise’s subreddit just a day after the studio BioWare was abruptly shut down. The exact manner in which the video circulated online remains uncertain, but it is presumed to have been shared by an ex-employee to provide fans with a sneak peek of the ongoing project. The game – codenamed Mass Effect Universe – would have marked the series’ return to its Milky Way backdrop, although it would have been set millennia after the occurrences of Mass Effect 3. We were already aware that beloved character Liara was poised to make her comeback. Even though the video has been circulated online, the endeavor was still in its very early stages of development. BioWare personnel seem quite optimistic about...
Read MoreAs the virtual reality sector continues to strive against financial challenges, innovative VR studio Owlchemy Labs has declared its entry into the realm of extended reality (XR) games with its latest title, Hyper Visor. The game, which Owlchemy refers to as “a unique XR arcade shooter,” is set to launch on the Google Play Store priced at $1.99, coinciding with the introduction of HTC’s XREAL Aura headset. In Hyper Visor, gamers employ their hands along with a “curious pair of living shades” (a common moniker for sunglasses) to navigate through eight levels that invoke various classic gameplay styles such as rhythm games and side-scrolling shooters. Naturally, “headset” isn’t perfectly fitting to describe the XREAL Aura—the gadget is essentially a pair of advanced sunglasses that HTC dubs “spatial computing eyewear.” It operates via a wired link to the user’s Android smartphone. Additionally, “XR” may not quite be the term developers would prefer to characterize this...
Read More(Image credit: Ubisoft) Ubisoft persists in asserting that Beyond Good & Evil 2 is a genuine game that exists, even though it was revealed over 18 years ago, and we haven’t glimpsed any sign of it this decade. A recent article indicates that the reason for the prolonged wait is that the developers keep returning to the concept, most recently shifting from a live-service Fortnite rival to a single-player-focused experience. That is according to the French source Origami, which reports (through machine translation) that Beyond Good & Evil 2 was in the works as a “highly multiplayer and interconnected game” from 2019 to 2022, taking direct cues from Fortnite and Destiny. Participants would design their characters and engage in activities generated spontaneously, with large group engagements organically matchmade. As time progressed, the strategy altered to something more “open-ended,” shifting to four-player cooperative action, and then to two-player co-op, the article continues. In its present...
Read More(Image credit: Rockstar) Job cuts and reorganization have emerged as unfortunate trends in the industry recently. Just this week, BioWare was shut down by EA, amid Xbox eliminating 3,200 positions throughout the whole division. A location that appears more stable is Rockstar, which is preparing to unveil the monumental GTA 6, and at least one former developer there believes it’s in a stronger position than many. “I never encountered the inquiry of whether we needed to downsize, or if we were capable of doing so. Rockstar has the resources,” Jérémy Hartvick, an open-world designer on Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA 6 who departed Rockstar in 2020, shares during the Kiwi Talkz podcast. “The inquiry is if you can fulfill the expectations, and if you fail, you may not endure,” he clarifies. “But otherwise, it’s not a matter of finances.” #220 – Jérémy Hartvick Discusses GTA 6, RDR2, Rockstar, Mission Structure, Leadership – YouTube...
Read More(Image credit: Valve) Half-Life 3 speculation conduit HLX has been referenced once more, this occasion by an experienced Valve creator during an official seminar focused on game sound. A thread on the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit records a recent discussion featuring three Valve creators who participated in the latest GameSoundCon, a symposium centered around game audio and composition. Presenter Mike Morasky, a Valve musician and sound designer whose career includes work on Team Fortress 2, the original Portal, and Half-Life: Alyx, was accompanied by sound engineers David Feise, a 17-year Valve expert, and Carlye Nyte, a newer addition to Valve hailing from Bungie and various other studios. During the Q&A segment of a panel about “Valve’s Strategy for an Open and Adaptable Audio Engine,” Morasky addressed a query concerning voice count. He introduced a grouping mechanism within Valve’s configuration and how it integrates into its HDR system. “Indeed, I believe Deadlock has their unique iteration of...
Read More(Image credit: Netflix) As the evenings get longer, having a comprehensive watchlist is essential – you certainly don’t want to find yourself unprepared on a Saturday night with nothing to view. Evade this unfortunate situation by exploring our compilation of streaming suggestions for this weekend, which includes five fresh films and series that are all deserving of your attention. From an Oscar-nominated comedy-drama and a live-action Disney reimagining to the comeback of a beloved Netflix romantic comedy and an exhilarating anime, there’s something for everyone this week. I’ve selected titles from various streaming platforms, so whatever service you subscribe to, there should be something available for you to enjoy. Below you’ll discover suggestions from Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, and Disney Plus. While we don’t have any distinct Paramount Plus or Apple TV recommendations this week (once you’ve caught up with the recent episodes of Avatar: Seven Havens, that is), we do have guides...
Read More(Image credit: Ubisoft) In yet another completely packed year of fresh video games, it seems like ages since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced launched (it’s genuinely only a few months), yet completionists haven’t ceased inquiring Ubisoft for a New Game Plus feature. Well, Ubisoft has rather nonchalantly verified that the game’s New Game Plus update will arrive in an update “next week,” quelling months of player pleas in a 16-word tweet. “Thank you all for your understanding,” states a tweet from the official Assassin’s Creed Twitter profile, seemingly recognizing how long it has been since we’ve heard anything regarding Black Flag Resynced post-launch. “New Game+ is set for Black Flag Resynced next week!” Thank you everyone for your understanding. New Game+ is arriving at Black Flag Resynced next week! 🥂🎊 https://t.co/nUYYmpzFS7October 22, 2026 I’ll confess, even being the pirate game fanatic I am and with Black Flag being one of my most awaited launches...
Read MoreIt’s time for another Afterlife by Craig Reid Yesterday, 5pm I’ve shared quite a bit on Pure Xbox regarding my admiration for Xbox Play Anywhere and how it stands as my favorite feature. Well, I’m feeling rather pleased about it once more, as the remarkable Cyberpunk 2077 seems to finally endorse Xbox Play Anywhere, which means you receive a complimentary Xbox PC version along with the console variant! It appears the rollout is currently underway, because while the Xbox Play Anywhere label shows up on Cyberpunk 2077’s Xbox Store page and as an ‘Installable’ title on the Xbox PC application, it still prompts for Cloud Gaming. Cyberpunk 2077 is set to receive a significant update later this week, introducing console mods and several other features. This is a game that has perpetually seemed like it ought to already support Xbox Play Anywhere, and I was repeatedly disheartened whenever I overlooked that it didn’t and...
Read MoreToday, we’ve already noted how Cyberpunk 2077 has unexpectedly joined the Xbox Play Anywhere program, and it’s also set to receive a significant update across Xbox Series X and S (and other systems) this Thursday. The update will be version 2.5, also referred to as the “Edgerunners 2 Update”. It encompasses a variety of enhancements from an Xbox viewpoint, including cross-platform mod compatibility, the capacity to dual-wield handguns and revolvers, new Edgerunners 2 and Night City tour side quests, an additional radio station, an FOV slider for consoles, a plethora of new customization options, several performance tweaks, and more! We told you this update is packed – and it’s officially set to launch on October 22nd: “Thought you were finished with Night City? Well, Night City’s not entirely finished with you… the update launches on PC, Mac (Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on October 22nd, with players on...
Read MoreWhich might perhaps be perplexing, suggests it will probably succeed the Series X and S by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 7pm Yesterday, when Fortune released their significant article regarding Xbox, noting that there had been internal disputes between the Xbox and Windows divisions concerning the operating system for the upcoming generation of Xbox devices, individuals began to question what type of OS we might genuinely anticipate on the Project Helix console and beyond. After Windows Central released its article on this, Xbox CTO Scott Van Vliet opted to respond, affirming the Helix OS is “being constructed on Windows” and declaring that the article from Fortune (and subsequently Windows Central) “mischaracterizes both the technical efforts and the connection between the teams” at Xbox and Windows. Here’s a glimpse at the statement for yourself: This instantly ignited confusion and some unease that Xbox might be concentrating on a PC-oriented interface and abandoning the console-style OS for the...
Read More“There is nothing simple about crafting these phrases.” by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 7:25pm In some truly astonishing news today, it has been revealed that iconic development studio BioWare is shutting its doors after three decades, and the upcoming installment in the Mass Effect franchise has been scrapped as a consequence. BioWare issued a statement on social media affirming this, also recognizing titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age as some of the treasured series they have developed throughout the years. Here’s a complete view of the statement: No specific information regarding the cause of BioWare’s shutdown is available in this statement, but Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier is indicating that it is part of approximately 400 positions being eliminated by parent organization Electronic Arts to reduce expenses. BioWare has evidently been a significant part of the Xbox narrative over the last 25 years, and we are deeply disheartened...
Read MoreA fresh approach to engage with Xbox Cloud Gaming by Fraser Gilbert Yesterday, 8pm We’ve been informed for some time that Xbox is keen on providing a new method of payment for Xbox Cloud Gaming without necessitating access to Xbox Game Pass, and it’s currently being tested with Xbox Insiders starting today. This service is being dubbed “Cloud Playtime”, and initially, it’s presented in three versions, each with distinct pricing tiers. The lowest option costs $3.99 for 10 hours, while the highest amounts to $11.99 for 50 hours. Below are the complete three pricing tiers – though remember, they’re still “introductory” at this stage: 10 hours for $3.99 25 hours for $7.99 50 hours for $11.99 Your investment will grant you the ability to engage in supported free-to-play games and titles that you already possess via Xbox Cloud Gaming, boasting “faster wait times, top-notch streaming, and available playtime until it’s consumed” compared to users...
Read MoreIf you can fathom it by Robert Ramsey 10 hours prior Image: Push Square Beyond Good & Evil 2 was revealed 18 years ago. Eighteen! And evidently, the title still persists, against all expectations. In spite of its utterly troubled development phases, and despite Ubisoft’s recent extensive company-wide overhaul. At this juncture, who can tell how many alternate iterations of Beyond Good & Evil 2 have existed behind the scenes — but it’s apparent that none have taken flight. With that said, I’m astonished that it’s still alive somewhere in Ubisoft. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k However, this is indeed the situation according to French source Origami Media, which refers to insiders close to the venture. They state that several years ago, Beyond Good & Evil 2 was envisioned to be some form of multiplayer-oriented experience, where participants could unite and explore “a plethora of planets”. Nevertheless, at some point, this idea got...
Read More400 job reductions at EA overall by Liam Croft 10 hours prior EA is shuttering the RPG studio BioWare. The creator of Mass Effect and Dragon Age will close as EA eliminates “approximately” 400 positions within the organization, which will encompass about 50 at BioWare. Consequently, the forthcoming Mass Effect installment has been cancelled. Earlier today, an announcement was circulated to EA personnel by chief operating officer David Tinson and chief studios officer Cam Weber. In the correspondence, the company remarks it has “conducted a thorough evaluation of our operations”, leading to the cancellation of several initiatives. The upcoming Mass Effect project, which was described as being “in the early stages” of development, is part of the layoffs. A statement released on the EA website states: “We’ve opted not to proceed with this development, indicating we’re closing the studio and our Edmonton facility. BioWare is an iconic studio that significantly shaped the role-playing genre,...
Read MoreBut how significant will it be? by Sammy Barker 9 hours prior Following speculations that Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Helix could demand as much as $1,800, notable hardware analyst KeplerL2 states the PS6 presently costs Sony approximately $200 less to produce. Given the existing trends, that figure may alter, but it has always been anticipated that Sony’s new system would be more economical and streamlined compared to its competitor’s latest model. Initially, it was thought that PlayStation was crafting its next-gen console with cost-effectiveness in mind, but AI-driven shortages in components have disrupted the tech landscape. Even the aging PS5 has seen its costs skyrocket over the past year. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k KeplerL2 recently mentioned that the PS6’s RAM and SSD alone total $680, and that doesn’t include other vital components such as the GPU, CPU, and more. Traditionally, a $200 price advantage would be incredibly significant in the console market, but...
Read MoreIn a universe hopefully not overly distant by Sammy Barker 8 hours prior EA is uniting its two leading first-person shooter teams – Apex Legends’ Respawn and Battlefield’s DICE – to develop a fresh Star Wars Battlefront title, Variety reports. The publication references “multiple sources” acquainted with the publisher’s intentions, although nothing has been formally validated. Earlier this week, a rumor suggested that Lucasfilm was in active negotiations with Sony’s Bungie to create a new Battlefront. That same speculation also hinted at DICE returning to the franchise, nonetheless. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k Last year, Star Wars Battlefront 2 significantly surged in popularity on the PS4, restoring confidence in the future of the franchise. A stellar development team from Respawn and DICE certainly indicates promising prospects. Earlier today, EA disclosed 400 job reductions across the organization, including the shutdown of BioWare. However, in a memo, executives Cam Weber and David Timson were optimistic...
Read MorePricing and pre-order specifics verified by Sammy Barker 8 hours earlier Image: PlayStation If you’re aiming to enhance your audio quality for GTA 6, Sony has announced the release of its newly redesigned PlayStation Pulse headset, which will coincide with Rockstar’s eagerly awaited title on 19th November. Pre-orders will commence on PS Direct next week, starting at 10AM local time on 29th October. The PS Blog also notes that purchases will be available from “participating retailers” – likely including Amazon, Best Buy, and others. The headphones are priced at $99.99/£89.99/€99.99, which is somewhat pricey, yet aligns with what I would expect for an item of this nature. Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube172k If you overlooked the reveal earlier this year, this is a modernized edition of Sony’s previously launched Pulse Elite headset, featuring larger planar drivers for richer, more precise audio. The headset includes PS Link compatibility with devices such as the PS5...
Read MoreMass Effect, Dragon Age, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic creator BioWare is closing its doors following three decades of gaming development. The renowned studio—which was taken over by Electronic Arts in 2007 through VG Holding Corp—revealed the announcement in a message on social media. “There is nothing simple about penning those statements,” the announcement states. “Our priority at this moment is on our exceptionally skilled team who devoted their efforts to these games, and supporting each other during this transition.” Bloomberg News further indicates that EA is also dismissing 400 workers, 50 of whom were engaged at BioWare on a new installment in the Mass Effect franchise. As per Bloomberg, the additional 400 job cuts result from the cancellation, scaling back, and reallocation of other initiatives. A prospective installment in the Sims series, codenamed “Project Lotus,” has been shelved, while another title, codenamed “Project Evergreen,” is being prioritized. Resources are also...
Read MoreFeast your gaze by Jim Norman Yesterday, 1:45pm Strange Scaffold — the studio behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown, El Paso, Elsewhere, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, among others — revealed last month that it was delivering its ultra-sleek FPS I Am Your Beast to Switch 1 and 2. Guess what? It’s accessible right now! The title debuted on the eShop yesterday (20th October), and it is currently priced at $19.99. As of this moment, there is no indication of a listing on the EU shop, but we anticipate it won’t be long until it arrives. I Am Your Beast first appeared in 2024, showcasing a highly gratifying revenge shooter where you seek retribution against the Covert Operations Initiative that persistently dragged your battle-hardened protagonist back for ‘one last job’. The method you prefer to eliminate these foes is your choice, but based on the trailer, any strategy you adopt will be adequately...
Read MoreImage: Nintendo Life Nintendo is celebrating the eerie season the only way it knows how: with a substantial eShop discount, naturally! The ‘Screaming Deals‘ promotion is currently underway on the North American eShop, offering delightful markdowns on a wide array of Switch 1 and 2 hits until 31st October at 11:59 PT — so ensure you’ve taken full advantage of it by then! There are so many titles on offer, in fact, that we have compiled the following list to display the best of the best, featuring every ‘Screaming Deals’ game we scored a 9/10 or higher (in addition to one personal selection from those that didn’t quite meet the review standard, because we simply couldn’t help ourselves). Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube854k As always, if you’re aiming to snag some eShop credit before jumping in, we’ve got you sorted with the following links from our store. Please be aware that some outbound...
Read MoreThe initial of “multiple” locations outside Asia by Jim Norman 11 hours prior Image: The Pokémon Company After years of departing the pop-up store at the European International Championships and musing, “why isn’t this a lasting establishment?”, it appears our desires have at last been met. The Pokémon Company has announced today that a “permanent, physical Pokémon shop” is scheduled to open in London. The shop (not designated as a ‘Pokémon Center’ in TPC’s official announcement, intriguingly) will debut by 2029, and will provide “a range of exclusive items and unique experiences for Trainers of every age”. Exact details on where the new shop will be located in the city are not yet disclosed, though a central site seems probable — really, who wouldn’t prefer to see the M&Ms store replaced? Goodness, we UK enthusiasts have journeyed from the ExCel to the Natural History Museum in search of some merch, so wherever the permanent...
Read MoreImage: Ollie Reynolds / Nintendo Life At first glance, JSAUX’s 6-in-1 Dock for the Switch 2 is an enticing gadget. Alongside docking your console for television mode, it also features four slots to charge Joy-Con, as well as space for your Pro Controller. With a collapsible design, it serves as an excellent travel companion, and the polished display screen adds a nice little detail that will likely attract some attention. Nevertheless, there are several noticeable flaws that impede its performance. Beginning with the advantages, I appreciate the appearance of this device. JSAUX excels in minimalist design, and the 6-in-1 Dock exemplifies this exceptionally. There’s not a trace of branding on the outer shell, with the company’s logo confined to the display screen when it’s powered on. The colored Joy-Con slots — two on each side of the screen and two at the base — are color-coordinated for convenience, and the contrast with the otherwise...
Read MoreYou and Mii by Jim Norman 10 hours ago Image: Nintendo Nintendo Switch Sports Resort launches tomorrow (22nd October), and Nintendo is ensuring that the release day proceeds without a hitch by issuing its inaugural update. The ver. 1.1.0 update is currently accessible. As is typically the case with these launch-day adjustments, its intention is primarily to activate all of the online features so that everyone can engage in some non-local multiplayer straightaway. Nevertheless, the update also provides a Mii frequency modifier, where you can specify how frequently your Miis appear in offline competitive activities. The complete patch notes have only been disclosed on the Japanese Nintendo site at the time of writing, so we have included their machine translation below. We will be on the lookout for the official English translation and will update the information below once we receive it. Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube854k Nintendo Switch Sports Resort Ver. 1.1.0...
Read More(Image credit: CD Projekt Red) While progress is presently in motion for Cyberpunk 2, Cyberpunk 2077 continues to receive updates from CD Projekt Red. In the midst of discussions regarding the latest, Edgerunners-themed update, the lead developers highlight how significant mods are, to the extent that a considerable portion of the current team has been sourced from the modding community. During one of the company’s RedStreams, discussions shift toward modding and its role in shaping both Cyberpunk 2077 and its sequel. The company has collaborated with mod.io, and prominent creators have been consulted on numerous strategies to enhance the RPG, with Pawel Sasko, the current associate game director of Cyberpunk 2 and former lead of quest design for Cyberpunk 2077, disclosing that several of his colleagues originated from mod creation. “Many modders began as players who really engaged and gained skills in customizing the game with mods,” he articulates. REDstreams — Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners...
Read More[1m[43m[30m Puppeteer legacy Headless deprecation alert:[0m[33m In the imminent future `headless: true` will revert to the new Headless mode for Chrome rather than the prior Headless version. For additional details, please refer to https://developer.chrome.com/articles/new-headless/. » …Read More
Read MoreThe creator of Mass Effect and Dragon Age, BioWare, is shutting down following over 30 years as a prominent RPG developer. In a announcement released online today, studio executives affirmed that BioWare “is shutting down and initial development on the forthcoming Mass Effect title is ceasing.” This revelation follows shortly after EA was taken over by private stakeholders headed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in a transaction that raised fears of closings and layoffs similar to this situation. “There is nothing straightforward about composing those words,” BioWare’s statement mentions. “Our priority at this moment is on our exceptionally talented team who invested their passion into these games, and nurturing each other through this adjustment.” The message highlights several franchises that contemporary enthusiasts, who may recognize BioWare as the creator of Dragon Age and Mass Effect (and Anthem that one occasion), might not be aware of: “Baldur’s Gate. Neverwinter Nights. Star Wars: Knights of...
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