FX's highly acclaimed hit series The Bear returns to Hulu in June for its fourth season, picking up right after the events of season three, when Carmy received the Chicago Tribune's review of his fine-dining restaurant. The main cast—Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri, to name a few—are reprising their roles in pushing The Bear forward. All 10 episodes will drop on June 25. Call Her Alex (June 10) is a Hulu original docuseries following "Call Her Daddy" podcast host Alex Cooper in preparation for her first tour with a behind-the-scenes look at the events that shaped her journey. Similarly, Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything (June 23) uses archival footage to explore Walters' life and career as a journalist and host in a male-dominated industry. On the film side, The Actor (June 30) is a crime mystery based on Donald E. Westlake's novel "Memory," starring Andre Holland as an actor with memory loss and Gemma Chan as a costume designer in the small town he ends up in. Predator: Killer of Killers (June 6) is an animated action/adventure and Hulu original set in the Predator universe. Here’s everything else coming to (and leaving) Hulu in June. What’s coming to Hulu in June 2025Arriving June 1Adam (2019) Alien (1979) Alien 3 (1992) Alien Resurrection (1997)Alien vs. Predator (2004)Alien: Covenant (2017)Aliens (1986) Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)Beasts Of The Southern Wild (2012)Before Midnight (2013)Betsy's Wedding (1990)Beverly Hills Ninja (1997)Big Eden (2000) Big Fish (2003)The Big Hit (1998)Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)Blue Jasmine (2013)Boy Meets Girl (2014) Breakin' All the Rules (2004)The Bronze (2016)Bubble Boy (2001)Bugsy (1991)Cedar Rapids (2011)The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader (2010)Cold Pursuit (2019)Cyrus (2010)Daddy Day Care (2003)Death on the Nile (2022)Deja Vu (2006)Delivery Man (2013)Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)Edge of Tomorrow (2014)Elena Undone (2010) Freddy Got Fingered (2001)The Girl Next Door (2004)Grown Ups (2010)Grown Ups 2 (2013)Happy Gilmore (1996)The Heat (2013)Hitchcock (2012)Hurricane Bianca (2016) Idiocracy (2006)Independence Day (1996)The Joy Luck Club (1993)Just Go With It (2011)Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)Let's Be Cops (2014)Loving Annabelle (2006) Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (2018)Mamma Mia! (2008)The Mask (1994)Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015)Mirrors (2008)The Namesake (2007)A Perfect Ending (2012) Pineapple Express (2008)Predator (1987)The Predator (2018)Predator 2 (1990)Predators (2010)Pride + Prejudice + Zombies (2016)Prometheus (2012)Reno 911! Miami: The Movie (2007)Sordid Lives (2000) 28 Weeks Later (2007)The War of the Roses (1989)We're The Millers (2013)Working Girl (1988)You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2008)Arriving June 3I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)The Quiz With Balls: Season 2 PremiereSo I'm a Spider, So What?: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)Wise Man's Grandchild: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)Yuri on Ice: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)Presence (2025)Arriving June 4The Great House Revival: Complete Season 5Arriving June 5National Anthem (2023) Arriving June 6Not Her First Rodeo: Complete Season 1 Predator: Killer of Killers: Film PremiereBorat: Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation … (2006)Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)Hot Shots! (1991)Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)Shallow Hal (2001)The Ringer (2005)Arriving June 7Gypsy's Revenge: Complete Season 1I (Almost) Got Away With It: Complete Season 3Kids Baking Championship: Complete Season 12Murder in the Heartland: Complete Season 1Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing: Complete Season 1Sister Wives: Complete Season 12Arriving June 8Scream (2022) Arriving June 9Beyblade X: Season 1BArriving June 10Call Her Alex: Complete DocuseriesAnd Then We Danced (2019)Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)Arriving June 11The Snake: Series PremiereGran Turismo (2023)Arriving June 12The 1% Club: Season 2 PremiereArriving June 13Atsuko Okatsuka: Father: Special PremiereAbsolution (2024)Arriving June 1490 Day Fiance: Complete Season 590 Day Fiance UK: Complete Season 2Guy's Grocery Games: Complete Seasons 32 & 33I'd Kill For You: Complete Season 3Joel McHale: Live from Pyongyang (2019)Arriving June 16My Happy Ending: Complete Season 1 (Sub)Black Christmas (2019)Arriving June 17SALLY (2025)Skincare (2024)Arriving June 19The Quiet Ones (2024) Arriving June 20The Bravest Knight: Season 2BOut Come the Wolves (2024) Arriving June 23Barbara Walters Tell Me Everything: Documentary PremiereHelck: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)My Isekai Life : Complete Season 1 (Dubbed & Subbed)Arriving June 24Survive (2024)Arriving June 25FX's The Bear: Complete Season 4Arriving June 27F*ck Marry Kill (2024)Arriving June 29The Bachelor: Complete Seasons 27 & 28Arriving June 30Boonie Bears: Time Twist (2024)Texas True Crime: Complete Season 5The Actor (2025)What’s leaving Hulu in June 2025Leaving June 1Christmas with the Campbells (2022)Leaving June 2The Amazing Maurice (2022)Leaving June 4Intrigo: Dear Agnes (2019)Leaving June 8Indemnity (2021)Leaving June 10Here Before (2021)Warhunt (2022)Leaving June 11Intrigo: Samaria (2019)Leaving June 13The Worst Person in the World (2021)Leaving June 17Ted K (2021)The Ledge (2022)Leaving June 22The Burning Sea (2021)Leaving June 24Big Gold Brick (2022)Gasoline Alley (2022)Leaving June 25The Desperate Hour (2022)Leaving June 30Transfusion (2023)

A familiar refrain over the last few years has been the death of what we like to call AA games: mid-budget games made by mid-sized teams. AA games have production values that are comparable with AAA blockbusters — you know: full voice acting, cinematic cutscenes, fancy 3D graphics — and occupy similar genres, but tend to have a more modest scope and realistic set of ambitions. They used to be the industry’s stock-in-trade, until they were squeezed out by an exploding indie scene on one side and risk-averse publishers’ focus on mega-budget sure bets on the other. Now they’re an endangered species. Or are they? A post on the gaming forum ResetEra recently alerted me to something interesting. The two best-reviewed games of 2025 so far (alongside the indie darling Blue Prince) – and the two leading front-runners for Game of the Year at The Game Awards in December — are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Split Fiction. These both retail for $50 — not the industry-standard $60 or the increasingly widespread premium price point of $70 (never mind Nintendo’s decision to break the $80 taboo with Mario Kart World). The poster framed this as a triumph of fair pricing over the greed and bloat of AAA gaming. Personally, I’m wary of constructing critical arguments around pricing and value — not least because paying more for our games is an arguably necessary, if painful, counter-measure if the game industry is to survive inflation, skyrocketing development costs, and stalling growth in the gaming audience. But it’s also true that accepting more expensive games that take even longer to make isn’t the only path to sustainability for gaming. Alternatively, we could reframe our expectations for the scope and technical specifications of the games we play, and the sheer amount of labor that goes into making them. As the meme puts it: “I want shorter games with worse graphics made by people who are paid more to work less and I’m not kidding.” That sounds like a description of a AA game to me. Well, maybe not the “paid more to work less” part — certainly not in the category’s 2000s heyday — but even this might have room to change as new publishing and development models emerge. Consider Clair Obscur and Split Fiction. Neither can really be called an indie game, but they’re both made on the outskirts of the traditional publishing system. Clair Obscur is the debut game of Sandfall Interactive, an independent French studio founded by Ubisoft veterans. It has a team of about 30 people, supported by outside contractors. The game was funded and released by Kepler Interactive, a young, hungry publisher that was itself founded by a coalition of indie studios. Split Fiction is more of an establishment release, but only kind of. It was bankrolled by industry giant Electronic Arts. But its Swedish developer Hazelight (team size: around 80) is fully independent, and like Hazelight’s previous games, Split Fiction was published under the EA Originals label in an arms-length relationship that gives the developer full creative control. I don’t know what the working conditions are like at Sandfall and Hazelight, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were better than the industry norm. That’s one thing that sets these two releases apart from the AA games of old. Another is their critical reception. The AA classics of the past — games like Second Sight, Stranglehold, or The Darkness — were good, but seldom considered great in their time. They were enjoyably pulpy genre efforts that mostly stayed in their lanes, and were gently penalised by reviewers for their lack of ambition. Clair Obscur and Split Fiction, however, have both enjoyed universal acclaim, reflected in 90-plus ratings on both Metacritic and Opencritic. Review scores like these are usually reserved for AAA blockbusters, expensive first-party vanity projects, and mold-breaking indies. (And Nintendo games, which arguably often fit the AA template, but that’s an argument for another time.) It’s very unusual for mid-budget productions like these to resonate with reviewers in this way — although perhaps a bit less unusual as time goes on. You can argue that last year’s acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio belongs in this category, and even 2023 GOTY winner Baldur’s Gate 3. The two new games succeed for different reasons. Split Fiction is laser-focused on a style of gameplay – split-screen, co-operative gaming for two players – that’s very popular, but underserved by the industry. (Hazelight’s previous game, It Takes Two, has sold an astonishing 20 million copies.) Split Fiction stands out just by executing this rare breed of game very well. Clair Obscur resurrects a AAA genre of the past — basically, the turn-based Final Fantasy games of the 2000s — with a more modest scope and a strongly individual flavor in its writing and artwork. It feels both nostalgic and fresh. But, more broadly, the games do have something in common. Unencumbered by the need to be huge, or to appeal to the widest possible audience, they’re both able to give players something specific that they crave and that the mainstream gaming industry isn’t giving them. And they do so in a gaming vernacular that looks almost indistinguishable from a full-blooded AAA release. That’s why they’re resonating so strongly with critics and players. In the game industry’s current crisis of sustainability, it’s heartening that AA games are having a moment and earning a respectability that they’ve never enjoyed before. If Split Fiction or Clair Obscur is crowned Game of the Year at The Game Awards in December — which, following Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay, is quite possible, perhaps even likely — we’ll know for sure that the AA comeback is happening at last.

If you’re a die-hard fan of Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima, you might still be able to enjoy ideas from the acclaimed game developer for decades to come. Kojima, now 60, built up his reputation by writing, directing, and producing seminal titles like the stealth shooter Metal Gear series, as well as more recent AAA titles like 2019’s Death Stranding. Kojima told the game magazine Edge earlier this week that he gave his personal assistant “a USB stick with all my ideas on it,” calling it "kind of like a will." He added, "Perhaps they could continue to make things after I’m gone at Kojima Productions," so the company doesn't simply "manage our existing IP" after his death.The game industry elder statesman is still coming up with left-field ideas to this day. In a Japanese radio interview last week (translated by IGN), Kojima floated the idea of a new video game where the player character "forgets" his skills and abilities if the real-life player steps away from his controller for too long.Recommended by Our EditorsKojima tells Edge that he's thinking more about mortality and his legacy after contracting a serious illness during the pandemic, and having to undergo eye surgery. "Wait, how many years do I have left to make a game or a film?" he asked. "Perhaps I have 10 years?"Kojima said he had even considered a late-career transition to making films, an early childhood dream of his, but said he was talked out of it by Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro and Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn, who advised him to “stick to video games.”But despite all the talk of death, the director still has plenty of irons in the fire. He’s currently pegged to write, produce, and direct OD, an upcoming Xbox exclusive themed on fear, which he told The Verge in 2023 would be "a totally new style of game." His studio is also thought to be developing a new stealth action game known as Physint. Neither has a firm release date.His latest game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is planned for release on June 24.

A familiar refrain over the last few years has been the death of what we like to call AA games: mid-budget games made by mid-sized teams. AA games have production values that are comparable with AAA blockbusters — you know: full voice acting, cinematic cutscenes, fancy 3D graphics — and occupy similar genres, but tend to have a more modest scope and realistic set of ambitions. They used to be the industry’s stock-in-trade, until they were squeezed out by an exploding indie scene on one side and risk-averse publishers’ focus on mega-budget sure bets on the other. Now they’re an endangered species.Or are they?A post on the gaming forum ResetEra recently alerted me to something interesting. The two best-reviewed games of 2025 so far (alongside the indie darling Blue Prince) – and the two leading front-runners for Game of the Year at The Game Awards in December — are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Split Fiction. These both retail for $50 — not the industry-standard $60 or the increasingly widespread premium price point of $70 (never mind Nintendo’s decision to break the $80 taboo with Mario Kart World). The poster framed this as a triumph of fair pricing over the greed and bloat of AAA gaming.Personally, I’m wary of constructing critical arguments around pricing and value — not least because paying more for our games is an arguably necessary, if painful, counter-measure if the game industry is to survive inflation, skyrocketing development costs, and stalling growth in the gaming audience.But it’s also true that accepting more expensive games that take even longer to make isn’t the only path to sustainability for gaming. Alternatively, we could reframe our expectations for the scope and technical specifications of the games we play, and the sheer amount of labor that goes into making them. As the meme puts it: “I want shorter games with worse graphics made by people who are paid more to work less and I’m not kidding.”Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Image: Sandfall Interactive/Kepler Interactive via PolygonThat sounds like a description of a AA game to me. Well, maybe not the “paid more to work less” part — certainly not in the category’s 2000s heyday — but even this might have room to change as new publishing and development models emerge.Consider Clair Obscur and Split Fiction. Neither can really be called an indie game, but they’re both made on the outskirts of the traditional publishing system. Clair Obscur is the debut game of Sandfall Interactive, an independent French studio founded by Ubisoft veterans. It has a team of about 30 people, supported by outside contractors. The game was funded and released by Kepler Interactive, a young, hungry publisher that was itself founded by a coalition of indie studios.Split Fiction is more of an establishment release, but only kind of. It was bankrolled by industry giant Electronic Arts. But its Swedish developer Hazelight (team size: around 80) is fully independent, and like Hazelight’s previous games, Split Fiction was published under the EA Originals label in an arms-length relationship that gives the developer full creative control. I don’t know what the working conditions are like at Sandfall and Hazelight, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were better than the industry norm.That’s one thing that sets these two releases apart from the AA games of old. Another is their critical reception. The AA classics of the past — games like Second Sight, Stranglehold, or The Darkness — were good, but seldom considered great in their time. They were enjoyably pulpy genre efforts that mostly stayed in their lanes, and were gently penalised by reviewers for their lack of ambition.Split Fiction. Image: Hazelight Studios/Electronic ArtsClair Obscur and Split Fiction, however, have both enjoyed universal acclaim, reflected in 90-plus ratings on both Metacritic and Opencritic. Review scores like these are usually reserved for AAA blockbusters, expensive first-party vanity projects, and mold-breaking indies. (And Nintendo games, which arguably often fit the AA template, but that’s an argument for another time.) It’s very unusual for mid-budget productions like these to resonate with reviewers in this way — although perhaps a bit less unusual as time goes on. You can argue that last year’s acclaimed Metaphor: ReFantazio belongs in this category, and even 2023 GOTY winner Baldur’s Gate 3.The two new games succeed for different reasons. Split Fiction is laser-focused on a style of gameplay – split-screen, co-operative gaming for two players – that’s very popular, but underserved by the industry. (Hazelight’s previous game, It Takes Two, has sold an astonishing 20 million copies.) Split Fiction stands out just by executing this rare breed of game very well. Clair Obscur resurrects a AAA genre of the past — basically, the turn-based Final Fantasy games of the 2000s — with a more modest scope and a strongly individual flavor in its writing and artwork. It feels both nostalgic and fresh.But, more broadly, the games do have something in common. Unencumbered by the need to be huge, or to appeal to the widest possible audience, they’re both able to give players something specific that they crave and that the mainstream gaming industry isn’t giving them. And they do so in a gaming vernacular that looks almost indistinguishable from a full-blooded AAA release. That’s why they’re resonating so strongly with critics and players.In the game industry’s current crisis of sustainability, it’s heartening that AA games are having a moment and earning a respectability that they’ve never enjoyed before. If Split Fiction or Clair Obscur is crowned Game of the Year at The Game Awards in December — which, following Grand Theft Auto 6’s delay, is quite possible, perhaps even likely — we’ll know for sure that the AA comeback is happening at last.See More:

News Nintendo of America President Assures Enough Supply to Meet Switch 2 Demand in the US "We do have a plan to have a continuous flow of product that'll be available through the holidays,” assured Doug Bowser. Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 18th, May. 2025 Despite backlash to video game pricing and features like Game Chat, the hype for the Nintendo Switch 2 is strong. Such is the demand that Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa had to apologize for shortages in the My Nintendo Store for those who applied via a lottery in Japan. While the company forecasts 15 million units sold for the current fiscal year (ending on March 31st, 2026), Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser told IGN this was driven by matching the Switch’s initial ten months on the market. As for the future, he believes the company will have enough production and supply to meet demand. “[Nintendo President] Mr. [Shuntaro] Furukawa last week announced that we’ll have 15 million units in our forecast for Nintendo Switch 2 and 4.5 million units for Nintendo Switch during the fiscal year. “That forecast was really driven by wanting to match, if you will, what we accomplished with Nintendo Switch in the first 10 months of its release. As we look at our plans here in the U.S., we do believe we’ll have production and supply that will allow us to meet consumer demand. “We know there’s been strong positive reaction to Nintendo Switch 2 early on, and we’ve seen that through our preorders, but we do have a plan to have a continuous flow of product that’ll be available through the holidays.” The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5th worldwide for $449.99 alongside titles like Mario Kart World, which retails for $79.99. You can purchase both in a bundle for $499.99, though this is only available in limited quantities until this Fall. Check out our official comparison of the Switch 2’s specs with the original here. Temper your expectations for Variable Refresh Rate support in Docked Mode, though, since Nintendo finally clarified that it’s not supported. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More DOOM: The Dark Ages Publisher:Bethesda Softworks Developer:id Software Platforms:Xbox Series X, PS5, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster Trailer Showcases Kotarō Fūma As the young leader of the Fūma clan, Kotarō fights with dual kunai and ninjutsu, and will aid Jubei if the ... Nintendo of America President Assures Enough Supply to Meet Switch 2 Demand in the US "We do have a plan to have a continuous flow of product that'll be available through the holidays,” assured ... Grand Theft Auto 6 Studio Aims to “Create the Best Thing Ever Seen in Entertainment” – Take-Two CEO Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick says the delay reflects "the desire to polish and create the best possible experien... Red Dead Redemption 2 is in the Works for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S – Rumour Rockstar Games' acclaimed open world Wild West epic is headed for current-gen consoles and Nintendo's upcoming... Switch 2 Won’t Support VRR in Docked Mode, Nintendo Confirms "The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the ... Rockstar’s Next Move Might Be a GTA 4 Remaster, But a Basic Port Won’t Cut It If GTA 4 returns to the limelight, it needs to do so with more than a simple port. View More

News Grand Theft Auto 6 Studio Aims to “Create the Best Thing Ever Seen in Entertainment” – Take-Two CEO Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick says the delay reflects "the desire to polish and create the best possible experience for consumers." Posted By Ravi Sinha | On 18th, May. 2025 The delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 caused huge ripples in the industry, matched only by its second trailer dropping a few days later. Amid the renewed hype and optimism, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Rockstar’s parent company Take-Two Interactive, said the team strives to create “the best thing anyone’s ever seen in entertainment, not just interactive entertainment.” In a new interview with CNBC about the delay, Zelnick said, “The key thing is that Rockstar Games is trying to create the best thing anyone’s ever seen in entertainment, not just interactive entertainment. That’s a tall order, and I think consumers have huge hopes for the title. “But the delay itself is really a reflection of the desire to polish and create the best possible experience for consumers, and we as a company have been known not to have a sort of slavish devotion to release dates but rather to seek the highest quality entertainment.” Of course, there’s always the possibility of further slippage. Zelnick warned of the same earlier this year when the open-world title was slated for this Fall. However, he stated that when the company generally announced a date, “We’re able to hit that date.” That’s certainly been the case with Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5, with both titles suffering delays before receiving definitive release dates. That could always change with Grand Theft Auto 6, but, as always, time will tell. It’s out on May 26th, 2026, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out our feature outlining various small details here. You can also learn more about how it started development in 2020 “in earnest” here. Tagged With: Elden Ring: Nightreign Publisher:Bandai Namco Developer:FromSoftware Platforms:PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, PCView More DOOM: The Dark Ages Publisher:Bethesda Softworks Developer:id Software Platforms:Xbox Series X, PS5, PCView More Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Publisher:Sony Developer:Kojima Productions Platforms:PS5View More Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out! Grand Theft Auto 6 Studio Aims to “Create the Best Thing Ever Seen in Entertainment” – Take-Two CEO Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick says the delay reflects "the desire to polish and create the best possible experien... Red Dead Redemption 2 is in the Works for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S – Rumour Rockstar Games' acclaimed open world Wild West epic is headed for current-gen consoles and Nintendo's upcoming... Switch 2 Won’t Support VRR in Docked Mode, Nintendo Confirms "The incorrect information was initially published on the Nintendo Switch 2 website, and we apologise for the ... Rockstar’s Next Move Might Be a GTA 4 Remaster, But a Basic Port Won’t Cut It If GTA 4 returns to the limelight, it needs to do so with more than a simple port. Elden Ring Nightreign Trailer Details the Guardian’s Passive and Skills Use Steel Guard to block massive amounts of damage or fly into the area to divebomb enemies and protect your a... Take-Two Interactive CEO is “Reasonably Confident” The Company Won’t be Affected by US Tariffs During a recent earnings call, Strauss Zelnick spoke about how the company already has a consumer base on ever... View More

Disney's Tron returns to the big screen in 2025, 15 years after the cult-classic reboot, Tron: Legacy, and more than 40 years after the original film. Naturally, a franchise about people pulled into a computer should also extend to video games, and while there have been many great Tron games over the years, the upcoming Tron: Catalyst might just be the best yet. I recently played some of the isometric action-adventure title ahead of its June 17 release, and its blend of immersive interactivity and intriguing storytelling left me ready for me.A New Tron TaleTron: Catalyst comes from acclaimed indie developer Mike Bithell, creator of Thomas Was Alone and Volume. This is actually Bithell's second Tron game, following 2023's Tron: Identity. However, that game was a visual novel, a beloved but niche genre that's almost entirely about story. Although Tron: Catalyst's gameplay is much more robust, it maintains that attention to narrative.(Credit: Bithell Games)You play as a program, Exo, stuck in Vertical Slice, a seedy city where everyone has their own agenda. There’s a surprising amount of Cyberpunk 2077 energy as you gather intel at nightclubs, distract guards to sneak through passages, and participate in underground gladiator fights. Multiple dialogue options suggest multiple ways to handle story scenarios. The demo featured high-quality voice acting as well as music that, while not up to Daft Punk standards, created an excellent and evocative mood for your shady cyber-shenanigans. Despite the unreal sci-fi setting, I felt as if I inhabited a cool and somewhat dangerous real place. Gameplay: Disc Battles and Light RacingTron: Catalyst is largely a top-down, action-adventure game. I spent much of the demo battling guards with my trusty Identity Disc. You can strike foes in melee combat or toss your disc from afar. Defensive options include parries and dodges. The combat isn't revolutionary, but it's satisfying. As you collect skill points and unlock upgrades, such as one that causes your disc to bounce between multiple enemies, Catalyst resembles an action scene from a Tron movie.Recommended by Our Editors(Credit: Bithell Games)Combat helps punctuate surprisingly elaborate missions, such as tracking down a specific program or transmitting valuable data. The quests take you across several locations, from the rain-slicked city streets up to rooftop pool parties, showing off the beautiful artifice of Tron’s iconic, dark-neon world. I played the demo at a steady 60 frames per second on Steam Deck.Exo has the ability to glitch the system and rewind time. Initially, I feared this might turn the game into a roguelike. Instead, rewinding time helps you solve puzzles. For example, you can know where a character appears ahead of time. You also maintain the shortcuts and passcodes you previously learned, making it less tedious to revisit old areas. (Credit: Bithell Games)One gameplay feature I was especially intrigued by, but didn’t experience much of, was the Light Cycle. You can summon the vehicle anytime you're on the streets to quickly travel between distant locations faster, as well as leave light trails to block off foes. It felt awesome, but served little purpose in the demo because my missions were mainly in interior locations, very close to each other. Hopefully, the cycle serves a larger role in the final game, and the full world is large enough to justify it. This might be too ambitious, but I yearn for an isometric open-world game in the style of classic Grand Theft Auto, just with more derezzing.Disney's Next Digital FrontierCatalyst has the elements to make you feel like you're living in a Tron reality worth exploring. If you’re looking for an exciting new digital adventure this year, Tron: Catalyst could be the low-key surprise you've been waiting to download. The game launches June 17 on PC, PlayStation 5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S; check back then for a full review.

Senior FX Artist - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)Blizzard EntertainmentSanta Monica California 90405 United States of America4 hours agoApplyTeam Name:CinematicsJob Title:Senior FX Artist - Temp (SFD / Cinematics)Requisition ID:R025290Job Description:Blizzard Entertainment is looking for a talented Senior FX Artist to assist our Story and Franchise Development (SFD) team in creating the next generation of our award-winning cinematics.What You Bring to the TablePriorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:You will work in partnership with modelers, animators, texture artists, lighters, compositors, and the various games teams to ensure FX are delivered to the highest standard. You have experience creating simulations and systems that mimic real life phenomena such as smoke, fire, and water. You’ll also need to have strong art skills to help design and implement abstract magical and technological effects. Basic compositing skills will be required for FX slap-comps for review by the supervision team. Lastly, your strong background with procedural tools, methodologies and game engines are a plus.This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work on-site and some work-from-home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA. However, we understand each person’s circumstances may be unique and will work with you to explore other possible options, including remote work arrangements.We have multiple roles open with terms ranging from 4-months to 6-months.Minimum RequirementsExperience5+ years' experience working in a professional Gaming/Animation/VFX company producing feature film quality effects in HoudiniExtensive experience with particle systems, fluid dynamics, rigid body dynamics, and procedural systemsKnowledge & SkillsA good understanding of physical dynamics and natural phenomena as demonstrated by your portfolioFamiliar with feature film level pipelines and their respective issuesProven track record creating effects such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam, explosions, magic, etc.A trained creative eye that is able to participate in conceptual and practical discussions about what is needed to achieve an effect – and what is important to communicate with it.Experience with node-based compositing software such as NukeExperience with real-time VFX within a modern Game Engine (ex: Unreal, and Unity)Experience using PDG to execute caching and rendering processesKey AttributesAble to problem solve both technically and creatively in a collaborative environment with directors / art directorsAble to stay current with the latest tools, technologies, and techniquesExtra PointsExperience with VEXExperience with C++ or PythonWorking Knowledge of Houdini’s Solaris lighting context (LOPS) and Karma, Mantra, RenderMan or Redshift renderersShipped a AAA game titleYour PlatformBest known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre-defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.Our WorldActivision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world's largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty ®, World of Warcraft® , Overwatch ®, Diablo ®, Candy Crush ™ and Bubble Witch ™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!Our ability to build immersive and innovate worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.RewardsWe provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/ .In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $44.67 - $82.60 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable. Create Your Profile — Game companies can contact you with their relevant job openings. Apply

We have obviously had quite a bit of Grand Theft Auto 5 over the last decade-plus, from multiple re-releases of the game to, of course, continued and consistent updates what many might call the meat and potatoes of the experience for the vast majority of its lifetime- GTA Online. But go back further in the series’ timeline by just one game, and you arrive at the completely contrasting circumstances of Grand Theft Auto 4. The 2008 open world title was obviously highly acclaimed as well – to the extent that, just like GTA 5, it still stands as one of the best reviewed game of all tine – while it’s also safe to say that it sold a ton of copies as well, even though it could obviously never hope to even come close to GTA 5’s commercial accomplishments. And yet, for all of its critical and commercial successes, once Rockstar Games was done with GTA 4 – which was after two post launch single player expansions, which of course is something that GTA 5 itself never got – Rockstar never looked back at the game again. Interestingly enough, however, recent rumblings have suggested that that could change at some point in the not too distant future. Known Rockstar Games insider Tez2 recently claimed on the GTA forums that a PS5 and Xbox Series X/S port of Grand Theft Auto 4 has been in the works for roughly a year at this point, and that Rockstar likely intends to release it at some point later this year- which of course means that it will release before Grand Theft Auto 6, which was recently officially delayed to May 2026 (and might not necessarily be done with delays, for all we know). Admittedly, this isn’t the first time we have had rumours or speculation about a re-release of GTA 4, and obviously none of them have ever amounted to anything up to this point- but given Rockstar’s recent history, there is precedent to suggest that GTA 4 could once again see the light of day. Rockstar has long been in the habit of outright ignoring its past releases, refusing to offer remasters or remakes or anything resembling a re-release even in the face of overwhelming demand. Until not too long ago, the original Red Dead Redemption was a similar case, but with the acclaimed 2010 Wild West epic having been brought to PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch over the last couple of years, it now does feel likelier than it ever has that Rockstar might be looking to do something similar with Grand Theft Auto 4 as well. After all, that is another beloved title from that same era of Rockstar games that hasn’t seen the light of day in ages, which in turn has really ratcheted up the demand for the game to come back that much more. But if Rockstar does indeed decide to do a GTA 4 re-release, our hope is it’ll be much more than a simple port. One thing most will likely agree on is that the aforementioned Red Dead Redemption re-release should not serve as a yardstick for Rockstar to measure against, because the bar should really be significantly higher. The Red Dead Redemption port really was in almost all ways just a simply and straightforward port. It offered few upgrades, and the ones that it did were negligible at best. The resolution was upscaled, there were some light improvements to the picture quality, the UI saw some minor adjustments here and there- and that was pretty much it. There were no upgrades to the lighting, to the assets or the textures, or anything of note, really. Hell, there wasn’t even a performance mode- even when played on PS4 Pro or on PS5 via backward compatibility, the game remains locked at 30 FPS, which is just a crying shame, to put it mildly. To top it all off, Rockstar decided to price this re-release – which was deemed by many to be a low effort port of a game over a decade old – at a $50 point, which felt unreasonable, to say the least. Thankfully, the package did include the Undead Nightmare expansion for that price, so at least there was no additional fleecing being done on that front. The point being, of course, that Grand Theft Auto 4’s re-release, if it is indeed on the way, cannot take a similar approach. Looking at what the standard is for a number of high profile remastered releases in the current market, it’s impossible not to have higher expectations from a GTA 4 re-release. Just take a look at something like Ninja Gaiden 2 Black or The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, both of which are remasters that released this year and ended up impressing many with just how significantly upgraded and overhauled they were over the original experiences in spite of only being remasters on paper. Go back a little further, and look at, say, Metroid Prime Remastered, or Mass Effect Legendary Edition, or The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, all of which offered meaningful upgrades and improvements that you didn’t have to squint to even be able to notice. While a Grand Theft Auto 4 re-release doesn’t have to be quite on that same level as far as its upgrades are concerned, with standards and expectations for remasters being higher in general, a low effort port for GTA 4 will be quite a hard pill to swallow by many- as evidenced by the disappointment many felt with the Red Dead port. Rockstar has tried its hand at actual remastered releases in recent years as well, of course, though that sadly didn’t work too well. Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition launched a handful of years ago on modern platforms and, as most would tell you, did an awful job of remastering and modernizing three gaming masterpieces. Though GTA: The Definitive Edition did definitely put in much more of an effort than the Red Dead port did, the effort that it did put in was lackluster, to put it mildly- and our hope is that Grand Theft Auto 4’s purported release for modern platforms will sidestep those errors as well. The thing with GTA 4 is, of course, that it remains a spectacular game with incredible impressive tech and visuals even today, a ridiculously immersive and authentic urban open world map to lose yourself in, one of the most gripping stories that GTA has ever told, told through who may very well be the series’ best protagonist ever. Grand Theft Auto 4 was an unabashed classic in every sense of the word, so to see it modernized and updated with the right amount of effort and thought put in could be incredibly exciting, not only for returning fans looking to experience Liberty City again, but also for new ones who never played the game when it first came out. Grand Theft Auto 6 will obviously likely up the ante in all those areas by quite some margin when it releases next year, but until then, an enhanced GTA 4 on modern consoles should serve as an excellent appetizer. Here’s hoping that actually does end up happening this time. Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.