You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda Game Studios returned to procedural generation with Starfield, using the technology to create its large planets to mixed effect. While ProcGen technology has its ups and downs, The Wayward Realms developer OnceLost is hoping to use it to great effect in its upcoming Daggerfall successor.In a Reddit thread responding to an article about gamers move to more complex RPGs, The Wayward Realms creative producer Victor Villarreal explained that Bethesdas Starfield may have harmed the image of modern procedural generation.Did Starfield hurt ProcGens image?Speaking to fans on the Elder Scrolls subreddit, Villarreal explained that procedural generation has evolved massively since the days of Daggerfall. While games suffered back in the late 90s, the team behind The Wayward Realms believes that the technology has evolved to to tell properly crafted stories in a procedural environment.However, the games creative producer believes that their game shouldnt be lumped in with modern examples like Starfield. While Starfield does have a lot of good points, its a game that didnt use procedural generation to its benefit whereas The Wayward Realms and even Daggerfall do.Daggerfall is one of my favorite games, definitely my favorite TES title, but Starfield really has nothing in common with it, Villarreal explained. It is true that both have open worlds that feel empty but in Daggerfalls case that was due to the limitation of the technology as opposed to actual design direction as Bethesda stated many times that these planets, or at least the majority, were meant to feel empty.Alongside a procedural open world, The Wayward Realms will also include produral dungeons to keep playthroughs fresh. While some fans have taken issue at this, Villarreal explains that generated dungeons have come a long way. (Most roguelikes, such as Dead Cells or The Binding of Isaac use ProcGen dungeons to great effect.) Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Procedural dungeons would also have gone a long way in adding variety and replayability and certainly would have made the game more interesting, they explained. That being said, people will and do definitely criticize our use of procedural generation as they believe we can ONLY do the same level of procedural generation as Starfield, mostly because most games dont utilize it and the few that do, dont take advantage of any benefits it offers. Hopefully we can change some minds but it is definitely an uphill battle.The Wayward Realms is expected to launch in early access later this year. For more information on the upcoming game, check out our recent interview with Elder Scrolls co-creator and The Wayward Realms director Ted Peterson on the VideoGamer Podcast.StarfieldPlatform(s):PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Adventure, RPG, Science Fiction, SpaceSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereGrand Theft Auto 6 is the biggest and most hyped game of all time. Right now, it still has a release date window of Fall 2025, but everyone is naturally fearing a delay thanks to the lack of a second trailer combined with over a year of silence from Rockstar. Gamers and other publishers are anxiously waiting for the GTA launch day to be announced, and the good news is that a GTA 6 release update is expected to happen very soon as Take-Two get ready to report back to investors.GTA 6 release date update expected for Take-Two earnings callEveryone is praying that the GTA 6 release date will land in 2025 rather than get delayed to 2026. Take-Two has rubbished reports of a delay in the past, but everyone is anxious to know precisely when we can return to Vice City.Fans shouldnt expect the release date to be announced, however, we can expect an update at the very least. Take-Two is conducting their Q3 2025 earnings call on February 6th, and this will discuss Take-Twos financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal 2025.While Grand Theft Auto is not the focal point of this imminent call, the release of GTA 6 will most likely be brought up. Again, fans shouldnt expect a release date, but we could hear that development is progressing along smoothly and that the game is still on course to come out this year.Per Business Insider, when trailer 1 was revealed, there was a slight drop in Take-Two stock due to Grand Theft Auto 6 being announced for 2025. Further stock drops were also reported in May 2024, with the 2025 release again cited as the cause.A new Grand Theft Auto has been anticipated for over 10 years, and theres no doubt GTA 6 will make mega money when it releases. In addition to its release date, another big lingering question relates to its price. The game is predicted to make over $1 billion sales in pre-orders alone, but there are reportedly publishers who want GTA 6 to cost $100 to boost the standard price of all video games. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Hopefully we do get to return to the lush beaches and vibrant night life of Vice City this year. Fall 2025 suggests a launch between September to December, however, until the game comes out, the prospect of a delay sadly remains possible.In more Grand Theft Auto 6 news, Take-Two has explained why it isnot launching day one on PC.Grand Theft Auto 6Platform(s):PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Action, Action AdventureSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

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It's Own LeagueKingdom Come Deliverance 2 review: one of the most unique RPGs I've ever playedOther than the first Kingdom Come, I've not played a game quite like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. This is a good thing.Image credit: VG247 Review by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Feb. 3, 2025 Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 is one of the funniest games I've played in a while. I'll slap that right at the top of this review. It's a game unafraid to be crass, vulgar, and filthy. Make no mistake, though, the game is not afraid to throw political intrigue, heaps of history, and real tear-jerker moments at you. Forget Eurojank; this here is a certified Eurogem.What Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 (KCD2) actually is depends entirely on you. At it's core, its an open world historical RPG that places you in the shoes of apprentice smith and likeable everyman, Henry, as he travels with one Hans Capon to deliver a letter of great import. However, once the game lets you loose a few hours in, it blossoms into a wonderful sandbox - as all good open world RPGs should do. Be a poacher, kill game and sell hides. Be a noble scholar, debate your way out of robberies and drunken brawls. Be a wanker, permanently drunk and pickpocketing folks on the road. All welcomed, all supported through dedicated skill progression and narrative payoff. All fun, in their own ways.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In my preview I noted that KCD2 was a playground for those up to no good, and emphasised the sheer joy I felt as the game allowed me to go wild while punishing me accordingly. This was my style, poisoning wine, extorting people, constantly being told to take a bath. What I'll add in this review, without spoiling it, is the rewards and consequences for such a lifestyle are only enhanced by the game's second half. In fact, I'm confident in saying the entire game steps up to a whole other level once you leave for Kuttenberg.The reason why I go on so much about this topic in particular is because it's rare. It's hard work to make a game that's open like KCD2 while also managing to weave moral choices into the narrative, rather than toss them aside. This game not only provides the freedom for you to be whatever Henry you want, but also threads you choices into the main narrative in a way that's fulfilling. It's not something the majority of players may experience, but the fact that it is there is a testament to how thorough the devs at Warhorse were when crafting this RPG.In fact, this dedication spreads across the entire game, in almost every aspect I ran into. Assassin's Creed gets a lot of applause for adding the Discovery Tour (as it should), a separate mode that allows folks to dive into the world they as players are thrown into. KCD2 needs no mode like this, all the historical information is right there, in a dedicated tab. Henry is astounded by a water fountain, which then unlocks a dedicated info sheet on water fountains. I could boot up this game and show it to my history teacher to wonderful effect, assuming they are still alive. Exploring Kutternberg was genuinely intriguing. | Image credit: WarhorseWhen you ride on horseback and soak in the scenery, I swear to God it's like I'm actually in field in the middle of Europe. When you walk through a village, it's authentic. I can't think of another game that has nailed the world building (or dare I say, world replicating) of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The Czech Republic is head over heels for this game and it's easy to see why.It's also a deeply Czech game in terms of its sense of humour, a similar brand of jokiness and drunken slapstick you will also find held in high esteem British comedies. Henry will go from a heartfelt conversation about morality and religion, to a fist fight, to a literal wade through pig s**t within the span of 30 minutes. Both tonal elements complement each other wonderfully, creating this blend that keeps surprising you as you play. As the stakes increase, so does the hilarity, making the whole experience this downhill tumble between tense action, romance, and bizarre bollocks. All this said, I do expect a sizable portion of people will bounce right off Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. The game is not ashamed give you testing tasks, and a goal that may take two minutes in another open world RPG may take 10-20 here. Take blacksmithing. In other games, you bring the resources to a forge then bam! A new sword. In Kingdom Come Deliverance 2, you must forge the sword yourself in a mini-game of sorts that takes patience. And time. Do a bad job, and the sword will be worse. Just like real life. I spent a good deal of time just making swords and selling 'em. | Image credit: WarhorseTake archery. In other games, it's a powerful way of taking out foes from afar. In Kingdom Come, you've got no crosshair, loading a bolt into a bow takes time, and enemies will charge you when hit. It's still a strong tool in yur toolbox, but it takes skill, too. Or how about lockpicking? Lockpicking is probably the most difficult mini-game of its type I've played in a game like this. The rewards can be plentiful, but when a chest says it's hard to unlock, it's hard. Those more comfortable in a simpler, more streamlined RPG experience (hi, Fallout) may find this all a tad too taxing. That's totally fair, and in my mind a consequence of the approach Warhorse has taken with the Kingdom Come series.It's also worth noting that the game isn't shy about slowing the pace right down, sometimes with menial labour. There's one quest early on, where you've got to carry sacks from a wagon to an inn, all on your lonesome. When I first played this section, I thought it was going to cut me off after one or two. No, you get all the way to the final sack before a cinematic plays. Would you believe me if I said this is one of the nicer examples of hard labour in the game? In my mind it adds to the immersion, and the facts of life for a down-on-his-luck bloke back in Bohemia. For others, it'll be boring. You'll learn quickly whether this is a deal breaker for you.But even if you feel a touch frustrated at the busywork, I would urge players to at least finish the first map of the game. If you get to this point and still find yourself keen to play, I'm happy to say that the game truly blossoms in its second half. The best quests, narrative moments, the funniest moments, and best side characters can be found here. There's one Polish guy who I guarantee will steal the hearts of thousands. Please hang in there. There is gold buried in this game, and it's not even that hard to prospect out. Seeing Henry become a truly exciting character over time was fantastic. | Image credit: Warhorse StudiosThis game was reviewed on PC, with a code provided by Warhorse Studios. The game releases on February 4 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

A Matter Of TimeMoviegoers clearly love speedy hedgehogs more than electric rats, as Sonic 3 overtakes Detective Pikachu to become the second highest grossing video game movie everNot to pit to icons against each other, though.Image credit: Legendary Pictures/ Paramount News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 3, 2025 It looks like nothing, not even a digital release, can slow Sonic the Hedgehog 3 down, as the film is now the second highest grossing video game movie of all time.When Pokemon Detective Pikachu came out way back in 2019, it went on pretty quickly to become the highest grossing video game movie ever made. It's not like there was much quality competition, the record holder before that was the 2016 Warcraft movie which exists. That of course changed a few years later, when The Super Mario Bros. Movie made more than a billion dollars at the box office, bumping that yellow electricity rat voiced by Deadpool down to second place. Except, in the race for second place, Pikachu has seen yet another blow, as the newest contender for video game movies is Sonic the Hedgehog 3.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Over the weekend, Sonic 3 took second place on the list of highest grossing video game film adaptations, as according to Box Office Mojo it has now taken home $462 million, a whole $12 million more than Detective Pikachu's $450 million. The third Sonic film is obviously still in theatres in some places, so it could go on to earn a bit more than that, though I imagine it'll just be a trickle at this point. On top of that, the film already has its digital release (which recently confirmed that Shadow's love for telenovelas is, in fact, based on that one meme), so fans won't have as much of a reason to go see the film in the theatre now.Of course, fans of the series already have something else to look forward to, as not only was Sonic the Hedgehog 4 announced before the third film even came out, a release date for it has already been set in stone (or, as stone as any release date is these days). Sonic 3 teased just which classic character is being introduced in the fourth film, and while I won't spoil it here, they're sure to be a welcome addition to the cast - presuming they can get the casting right, too.

0:06:44 Celebrating the 500th episode: Steves return after 10 years0:10:29 Career updates: From Digital Domain to new creative ventures0:14:04 Challenges working on Cats and creative direction lessons0:20:44 Reflections on Rescue Rangers: Comedy timing and VFX challenges0:27:29 Virtual production, LED volumes, and real-time rendering discussions0:35:19 How real-time rendering affects decision-making in post-production0:42:04 The rise of AI tools in concept art and VFX workflows0:49:29 The importance of understanding the filmmaking process for VFX artists0:56:54 Balancing practical and digital effects: Lessons from large-scale projects1:07:09 Reflections on how VFX workflows have evolved over the past decade1:16:54 Final thoughts on the future of filmmaking and Steves upcoming work

Image: NintendoIt's time for another look at the UK charts and, with 2025 well underway, new releases are coming thick and fast to shake things up.It's Sniper Elite: Resistance that has taken the top spot in its debut week this time, pushing last week's champ, Black Ops 6, down into third and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD all the way down to seventh.The Nintendo familiar faces still dominate the top 10, mind you, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Party Jamboree, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Nintendo Switch Sports putting up a good fight.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube Here's a look at this week's full top 40, with platform breakdowns for all of the titles available on other consoles as well as the Switch:Last WeekThis WeekGamePlatform SplitNEW1Sniper Elite: Resistance22Mario Kart 8 Deluxe13Call of Duty: Black Ops 644Super Mario Party Jamboree65Minecraft86Grand Theft Auto V37Donkey Kong Country Returns HD98Animal Crossing: New Horizons109Nintendo Switch Sports1110Super Mario Bros. Wonder1611EA Sports FC 25PS5 46%, Switch 29%, PS4 18%, Xbox Series 7%1412Sonic X Shadow GenerationsSwitch 48%, PS5 32%, Xbox Series 12%, PS4 8%1313Just Dance 2024 EditionSwitch 97%, PS5 3%1814Hogwarts LegacySwitch 46%, PS5 24%, PS4 15%, Xbox Series 11%2115Astro Bot2216WWE 2K242917Super Mario Odyssey3018Red Dead RedemptionPS4 61%, Switch 39%3219Black Myth: Wukong2620The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Complete Edition2821The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom2722Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker SagaPS5 71%, Switch 15%, PS4 9%, Xbox Series 5%2423The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom2324Dark Souls Trilogy-25Life is Strange: Double ExposureSwitch 96%, PS5 3%, Xbox Series 0%3826Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle2527Red Dead Redemption 23728Super Smash Bros. Ultimate1229LEGO Harry Potter CollectionSwitch 67%, PS5 20%, PS4 12%, Xbox Series 1%-30Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 23331Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive EditionPS4 44%, Switch 38%, Xbox Series 18%3132Crash Bandicoot N.Sane TrilogySwitch 89%, PS4 10%, Xbox One 1%-33New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe-34Dead Island 2-35Cry Babies Magic Tears: The Big GameSwitch 55%, PS4 23%, PS5 22%1936Disney Epic Mickey: RebrushedSwitch 60%, PS5 40%, Xbox Series 5%3437Pokmon Scarlet3638Pokmon Violet-39Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade-40Minecraft: PlayStation Edition[Compiled by GfK]< Last week's charts Un-ape-peelingDid you pick up anything new this week? Let us know what you think of the latest charts in the comments below.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:01 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related Articles69 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Supercharge' eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higherRandom: Local Supermarket Wins Trademark Battle Against NintendoIt didn't expect to beat "such a commercial monster"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March

Missed the 2-for-1 deal for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025? No problem! Super Early Bird prices are still available, with savings of up to $1,130 on individual tickets and up to 30% on group passes. These savings are only good until the end of this month.Celebrate 20 years of TechCrunch Disrupt from October 27-29 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Connect with 10,000+ tech leaders, 250+ sessions, and 200+ experts, and experience the legendary Startup Battlefield 200. Also, get ready for next-level AI insights.Heres whats in store at Disrupt 2025AI deep dives: Dive into AI content covering industries like healthcare, transportation, SaaS, policy, defense, hardware, and more.Expert insights: Hear from 200+ leaders discussing business scaling, leadership, and sectors like space tech, fintech, and SaaS to help propel you and your business growth.Interactive sessions: Participate in breakouts for live Q&A or go deeper in small-group discussions with expert-led roundtables.Startup pitch showdown: Watch startups that were handpicked by TechCrunch face off in Startup Battlefield 200 for the $100,000 equity-free prize and the Disrupt Cup. Learn from top VC judges on what makes a viable business. Past champions include names like Dropbox, Fitbit, Cloudflare, and many more.Build valuable connections: Meet the leaders shaping the tech world. Whether youre networking with investors, seeking mentorship, or discovering future business partners, Disrupt is where it all happens.Be a part of Disrupt 2025 get your passes at unbeatable prices before they go up.Image Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunchImage Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunchDriving 20 years of innovationTechCrunch Disrupt has spent 20 years uniting trailblazing founders, visionary tech leaders, and key investors to inspire the future of entrepreneurship. Its where investors meet the leaders redefining the tech landscape of tomorrow.Among the industry trailblazers whove graced the Disrupt stage are:Alex Pall and Drew Taggart from The Chainsmokers, Co-founders and Partners, Mantis Venture CapitalAshton Kutcher, Co-founder, Sound VenturesAssaf Rappaport, Co-founder and CEO, WizBridgit Mendler, CEO, Northwood SpaceColin Kaepernick, Founder and CEO, LumiDenise Dresser, CEO, SlackErin and Sara Foster, Co-founders and General Partners, Oversubscribed VenturesMary Barra, CEO, General MotorsMatt Mullenweg, Co-founder, WordPress and CEO, AutomatticPeter Beck, Founder and CEO, Rocket LabSerena Williams, Founder and Managing Partner, Serena VenturesShaquille ONeal, Entrepreneur and PhilanthropistVinod Khosla, Founder, Khosla VenturesWassym Bensaid, CSO, RivianImage Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch / Getty ImagesImage Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunchLock in the lowest Disrupt 2025 ticket prices of the yearDont miss out on up to $1,130 in savings! Get your Super Early Bird ticket today while this offer lasts through February. Register here to lock in the lowest rates of the year.Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

In BriefPosted:7:51 AM PST February 3, 2025Image Credits:Universal Archive/Universal Images Group / Getty ImagesThe Beatles won a Grammy last night, thanks to AIThe Beatles AI-assisted track Now and Then won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance on Sunday night, marking the first time that a song of its kind has taken home the award.No, Paul McCartney did not use AI to create some creepy LennonGPT bot. Instead, he used noise reduction systems to clean up a decades-old, low quality piano demo from his late bandmate. This technology is similar to what video call providers like Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Meet use to block out unwanted background noise and deliver a clearer sound.The surviving Beatles first tried to fix up on Lennons demo in the 90s, but the technology available at the time couldnt quite extract Lennons muffled vocals. In 2022, after learning how the filmmakers behind archival Beatles documentary Get Back were using new audio isolation techniques to make poorly recorded demos listenable, they revisited Now and Then.Topics

Breakdown & ShowreelsWicked: Environments Breakdown by ILMBy Vincent Frei - 03/02/2025 Emerald City like youve never seen it before! The visual effects crafted by ILM transport you straight into the heart of Wicked. Watch this deep dive into the films breathtaking environments!WANT TO KNOW MORE?ILM: Dedicated page about Wicked on ILM website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025