Bandai Namco revealed the release date of @ELDENRING Nightreign, the standalone co-op action survival game set in the Elden Ring universe. A large-scale Network Test has been scheduled for this coming weekend: https://80.lv/articles/elden-ring-nightreign-is-coming-this-may-network-test-starts-soon/

Perfectly embodying the idiom about the pot calling the kettle black, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick ousted shortly after Microsofts acquisition of the gaming giant has declared ex-Electronic Arts and Unity boss John Riccitiello the worst CEO the video game industry has ever seen during the latest episode of Kleiner Perkins Grit podcast.Speaking to podcast host Joubin Mirzadegan and Kleiner Perkins advisor and former EA CCO Bing Gordon, Kotick revealed that during his time at Activision Blizzard, the company always feared that Gordon might rise to the position of EAs head honcho so much so that they would have paid for Riccitiello to stay a CEO forever.Kotick went on to reveal that they thought he was the worst CEO in video games, and given that its Bobby Kotick were talking about, its almost certain that he isnt giving Riccitiello this title because of the declining quality of EA games back then, the introduction of microtransactions in the late 2000s and early 2010s, or the companys poor treatment of employees, and instead, his judgment stems from EAs disappointing financial performance at the time one of the main reasons Riccitiello resigned in the first place.While I doubt anyone in our audience would rush to defend Riccitiello whether for his time at EA or, more notably, his tenure as CEO of Unity Technologies, where the fallout from his profit-first mindset is still being felt its undeniably ironic to hear Bobby Kotick of all people criticizing him. After all, the two share many similarities, the most glaring being what Id like to call B2B thinking: a relentless drive to maximize profits while relying exclusively on analytics, graphs, and input from other high-level executives, all while completely disregarding the human element and the wishes of ones own customers the very people willing to pay for ones products.As a result, both CEOs have lost their positions, Unity is in shambles recently undergoing yet another round of layoffs, and its engine falling behind Unreal Engine in 2024 in terms of how much profit it has brought to its users and Activision Blizzard has become, in the eyes of many, a shell of its former self, with its latest major releases either drowning in negative reviews, fading into irrelevance, or both, and only the companys name and Microsoft behind its back saving it from total bankruptcy. With that in mind, Kotick calling Riccitiello the worst CEO of all time reminds me of a certain 2004 episode from a certain satirical animated TV show, leaving one to wonder which of the two is actually worse.And what do you think about Koticks remark? Who would you call the worst CEO of the gaming world of all time? Leave your thoughts in the comments!Dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Bobby Kotick Calls Former EA & Unity Chief the Worst CEO in Video Games appeared first on CG SHARES.

Sony had plenty of games to show off during the State of Play livestream, and Tides of Annihilation looks like it'll offer an intriguing mix of souls-like action and Arthurian legend. Developed by Chinese studio Eclipse Glow Games, Tides of Annihilation is set in a devastated version of modern-day London following a cataclysmic otherworldly invasion.As a survivor of the Avalon incursion, the protagonist Gwendolyn discovers that she has unlocked the power to summon the legendary Knights of the Round Table. Hellbent on saving her sister, she embarks on a quest to defeat the demigods of Avalon. Eclipse Glow Games says that Tales of Annihilation is inspired by classic action games and that players will get to explore both London and the realm of Avalon. Gwendolyn will be able to draw upon the power of 10 distinct Spectral Knights, mixing their abilities to create a custom fighting style. As you'd expect from a game with souls-like influences, there'll be dozens of bosses to face off against and each one will require a different strategy to defeat.Continue Reading at GameSpot

As part of Sony's State of Play event, the company made a series of announcements about games coming to PlayStation Plus this month and beyond.To begin with, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Top Spin 2K25, and Lost Records: Bloom and Rage are coming to the PlayStation Plus Extra catalog on February 18.Then at some point in the spring, Sony is bringing Blue Prince to PlayStation Plus as a day-one launch title, with Abiotic Factor coming this summer, also as a launch title. There are more PlayStation Classics coming, too. These include Armored Core, Armored Core Master of Arena, and Armored Core Project Phantasma.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Unique Relics in Path of Exile 2 are a way to earn special rewards by making the Trial of the Sekhemas harder. Only by defeating Zarokh, the Temporal, the final boss on the fourth floor of the trial with a Unique Relic equipped, can players obtain these rewards. Best of all? They are guaranteed drops, unlike basically everything else in the game.

The Legend of Zelda has been one of the most dominant forces in the industry for nearly 40 years, but the last two mainline entries have altered the series in some pretty significant ways. Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom took the franchise into a new direction, abandoning many of the tropes and concepts that defined the series. Zelda has routinely tapped into classic fantasy tropes, utilizing them in innovative ways in order to create its unique worlds, but recent entries have taken inspiration from contemporaries like Dark Souls, favoring a low-key approach over the traditional elements from the past.

The wait is finally over. This is Yang Bing, as the creator of Lost Soul Aside, I couldnt be more excited to share some big newsour action RPG will officially launch on PlayStation 5 and PC on May 30, 2025! What started as a one-person dream (me, a computer, and endless late nights) has evolved into a sprawling adventure full of breathtaking visuals and adrenaline-pumping combat.Let me take you behind the scenes to explore the heart, soul, and sweat poured into this game. Whether youre here for the stylish combat or the gripping story, theres plenty to dive into. Lets get started!Play VideoA world that lives and breathesCreating the world of Lost Soul Aside was like painting with imagination on a sci-fi fantasy canvas. Youll traverse landscapes that feel alive: sunlit plains, mysterious ancient ruins, and alternate dimensions that buzz with energy. This world isnt just eye candyits filled with secrets, monsters, and unpredictable events that keep you interested.But lets talk about what really defines the experiencecombat.Combat that packs a punchMy goal was simple: make combat so fluid, fast, and stylish that you never want to put the controller down. Kasers shape-shifting weapon adapts to your combat style. Are you a precise swordsman? A fan of devastating ranged attacks? Maybe you like high-speed mobility? Whatever your preference, the different type of weapons will serve you well.One standout moment during development was designing the boss battles. The fight with a towering dragon remains one of my personal favorites. It challenges you to juggle aerial dodges, perfectly timed counters, and relentless strikes. Not to mention, its a visual feast that feels like being part of your own epic action movie.Beneath the flashy moves, theres depth for players who love to experiment. You can customize loadouts, chain synergistic combos, and strategize with Arena, Kasers dragon-like companion. His abilities arent just supporttheyre game-changers, turning tough battles in your favor when used wisely.From moment-to-moment clashes with enemies to massive set-piece battles, combat in Lost Soul Aside is designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, pushing your skills to the limit while rewarding creativity and precision.A story close to my heartWhile combat takes center stage, Lost Soul Aside also weaves in a narrative about Kasers journey of redemption and discovery. As he uncovers the truth about Arena and their shared power, players will encounter a mix of personal challenges and high-stakes conflicts. The story focuses on creating memorable moments and connections, offering surprises without overwhelming the gameplay experience. And yes, theres plenty of drama, because who doesnt love a good gasp-worthy moment?Made for PlayStationLost Soul Aside was built with PlayStation in mind, and Im thrilled about the enhancements weve implemented:Lightning-fast load times: With the PS5 SSD, youll transition seamlessly between exploration and combat.DualSense controller magic: Feel the tension of every blade swing with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.4K eye candy: The world comes alive in stunning detail with dynamic lighting and meticulously crafted environments.PC players, dont worrythe game is fully optimized to deliver smooth performance and retains all the core gameplay features.Pre-order bonuses and Deluxe EditionWere excited to reveal the exclusive rewards for those who jump in early:Pre-Order Bonuses:Kasers original outfit from the games earliest reveal, giving players a nostalgic look back at how it all began.A starter pack of in-game currency to help you kick off your adventure.A bundle of healing potions, perfect for those challenging early game battles.Get your hands on the standard edition (Digital/Disc) of Lost Soul Aside for SGD 79.90 / MYR 249 / IDR 879,000 / THB 1,990 / PHP 2,990 / VND 1,499,000 SRP. There will also be a Digital Deluxe Edition of the game.The Digital Deluxe edition of Lost Soul Aside (SGD 97.90 / MYR 299 / IDR 1,029,000 / THB 2,290 SRP) will include the game, all the pre-order incentives, as well as Arenas exclusive golden outfit, three unique weapon fragment skins, two in-game accessories that provide useful boosts for your journey, a Digital Soundtrack and Artbook.Dont miss out on these extrastheyre a heartfelt thank-you to everyone supporting us from the start.Save the dateLost Soul Aside will launch on May 30 2025 on PS5 and PC. Pre-orders will open on February 20, and you can secure your copy on PlayStation Store and PC storefronts.This journey has been incredible, and Im beyond excited for you to step into Kaser and Arenas world. Thank you for your support through all the ups and downs of development. Now, its almost time to see what Lost Soul Aside is all about. Until then, happy gaming!

Today we are very proud to announce that Saros is coming to PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro in 2026.Saros is the ultimate evolution of the Housemarque gameplay-first experience.Please watch our Cinematic Announce trailer here to see whats next from us.Play VideoAfter Returnal we knew we had created something special and award-winning, but we also knew we wanted Returnal to stand on its own. With this in mind, we decided to create a new IP which evolves our deep third-person action and mysterious storytelling.Saros is an action game with the haunting story of a lost off-world colony on Carcosa under an ominous eclipse. You play as Arjun Devraj, a powerful Soltari Enforcer who will stop at nothing to find who he is looking for. Our goal is to create an emotional and powerful character study that explores the cost it takes to create a new future.Arjun is performed by Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher). Rahul is truly bringing Arjun to life in a stunning performance. He has been a brilliant collaborator to tell our story and champion for the game. He is also not alone on Carcosa, and we will reveal more of our fantastic ensemble npc cast and story information ahead.A key gameplay distinction between Saros and Returnal is permanent resources and progression making every death valuable. After every death you will face a changed world, but in Saros you will be able to choose and permanently upgrade your loadout from an evolving set of weapons and suit upgrades to come back stronger to overcome the challenges you face on Carcosa.We cannot wait to share more about our gameplay, art, audio, music, technology, story, how we push the PS5 console hardware and more from everyone working on Saros.Expect our first look at extended gameplay later this year.Saros is the next single-player action game from Housemarque and our amazing collaborators.This is a dream project made by a dream team.Thanks for reading!

Overboard!, a narrative-heavy adventure title about killing your husband with a well-timed shove at sea and getting away with it, was one of my favorite games of 2021. Developer Inkle has announced a sequel of sorts called Expelled!, which is described in an announcement on Bluesky as an Overboard! game. Expelled! has a similar premise, but with a crucial twist. The game takes place in 1922 at a top boarding school, where someone has shoved a prefect out of a window to their death.For some reason, everyone at Miss Mulligatawneys School for Promising Girls suspects Verity Amersham, a scholarship student who must prove her innocence or find a convincing target toblame. ANNOUNCING: Expelled! an Overboard! game!Verity Amersham is a scholarship girl at a top boarding school. But someone's pushed a Prefect out of a window & everyone says it was her!She has one day to clear her name or find someone to take the fall. MARCH 12th tinyurl.com/vj5rhnwj inkle (@inkle.co) 2025-02-12T17:53:56.476ZA main feature of Overboard! is a time loop that allows the protagonist to learn from past mistakes and prepare her plan for the next round. Expelled! seems similarly repeatable, with one playthrough lasting somewhere between 30 to 45 minutes. Another intriguing part of the game is that morality opens up new options. The more evil Verity is, the more options she has at her disposal and when you only have a day to escape expulsion, taking those evil options will likely be very tempting.Verity is voiced by Amelia Tyler, the narrator of Baldurs Gate 3, who is capable of playing either a pious schoolgirl or a stone cold sociopath. Itll be fascinating to see just how dark the story can get.Expelled! is set to release on Steam on March 12.

Kendrick Lamars riveting, incisive Super Bowl performance is likely to go down in history for many reasons, not the least of which is that it was the most watched halftime show of all time. It was a sharp contrast against what the Super Bowls entertainment interval used to look like for instance, three decades ago, when it was devoted not to a blockbuster artist, or a tribute to the host citys music scene, but instead to Indiana Jones.Let me give you some context: My friends and I recently tracked down decades worth of previous Super Bowl halftime shows on YouTube in order to rate and rank them for fun. We had a blast rediscovering shows wed loved, and watching performances wed never seen before. I highly recommend getting a group of friends together to revisit them. Somehow 2004 was even worse than we remembered! Diana Ross leaves her performance in a freakin helicopter!We also saw firsthand the way the halftime show evolved from the kind of marching-band performance youd see at a college game (albeit with a slightly bigger budget), into the mass entertainment extravaganza it is today. The crux of the issue was that broadcasters (and advertisers!) needed the halftime show to be enough of a draw that viewers wouldnt channel surf during the break and never return: Winter Magic wasnt going to cut it anymore.Even with the need to pivot toward more popular entertainment, an Indiana Jones stunt show now seems like an odd choice for the 1995 Super Bowl, especially since the franchises third (and at the time, final) movie had hit theaters in 1989. But Indiana Jones was a multimedia property in that era. Two seasons of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles aired from 1992-93, sometimes in the time slot right before Monday Night Football. A series of four TV movies followed, with one a year coming out from 1994 to 1996. In 1995, Disney was also just a few months from opening a new Disneyland theme park ride: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. That made the Super Bowl a perfect chance for some corporate synergy.The 1995 show didnt completely leave musical acts behind: Between action set pieces with Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood fighting to recover the stolen Lombardi Trophy, Tony Bennett and Patti LaBelle serenaded the crowd. The show culminates with the entire cast singing Can You Feel the Love Tonight from Disneys The Lion King, released a year earlier.Overall, the stunt choreography is a strangely good match for the spectacle of halftime, though the show is problematic in all the ways Indiana Jones always has been. If youd like to know more about how this Super Bowl halftime show happened (and about the tragedy at the 1996 halftime show, which makes it unlikely well ever see another halftime stunt spectacular), check out Bleacher Reports excellent deep dive on the show.