ActuGaming.net Xbox Game Pass : Grounded 2, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers… Voici les prochains jeux prévus dans l’abonnement Le début du mois de juillet aura été assez calme, soit tout l’inverse des jours […] L'article Xbox Game P

La Compagnie Générale des Effets Visuels présente une compilation de ses derniers projets. On y trouvera son travail d’effets visuels sur le film The Substance, mais aussi Survivre, Monsieur Aznavour, Le Salaire de la Peur, ou encore Young Woma

As if early June wasn't already going to be a wild enough time in the gaming world with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, that's also when a whole host of showcases takes place as part of Summer Game Fest. Along with the two blockbuster events — Summer Game Fest Live and the Xbox Games Showcase — there are a bunch of other ones in store, including the always-delightful Day of the Devs. There could be even more on the docket. There's always a chance that Nintendo and Sony will run a Direct or State of Play, respectively, over the next few weeks. Ubisoft hasn't yet announced a Forward event for this year — perhaps because it has delayed a bunch of big games and isn't ready to talk about them.  As things stand, SGF is slated to run from June 6 until June 8. With E3 officially dead (organizer Entertainment Software Association is planning an industry-focused event for next April instead), SGF is now the de facto replacement and the biggest event for announcements and updates this side of Gamescom in August. We'll update this preview as more details about the showcases emerge, including additional events in the SGF nebula. We'll embed videos for each stream as they become available as well. Engadget will be on the ground in Los Angeles for the in-person side of SGF, which is for media and creators. We'll be bringing you hands-on impressions of many of the games that are featured during SGF Live. Most folks will be keeping up with everything from home, though. To that end, here's a breakdown of how to watch Summer Game Fest 2025 and what to expect from the extravaganza (we're bound to get a Hollow Knight: Silksong release date this time, right?!?!). Summer Game Fest 2024 schedule Summer Game Fest Live — June 6, 5PM ET Day of the Devs — June 6, 7PM ET Devolver Direct — June 6, 8PM ET Wholesome Direct — June 7, 12PM ET Women-led Games Showcase — June 7, 1PM ET Latin American Games Showcase — June 7, 2PM ET Green Games Showcase — June 7, 4PM ET Xbox Games Showcase — June 8, 1PM ET Death Stranding 2: On The Beach Live Game Premiere — June 8, 10PM ET How to watch Summer Game Fest Live — June 6, 5PM ET Watch on YouTube or Twitch Putting aside our annoyance at the timing of this showcase — late on a Friday evening in the UK and right when many folks on the East Coast are clocking out for the weekend — Summer Game Fest Live is one of the bigger events in early June. It starts at 5PM ET and will run for two hours. Organizers are promising "spectacular new video game announcements, surprises and reveals." That's pretty compelling, especially since host Geoff Keighley (rightfully) downplayed expectations ahead of last year's show.  We do know about a few games that will appear. SGF Live will include a fresh look at Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, a Soulslike action RPG from Leenzee, a studio based in China. That game will arrive in July. Open-world MMORPG Chrono Odyssey will make an appearance as well. Oh, and Hideo Kojima will be there, of course. SGF Live takes place just a couple of weeks before Kojima's Death Stranding 2: On the Beach arrives, so we'll likely get another peek at that game before a more in-depth event on June 8 (more on that momentarily). Perhaps some of the other projects Kojima's working on will get some time in the limelight too. We’re proud to welcome a record-setting 60+ partners for #SummerGameFest 2025, a global celebration of video games in Los Angeles this June. pic.twitter.com/1TZkEbKlHt— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) May 28, 2025 Keighley has also released an initial list of partners for SGF. It includes big names such as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, Steam, 2K, Epic Games and Square Enix. On the list is IO Interactive, so perhaps we'll get more information about the James Bond game that the Hitman studio has been working on for several years.  Embark Studios is there as well, and given that there's a lot of hype around its upcoming extraction shooter, Arc Raiders, there'll be high hopes for a release date for that one. On top of that, CD Projekt Red will be at SGF, but it's more likely to be promoting Cyberpunk 2077's arrival on the Nintendo Switch 2 than shining a spotlight on The Witcher 4 (it feels a little too early for the latter after the reveal trailer at The Game Awards in December). You can watch SGF Live on more than 20 platforms, including YouTube (that stream will be available in 4K at 60 fps), Twitch, X, TikTok, Steam and international services. The event will stream live from the YouTube Theater, and you can attend in person, if you like. In any case, we'll be bringing you all the major news from Summer Game Fest Live. We just can't promise we won't have an adult beverage with an umbrella next to us while we're covering the event. How to watch Day of the Devs — June 6, 7PM ET Watch on YouTube (the same stream as SGF Live above) or Twitch  Immediately after SGF Live ends, the YouTube and Twitch streams will segue into the summer 2025 edition of Day of the Devs. This indie-focused showcase invariably has a fantastic lineup of games worth keeping an eye on. Among the games making appearances are Possessor(s) from Heart Machine and "nightmarish RPG" Neverway from Coldblood and co-publisher Outersloth. We'll also see something from House House (Untitled Goose Game) — presumably the co-op "walker-talker" Big Walk that was revealed in 2023. In all, Day of the Devs will feature 20 games.  Last year's show included 2024 game(s) of the year contender UFO 50, the very intriguing platformer Screenbound, survival climbing game Cairn, the delightfully kooky-looking Building Relationships and sci-fi mystery Phoenix Springs. My Steam wishlist somehow expands quite significantly after each Day of the Devs showcase. Weird how that always happens. How to watch Devolver Direct — June 6, 8PM ET Watch on YouTube (the same stream as SGF Live and Day of The Devs above) or Twitch  Sorry to everyone who was hoping for Baby Steps and Skate Story release dates from the SGF edition of Devolver Direct. This installment will be entirely focused on one game, and it's neither of those. Devolver Digital will be showing off a previously unannounced title called Ball x Pit: The Kenny Sun Story. The publisher hasn't revealed any more details about this game yet, but apparently it's one that the Devolver "team themselves can't even put down — hundreds of hours later." Devolver's got a strong track record, so this will probably be worth your attention. How to watch Wholesome Direct — June 7, 12PM ET Watch on YouTube or Twitch Definitely don't overlook the smaller events that take place during SGF, as you can always find plenty of treats among them. One such event is the Wholesome Direct, which will feature around 60 cozy games. It will include world premieres, demo announcements and updates from publishers and developers including Playstack, btf Games, ustwo games and Wētā Workshop (whose Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of The Rings Game arrives in July). How to watch Women-led Games Showcase — June 7, 1PM ET Watch on YouTube This one does what it says on the tin. It's a showcase featuring games from women-led and majority-women studios. Women-led Games will feature 39 titles, including world premieres and release dates. How to watch Latin American Games Showcase — June 7, 2PM ET Watch on YouTube The Latin American Games Showcase will feature more than 50 games, all of which are from Latin American developers, oddly enough. Expect world premieres, game update news and more from this one. How to watch Green Games Showcase — June 7, 4PM ET Watch on YouTube The Green Games Showcase is a new addition to the lineup for 2025. This will focus on the game's industry's "growing commitment to the environment." It will feature games that make direct contributions to green initiatives. Other titles in the showcase center around sustainability, and some are designed to raise awareness or drive action regarding environmental causes. Amazon Games, Skybound Games and Team17 are among those taking part. The stream will include a Q&A about how games can inspire meaningful action on climate change. There will also be a fundraising drive to help plant 50,000 trees. How to watch Xbox Games Showcase — June 8, 1PM ET Watch on YouTube or Twitch (there's a separate ASL stream on Twitch too) What's the over/under on the number of times the phrase "day one with Game Pass" will appear on this stream? That's one phrase you can definitely expect to hear, but Microsoft will have plenty to share here. It's the biggest Xbox showcase of the year. There will be reveals and updates from across Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. Games that the company has in the pipeline include Fable (2026), Perfect Dark, Gears of War: E-Day, Everwild, State of Decay 3, Clockwork Revolution, Hideo Kojima's OD and Contraband. It feels a little early for an update on The Elder Scrolls 6 since that game is still years away. But we may find out more about those other games and some we don't yet know about, such as whatever Double Fine and Toys for Bob are working on.  I have my fingers crossed for more info on the Blade game that Arkane Studios is working on. It's a reasonably safe bet that we'll see something about the next Call of Duty here as well. There's always going to be space for offerings from Microsoft's partner studios and publishers too. Plus, you never know, we might get a peek at what Halo Studios has been cooking up. One game we'll definitely hear more about on June 8 is The Outer Worlds 2. That's getting its own time in the spotlight, with a dedicated event that will start as soon as the main Xbox Games Showcase ends. How to watch Death Stranding 2 Live Game Premiere — June 8, 10PM ET Watch on YouTube Kojima will join Keighley at the Orpheum Theatre in LA to kick off a world tour of events to celebrate the arrival of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. There will be a panel discussion with some special guests, as well as a live demo of the highly anticipated game. In case you can't make it in person (ticket registration is open now), you can watch the hour-long event live at home.  Meanwhile, several publishers and other organizations are hosting their own shows around SGF. Here's when those will take place:  Access-Ability Summer Showcase — June 6, 11AM ET, on YouTube, YouTube with British Sign Language and Twitch (featuring games made by disabled developers and the accessibility options in each title) IGN Live — throughout June 7 and 8, on YouTube and Twitch Southeast Asian Games Showcase — June 7, 3PM ET, on YouTube Future Games Show — June 7, 4PM ET, on YouTube (featuring more than 40 games)  Frosty Games Fest — June 7, 7PM ET, on YouTube (showcasing "the coolest upcoming and recently released games made in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand") PC Gamer's PC Gaming Show — June 8, 3PM ET, on YouTube (with 50-plus games) Phew. Get ready, gamers. Details on many, many new games are coming your way very soon.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/summer-game-fest-2025-what-new-game-announcements-to-expect-and-how-to-watch-162140617.html?src=rss

It's almost that time of year again. Summer Game Fest starts on June 6. The annual kickoff stream begins at 5PM ET on that date. Yeah, we know. The time isn't ideal for folks with regular jobs, but we'll be in Los Angeles to cover the event in person, so you can just hit up the site for updates. The best way to watch this is likely via the YouTube stream. After all, the event is being hosted at the YouTube Theater. There will also be a Twitch stream for the YouTube-averse. We’re proud to welcome a record-setting 60+ partners for #SummerGameFest 2025, a global celebration of video games in Los Angeles this June. pic.twitter.com/1TZkEbKlHt— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) May 28, 2025 The organizers, including host Geoff Keighley, are promising "spectacular new video game announcements, surprises and reveals." I like all three of those things. We don't know that much about what games will be discussed during the two-hour event, but we aren't going in totally blind. The stream will feature a new look at Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, which is a nifty-looking Soulslike action RPG. The open-world MMORPG Chrono Odyssey (no relation to Chrono Trigger) is also making an appearance. There's also the Kojima of it all. This event is taking place just a couple of weeks before we get our hands on the long-anticipated Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The legendary game creator will be on-hand to discuss the title during a dedicated event on June 8, but maybe he'll pop up at the kickoff to give viewers a peek at whatever else he's been working on. However, the kickoff stream is just the beginning. The weekend is host to the Day of the Devs showcase, the Devolver Direct, Wholesome Direct and really so much more.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/how-to-watch-summer-game-fests-kickoff-stream-193047735.html?src=rss

Small sectional sofas (which are a thing, trust us) are just the right seating solution for those with cramped spaces who recognize that it’s not humanly possible to get cozy on a loveseat. “A sectional can give you that maxed-out seating and help the room feel like a cozy nook, not a cramped back office,” says designer Caroline Burke of Anna Burke Interiors.Though sectionals in all their long configurations can feel counterintuitive for small spaces, designer Ashley Darryl says the opposite is often true. “Sometimes using several small pieces can make a room feel cluttered,” says of the sofa-chair-table cluster that’s become de rigueur in living rooms. Whether your goal is to fit the whole family for movie night or just successfully stretch out completely solo, the right-size sectional can transform a cramped room in unexpected ways.“Typically, sectionals can double your seating,” notes AD100 interior designer Victoria Hagan, and author of Live Now. Burke agrees, adding that choosing a piece with a low back and arms can “help a small room not feel engulfed by a piece of furniture.”To help with your seating journey, we pulled together our favorite sectionals for small spaces—from bouclé beauties to rawhide leather configurations. Read up on some common seating FAQs below, answered by designers, as well.Our Top Picks for the Best Small Sectional SofasBest Leather Option: Castlery Jonathan Leather Side Chaise Sofa, $4,547Best Upholstered Sofa: Vesgantti Modular Sectional Sofa, $700 $550Best Sleeper Sofa: Pottery Barn Shasta Reversible Chaise Sleeper Sectional, $2,599For Sculptural Seating: AllModern Anson Modular Sectional, $3,098 $2,673For Iconic Design: Herman Miller Luva Modular Sectional, $8,430For a Modular Arrangement: Burrow Range 3-Piece Sectional Lounger, $1299 $979In This ArticleBest Leather OptionCastlery Jonathan Leather Side Chaise SectionalSpecsDimensions: 27.6"H x 84.3"W x 94.1"D (long side) and 39.4"D (short side)Seat Depth: 24.4"Materials: Top grain leather, veneer lumber, and plywoodCare: Wipe clean with dry clothAD commerce director Rachel Fletcher has adored this modular sectional since 2022, reviewing it as “modern, minimalist, and tasteful,” pet-friendly, and a powerful design moment for your living room. This modular sectional includes a versatile chaise lounge so you can expand your sectional or split it up when you move.Best Budget SofaWade Logan Fultonham 6-Piece Upholstered SectionalSpecsDimensions: 27.6"H x 84.3"W x 94.1"D (long side) and 39.4"D (short side)Seat Depth: 24.4"Materials: Top grain leather, veneer lumber, and plywoodCare: Wipe clean with dry clothOkay, yes, six pieces seem like a lot for a small sectional sofa. But keep in mind that you can mix-and-match elements, turning some into cozy reading chairs and connecting others into larger lounge spaces. We love the taller back cushions on this blocky option which ensure that you aren’t slouching your way through your next movie marathon.Best Upholstered SofaVesgantti Modular Sectional SofaSpecsDimensions: 60"D x 108"W x 35.5"HSeat Depth: 26"Materials: Wood, foam fill, chenille upholsteryCare: Wipe clean with dry clothReviews of this Amazon sectional tout the benefits of durable-feeling upholstery and easy assembly. Sure, 108 inches may seem large for small spaces, but that’s only if you format this sofa as a three-seater. A modular makeup ensures that you can move each piece around to best suit your living room. As an added bonus, this sofa comes ready with two sets of legs at varying heights, so you can decide how low to the ground you want to be.For Sculptural SeatingAllModern Anson Modular SectionalSpecsDimensions: 32.5''H x 100.75''W x 61.25''DSeat Depth: Not listedMaterials: Wood, foam, synthetic fiber fill, polyester upholsteryCare: Spot clean with dry, solvent-based cleanerWith a curved, high back that draws you in like a hug, and slim lumbar pillows for added back support, All Modern’s Anson sectional takes the best elements of sculptural furniture and makes them compatible with small space living. Available in three upholstery colors and the option of chaise sides, this sectional sofa is an ideal happy medium between sink-in cozy texture and statement-worthy design.Best Sleeper SofaPottery Barn Shasta Reversible Chaise Sleeper SectionalSpecsDimensions: 83.5"W x 59"D x 35"HSeat Depth: 29.5"Materials: Solid rubberwood frame, polyester-wrapped cushions, innerspring mattress,Care: Blot spills immediately with a clean, colorfast towel or sponge, vacuum cushions regularlyHosting guests in a small space requires some compromise, but any consummate host knows that good hospitality doesn’t come in the form of a saggy air mattress. Instead, this sleek sofa folds out into a queen-sized bed, accommodating your guests comfortably without taking up too much additional space. All-white can be dicey for any highly trafficked piece of furniture, but the sofa also comes in a range of hardier fabrics like basketweave, tweed, and velvet in all sorts of rich colors. Buyers even have the option to add storage in the chaise.Best Velvet OptionArticle Abisko Velvet SectionalSpecsDimensions: 28"H x 94.5"W x 63.5"DSeat Depth: 25"Materials: Frame: kiln-dried solid larch, plywood, brushed aluminum; Filling: high-density foam, polyester fiber; Fabric: 100% polyesterCare: Blot stains with a dry clothThe best-selling Sven sectional from Article is made even more beautiful by colorful, performance velvet upholstery. Suitable for those with little ones and pets running around, the fabric is non-absorptive, meaning spills and crumbs won’t stay embedded in its weave. Two orientations—chaise and L-shaped—allow you to Tetris its silhouette into your space as you see fit.For Cloudlike UpholsteryWest Elm Harmony Modular Chaise SectionalSpecsDimensions: 86"W x 62"D x 37"HSeat Depth: 23"Materials: Engineered hardwood frame, fiber-wrapped high-density polyurethane foam, high-gauge sinuous springs, upholstery (linen, basketweave, velvet, chenille, and twill options)Care: Blot spills immediately with a clean, colorfast towel; spot clean with a damp cloth or spongeWith a seat depth of 23 inches, this is the ideal small sectional for sinking in and getting cozy. A multitude of pillows allows for added comfort, while the chaise seat lets at least one person on the end stretch their legs out. Rather than simply make this sofa smaller or more narrow, the entire size has also been scaled down to look proportional without sacrificing style in smaller living rooms.For a Thoroughly Modern SilhouetteDesign Within Reach Pastille Sectional ChaiseSpecsDimensions: 57"D x 80"W x 32"HSeat Depth: 23"Materials: Steel-reinforced plywood frame, high-density, high-resiliency foam cushions, memory foam toppers, fabric or leather upholsteryCare: Spot cleanThe Pastille Sectional with an included chaise is an appropriate ode to the British candy, combining clean lines with cheerful colorways. Designed by Hlynur Atlason, this lounge sofa features a low seat (approximately 18 inches high), for not only cramped quarters, but low-ceilinged ones, too. And thanks to the lightness of the design, this sofa will also never look too heavy or oversized for your living room.For an Artpiece SofaHerman Miller Luva Modular SectionalSpecsDimensions: 61.5"D x 78.25"W x 40.75"HSeat Depth: 51.5"Materials: Steel frame, layered foam, fabric or leather upholsteryCare: Spot cleanSmall in stature but never short on personality, the Luva modular sectional has a squishy texture and a cartoonish shape. Available in a two and three seater configuration and countless upholstery options (like this Kindercore yellow), this versatile 78-inch sectional would feel right at home in a basement or a reading corner in need of some verve. It’s certainly a splurge, but for the iconic Herman Miller name, plus full assembly included in the price tag, it’s an investment that we imagine will hold up nicely over time.For a Modular ArrangementBurrow Range 3-Piece Sectional LoungerSpecsDimensions: 28"H x 62"W x 60.5"DSeat Depth: 21"Materials: Bent plywood frame, medium-density foam, shredded fill, fiber wadding, basketweave or velvet upholsteryCare: Water and bleach solutionInstead of opting for a giant L-shaped sectional that will take up the entire room, aim for something with a smaller footprint. Available in performance fabric and three leg finishes, this sectional couch is ideal for a tiny living space and a major upgrade from a smaller loveseat thanks to the chaise addition. While not an official fold-out sleeper sofa, the back cushions flop back to give you enough space should you be inclined to nap. Contributor David Kaufman, who tested it out for us, calls it “a great starter sofa for a first home or apartment that you won’t have to send to a landfill when you’re ready to move.”For Some TextureUrban Outfitters Macy Modular SofaSpecsDimensions: 30"H x 40"W x 40"DSeat Depth: Not listedMaterials: Polyester, plywood, pine woodCare: Spot cleanThis one is like a “choose your own adventure” in sofa form. Buy each piece separately to create the perfect sectional for your space. Corner chairs, seats with arms, seats without arms, an ottoman—you’ve got options. The ribbed corduroy is a throwback to college-dorm days (but in a good way).For Low-to-the-Ground LeatherArticle Cigar Rawhide Tan Reversible SectionalSpecsDimensions: 26"H x 92"W x 94"DSeat Depth: 27"Materials: Frame: kiln-dried solid pine, MDF, rubberwood; Filling: high-density foam, polyester fiber, duck feathers; Leather: 100% top grain, full-aniline Italian pull-up leatherCare: Wipe with a damp clothThe reversible chaise makes this sectional super versatile—meaning there’s a good chance it’ll fit right into your next space too. Low profile in silhouette and minimalist in style, the smooth leather texture carries this design’s personality while keeping things sturdy for movie nights. And while it may not be a sofa bed, don’t let anyone dissuade you from a full night’s snooze.Best sectionals for small spaces FAQs:What features should I look for in a sectional for small living rooms?Modular furniture—any sectional that comes in several parts so you can adjust your sofa to suit the configurations—is built with flexibility in mind, making it the ideal contender for a small living space. We have tested and loved Castlery modular sofas, but a search for modular sectional should give you plenty of other options. A room tight on space can benefit from couches with storage, like those from Albany Park. Now you’ll be able to minimize the clutter and extra blankets by stowing them underneath your seat.How do I arrange a sectional in a small space?Don’t fall for the tiniest sectional you can find, but rather invest in something well-made—it plays a big part in your living room, after all. While it may seem counterintuitive, Nashville interior designer Amanda Khouri says, “Filling a small room with small furniture can make it feel…well, smaller.”Designer Alicia Murphy used a sectional in the living room of a teensy trailer she converted into a plush family getaway in Montauk, New York, for this very reason: “If you use a corner sectional rather than a sofa and chair, you most likely will add seating for two or three more people,” Murphy explains, noting that the alternative prevents you from having about 36 inches of dead space in the corner.”

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube814k After four years of service, Square Enix and FuturLab have released the last content update for PowerWash Simulator, titled 'The Muckingham Files 6'. Fittingly described as the "final stop" on the PowerWash journey, this free update leaves us with a mucky tube train in need of a scrubbing and the Sculpture Park — a new location where you'll have to blast away the dirt on a few pieces of artwork. Both of these fresh locales hide a handful of Easter eggs for PowerWash Simulator 2 (which still isn't confirmed for Switch 2, but we remain hopeful), so be sure to pay attention to the details. "We hope you enjoy this final PowerWash Simulator update as much as we have enjoyed creating it," a statement from FuturLab reads on the game's Steam page. "The team have poured their hearts and souls into creating a world for you all to escape to and clean, somewhere for you to relax and solo clean, or a place to gather with friends and catch up over a satisfying wash". The content update also ushered in a small patch, which targets a handful of bugs across the base game and DLC packs. You can find the full patch notes below: Improvements made to scenarios where a placeholder string would be present instead of the function key. Fixed a LOD issue in the Kennel in Wallace & Gromit’s House. Fixed a crash involving pushing the football in to the kennel in the Wallace and Gromit’s House job. Fixed the toy train sounds being affected by music settings in the Dining Room & Kitchen job. Fixed a scenario in Wallace & Gromit’s Dining Room & Kitchen where players could get stuck behind a step stool’s default position. Fixed an issue involving save file sizes on PS5. Fixed an issue where the lower part of Wallace & Gromit’s House was invisible when standing in a specific location. Fixed an issue on Switch involving water stream changing colour in Aim Mode in certain circumstances. Fixed an issue in Shrek jobs where surface targeted was not aligned in 3rd person view. Improvements made to players being able to get stuck inside the information board in the Duloc job. Fixed a scenario on Xbox where the title could crash when pressing the Back button during the credits. Fixed an issue involving equipment placement spots being visible during timelapses. Fixed an issue on Sony platforms where certain SFX were still audible after reducing Master Volume to zero. Fixed lighting inconsistencies in the kennel in the Wallace & Gromit DLC. Fixed flicking assets inside the kennel in the Wallace & Gromit DLC. Various other localisation improvements and minor bug fixes. So, there we have it, PowerWash Simulator has scrubbed up for the last time. Onto the sequel, eh? Though FutureLab's denying the rumours Feathers McPhwar What's your top PowerWash Simulator memory? Let us know in the comments. [source store.steampowered.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 1 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 Articles Nintendo Updates Switch 2 Backwards Compatibility List Doom Eternal, NBA 2K25, and more to get an update Nintendo Switch System Update 20.1.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes Stability is back, baby Animal Crossing: New Horizons Update 2.0.7 Patch Notes - Switch & Switch 2 Multiplayer Compatibility "Improved" Return to island life next week Nintendo Expands Switch Online's Game Boy Library With Four More Titles Available today Fantasy Life i Is Proving So Popular That Level-5 Has Already Announced Free DLC "We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone"

From the first moment you step into the brutal lands of Shu, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers makes one thing clear: survival isn’t gifted, it’s earned. Throughout your journey, you’ll need to master an arsenal of weapons, spells, and abilities to overcome the harrowing challenges of this Soulslike action-RPG set in the waning years of the Ming dynasty. With the July 24 launch fast approaching, we’re giving PlayStation players a closer look at some of the game’s most defining tools of survival, power, and identity. We’ll highlight just a few of the devastating weapons, arcane spells, and unique abilities you’ll wield as you carve your legacy through ruin and revelation. These tools don’t just shape your playstyle, they shape the legend of Wuchang herself. A diverse arsenal of blades and brutality Each weapon in Wuchang is tied to a piece of the game’s worldbuilding, from sacred relics to myth-imbued prototypes. Every blade tells a story, and every strike leaves a mark. The Dragoncoil Lance, a Deluxe Edition spear, is a striking silver-white weapon featuring a traditional design. A coiled dragon motif wraps around the junction of the shaft and spearhead, symbolizing the wielder’s courage and valor. Weapons in Wuchang each have their own unique skills, and with the Vortex Thrust skill for the Dragoncoil Lance, you can unleash shockwaves with devastating force, making it ideal for punishing multiple enemies at once. Abilities that shape the warrior Combat in Wuchang is fluid, fast, and fiercely deliberate, with a broad range of abilities that define how you approach each fight. One standout is Blade Dance, a whirling assault that slices through enemies while showcasing your mastery of dual blades. The Crescent Arc, a forward-lunging slash imbued with ethereal energy, closing distance and shifting momentum with measured precision. Prefer power over speed? Colossal Smash delivers a thunderous overhead strike that leaves a trail of destruction in its wake, ideal for breaking enemy posture or interrupting spellcasters mid-cast. Every ability in Wuchang evolves through skill trees and Red Mercury enhancements, adding layers of strategy beyond raw force. Spells drawn from myth and madness Wuchang’s spell system is one of the most visually striking elements of its design, drawing from Taoist ritual, ancient folklore, and operatic symbolism. These aren’t just tools of destruction. They’re storytelling vessels that bind your journey to the world’s unraveling lore. Infernal Flames casts a searing mask that torments enemies with divine rage, based on an ancient opera ritual meant to summon wrathful spirits. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Lotus Soulflame, a ritual spell used in spirit exorcisms that unleashes devastating elemental damage. Another standout is Echo of Liu Cheng’en, a chilling surge of ice named after a loyal Ming general. The spell can knock targets back with enough force to disrupt aggressive momentum and create space in critical encounters. Feathering, the price of power At the heart of Wuchang’s identity lies the Feathering system, a supernatural affliction that grants immense power at great personal cost. As Wuchang absorbs Red Mercury and defeats corrupted monstrosities, she unlocks devastating abilities and spells rooted in transformation. Feathering allows players to unleash deadly skills and spells mid-combat, turning the tide of battle in an instant. But each use chips away at stability, demanding tactical restraint. Do you risk transforming in the middle of a fight to deliver explosive damage, knowing it may leave you vulnerable? Or hold your strength in reserve until the moment you’re truly cornered? Pre-order bonuses and Deluxe Edition content Players who pre-order Wuchang: Fallen Feathers will receive two exclusive outfits, White Spectre and Night Spectre, offering ceremonial elegance steeped in decay. You’ll also unlock the Vermillion War Club, a brutal axe weapon with powerful combo potential, along with a Glistening Red Mercury Skill Upgrade to enhance your build from the very beginning. For those seeking even deeper customization, the Deluxe Edition adds four rare outfits: Soul Ritual Robe, Tiger of Fortune, Overlord’s Regalia, and Draconic Resurgence. It also includes powerful weapons such as the Moonlight Dragon, Watcher’s Gaze swords, Eternal Sovereignty, and Dragoncoil Lance. You’ll also receive the Blood of Changhong, a special Skill Upgrade Item designed to support diverse builds and encourage early experimentation. Prepare for launch Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is more than a battle for survival. It’s a meditation on power, sacrifice, and transformation. Every spell you cast, weapon you wield, and enemy you overcome deepens your understanding of Wuchang’s intricate lore. Mastery isn’t just rewarded, it’s essential to unlocking the truths buried in the land of Shu. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers launches July 24 on PlayStation 5. Pre-order now to unlock exclusive content and prepare for the journey that awaits.

Advertisement Subscribe now Life Puzzlingly, many birds add human-made material to their nests with no obvious function – now there is evidence that these home improvements might ward off predators 23 May 2025 Red kites sometimes put plastic objects in their nestsMike Read / Alamy Stock Photo Birds may decorate nests with artificial objects and feathers to deter magpies and ravens from taking their eggs. Many birds have been observed placing human-made objects in their nests, such as plastic, wires or even anti-bird spikes from buildings. Often, these things seem to have no role as insulation or structural support, and may make nests more conspicuous to predators. Magne Husby at Nord University and Tore Slagsvold at the University of… Advertisement Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers. Sign up Advertisement More from New Scientist Explore the latest news, articles and features Popular articles Trending New Scientist articles Advertisement

Microsoft's subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, has grown into a must-have this year thanks to a whole host of big releases, but is it enough to help Xbox catch up to PlayStation?Tech13:00, 23 May 2025Game Pass is arguably more important than an Xbox console these days(Image: Future Publishing via Getty Images)It’d be fair to say at times that Xbox’s strategy this console generation has been clear as mud.From its opening salvo of multiplatform releases on PlayStation and Switch, to other games being released day and date on other systems, and some even looking better on PS5 Pro, you’d be reasonably wondering if you need an Xbox at all.‌In fact, Microsoft agrees, with its “This is an Xbox” pretty much labelling everything except your toaster and the kitchen sink as a console of sorts. The Xbox as we know it is long gone, it seems, but in its place, Xbox Game Pass feels like it’s grown in momentum month after month .‌Is it enough to turn the tide? It’s hard to say.Halo Infinite marked a sort of 'false dawn' for Game Pass back in 2021(Image: ESA PR Supplied.)Cast your mind back to late 2021. Microsoft released Forza Horizon 5 and Halo Infinite in consecutive months, and it felt as though Xbox Game Pass was about to kick into overdrive.Article continues belowSadly, things went a little quieter after that (and Halo’s momentum was curtailed for other reasons), but now, years later, it feels Xbox Game Pass is poised to finally hit some kind of stride.It’d be fair to say that Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard has left it with a studio portfolio that would make many envious, but it’s not really managed to line up its releases. Even Avowed, one of this year’s best games (and one we’ll touch on shortly), was slated for last year before Microsoft nudged it to 2025.Still, as it turns out, having great games on your platform will get players through the door, and if you’ve got a PC then you’re in an even better position.‌Stalker 2 has been heavily patched since launch(Image: GSC Game World)September saw Frostpunk 2 arrive on Xbox Game Pass for PC, while October added Call of Duty Black Ops 6. November brought with it STALKER 2 on day one, and December saw the year out with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.Unlike 2021, though, Microsoft has kept things moving between calendar years. January kicked off with Ninja Gaiden 2 Black as a stealth release, along with GOTY sequel Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector. February added Avowed, March brought with it Atomfall, and April added South of Midnight, critical darling Blue Prince, and the day one release of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.‌All of these games are available on PS5, sure, but the cost would be astronomical to play all of them, and Microsoft still isn’t done.DOOM: The Dark Ages is on PC and Xbox, along with Monster Train 2, this month, while Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4 remakes , Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Gears of War: Reloaded, The Outer Worlds 2 and much more are still coming in 2025.It’s a frankly ridiculous list of games with more to come in 2026, and that’s saying nothing of freebies like in-game items for League of Legends, Overwatch 2, and more, as well as this week’s announcement of a huge retro game collection .‌ESO is still growing, even after a decade(Image: Bethesda Softworks/ZeniMax Media )One of the biggest knocks against Game Pass in recent years has been the increase in price, and while there’s an argument to be made about Microsoft’s tiers making it harder to know if you’re getting a game on day one, Xbox Game Pass Core continues to grow.Core is cheaper than the Ultimate option that includes console and PC, but it does have a sizeable collection of games for budget-conscious players.‌The recently added Retro Classics are included, for example, as well as Bethesda hits like DOOM Eternal, Dishonored 2, and Fallout 4. For casual gamers, that might be enough.In fact, there’s a whole host of games included that could consume your week if you let them, like State of Decay 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Stardew Valley.That means there’s likely to be something for everyone while you wait for more recent releases to trickle down.‌Game Pass has really come into its own this year(Image: Microsoft)Most of my friends have a PlayStation 5, so if a game doesn’t have cross-play, that’s where I play my games—Game Pass or no.I do wonder how many feel the same, and see the appeal of Game Pass but simply don’t have the inclination (or money) to pick up a second console to play games cheaper in the long run, especially with so many coming to PlayStation in the future.‌Given Microsoft now has the keys to Warcraft, Overwatch, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Gears of War, Halo, Forza and so much more, I wonder if there’s ever a scenario where they start to rebuild walls between their franchises.Sure, Call of Duty will keep making money hand over fist on as many platforms as possible, but would the next Dishonored be worth putting on all platforms when you could keep it to the Xbox platform as an added incentive?Microsoft can’t be happy with being in second place for another console generation, and while I do wonder if Sony will eventually reckon with rising budgets by starting to move its own games elsewhere (and not just to PC), I’d wager we’ll get one more Xbox generation at most before the company goes the way of SEGA.Article continues belowWhat do you think? Does Game Pass interest you? Are you always likely to play where your friends are? And can Microsoft keep up this momentum?For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌