Steam is making a big change to one of its promotional pages, opting for an algorithm-based showcase of games instead of the current "manual calendar-based approach."

Steam has been gradually moving toward personalized algorithms to recommend games for years now, and in early 2027, the Discounts & Events page, which as the name implies shows you themed sales and discounted games, is joining the club. In its announcement, Valve says the goal is to get more discounted games in front of Steam users.

"Currently, the Discounts & Events section on Steam is made up of curated placements that are either scheduled directly by partners via Steamworks, or by us here on the Steam team," Valve says. "By moving away from that approach, more discounted games or sale events will have the chance to be visible on the homepage and elsewhere on Steam, rather than be limited by a small, fixed number of slots."

Valve says it's been experimenting with Steam's discovery features for a few months now and, in testing the algorithmic model with the Discounts & Events page, was able to "show 10x more games to customers in a given day in that section.

"As a result, we saw meaningful increases in store page visits, wishlists, and cart additions."

This change potentially spells good news for discovery, but there are some concerns that it could have the opposite effect if Steam users are only being recommended sales based on what they typically interact with, which is what an algorithm does, generally. For instance, my Steam library is full of co-op horror games, RPGs, and cozy games, but there might be a first-person shooter or tactics game out there I would love if only it were recommended to me. But if Steam is recommending me sales based on an algorithm that goes off of my usual shopping and play habits, it wouldn't think to recommend me ones that sit outside my usual genres.

Regardless, "We have confidence this approach is better aligned with our goal, and results in a better experience for customers and developers," Valve says. "The constraint of a manually managed calendar doesn't make as much sense with such diverse customer tastes and so many relevant deals for customers available at any given time."

Valve says there's no "definitive date for implementing these changes" and that the fine details are still being hammered out, but going off what we know right now, it seems like the Discounts & Events page will look a little more like a social media platform next year. Of course, you can still shop around other tabs if you want a more curated list of games, and the main Featured & Recommended tab is still a mix of hand-curated picks and personalized spots, but the Discounts & Events page specifically is fully embracing the algorithm.

"We don't believe this will be perfect right away, but we are confident the new system will result in better outcomes for customers and developers and are eager to share all the details once we have them," says Valve.

"Steam is on an absolute historic run": Valve quietly made a huge change that's helping game devs, says Hooded Horse CEO

There are few video game titles as descriptive as American Truck Simulator. You drive a simulated truck across America. Boom, branding perfection. It might seem like a betrayal of that core concept to release an expansion that lets you trade in the 18-wheelers for normal consumer cars, but that's exactly what the newly released Road Trip DLC is all about. Judging by the new all-time Steam player record the game just set, fans have been ready for the ride.

"American Truck Simulator's all time concurrent player record has been broken," developer SCS Software exclaims in a Bluesky post. "Over 20,000 of you are currently in-game, either behind the wheel of a truck or hitting the road with our Road Trip: Ford DLC! We cannot thank you enough for your support over the years."

As SteamDB shows, American Truck Simulator hit an all-time concurrent player peak of 21,318. That's the biggest concurrent player count since 2016, when the game first launched to 19,138 players. Those numbers might seem pitiful next to the biggest games on Steam, but few games have managed to keep an audience as consistent as the one that flocks to ATS.

The Road Trip: Ford DLC launched earlier today with a selection of licensed Ford automobiles, including an F-150, Bronco, Crown Victoria, and '67 Mustang. It's essentially an $8 pack of normal road vehicles, which you can take to either cruise at your own pace or use to take on new classes of delivery jobs.

I've been playing American Truck Simulator off and on since it first launched, and while I appreciate the simple economic challenges of buying truck upgrades and paying them off by hauling industrial cargo, the real appeal of the game is just cruising the long, lonesome highways that connect the various pieces of the US together.

In real life, that's an arduous process made all the more inaccessible by the rising cost of fuel, and each state border crossed is an unpleasant reminder of the political barriers splitting the US apart. Hopping into a virtual Mustang and cruising Route 66 as the sun comes up over the horizon, though? I can start to imagine the hard work, apple pie, and hamburger America we've been mythologizing for so long. At least for a moment.

Check out the best simulator games you can play today.

You've heard it said before that GTA 6 is expected to be the largest entertainment launch of all time in terms of budget and sales, but it really is hard to oversell the unprecedented scale of Rockstar's incoming juggernaut. Publisher Take-Two Interactive has likely spent an ungodly amount of money GTA 6, and if the finished product is anything less than a total disaster, you'll see that money reflected in its photorealistic, richly detailed visuals, gigantic open-world map, and lifelike physics. That said, making the biggest game ever comes with proportionately seismic expectations, and Rockstar isn't content with simply meeting them.

"As the pressure for us on this project is huge, we dealt with that by doing our best to overdeliver," Rockstar's head of development and co-studio head Aaron Garbut tells Game Informer. "Normally you compromise scale for detail or detail for interaction, but with this project we went the other way – everything is dialed up – detail, scope, breadth, scale, interaction and density. I don't think we have ever created anything close to this before."

Of course, it's worth acknowledging the extremely talented people at Rockstar who don't need boatloads of cash to tell compelling stories or design interesting worlds, but the technical achievement Garbut is teasing here wouldn't be possible without Take-Two money. We've yet to see what the game looks like on our living room screens or how it feels in the hands at launch, but Rockstar certainly isn't doing much to temper expectations ahead of the game's November 19 launch; instead, it's doubling down in the final weeks of pre-release build-up with a reminder that there are very few studios in the world with its pedigree, talent, and resources.

GTA 6 devs spent years "going to strip clubs," "spending time on the beach," and riding with ex-cops to research Florida life

Game development is a hard, often thankless job, where devs spend years working extreme hours while pouring their hearts into their craft, and they're often repaid with little more than a pat on the back ahead of the next round of mass layoffs. I say all this to suggest you shouldn't judge Rockstar too hard for its regular GTA 6 research trips in Florida, which saw the devs soaking up the sun and the nightlife in equal measure.

"We go and try to experience everything," senior vice president of narrative Rupert Humphries tells Game Informer, "from riding around areas at night with ex-cops, to going to strip clubs and nightclubs, spending time on the beach, in the Everglades, down in the Keys, and beyond." The team has taken a multitude of such trips for reference material over the years.

Rockstar has a number of subsidiaries based all over the world, but GTA's development is led by Rockstar North in Edinburgh, Scotland, and I have to imagine some of those devs appreciated a little extra sunlight. But honestly? Going clubbing as a work activity sounds like a recipe for a bad time.

And either way, there are plenty of locations outside of the beaches and nightlife, and the game's story will drag Jason and Lucia through many of them. "We don’t have time to take you everywhere, but we want you to be able to explore and get a feel for most of the places, cultures, and vibes," Humphries says. "This game and its stories really thrive in an environment where you have rich people and poor people right next door to each other. And crime and corruption is the thread that pulls everyone together."

Plenty of game studios go on research trips – the American Truck Simulator devs even had to make a stop in my dinky hometown at one point – but the fact that the real-life inspirations behind Leonida and Vice City are such tourist destinations and nightlife hubs does make these particular trips seem a little more enviable than most. But personally, as a resident of Missouri, I get my fill of suffocating heat and humidity six months out of the year without having to meet any Florida men.

Here are all the GTA 6 locations we've learned about so far.

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past is a new expansion coming to The Witcher 3, and it promises to be the last new outing for Geralt before The Witcher 4 heads our way.

CD Projekt Red officially announced the third expansion back in May following a healthy string of rumors. With only the title to go on initially, Songs of the Past's official reveal came during Gamescom 2026 following the announcement of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered. The studio then showed off a demo of the expansion during a series of RedStreams, and offered more insight into the new region it will be drawing us into, as well as some story details.

Even though I personally find it hard to believe (because what is time), The Witcher 3 came out all the way back in 2015, it continues to be one of the best RPGs around over a decade later. While it's definitely exciting to know there's a slate of upcoming CD Projekt games in the works, I'm happy to have some big reasons to return to The Witcher 3 thanks to the remaster and the upcoming DLC. So, if, like me, you can hardly wait to experience a new adventure with The Butcher of Blaviken and you find yourself wanting to learn more about what's in store in Songs of the Past, read on as I breakdown everything you need to know about the expansion.

The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past release date specualtion

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past release date is slated for sometime in 2027.

The 2027 launch window was revealed when the expansion was first announced, but we're still awaiting a firm release date. With The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered landing on September 29, 2026, and The Witcher 4 "targeting" a 2028 release, Songs of the Past looks set to bridge the gap between the two sometime next year.

While we'll have to wait it out for an official update on the release date, it would be pretty neat to see Songs of the Past arrive in May to mirror the original release of the base game all the way back in 2015.

The Witcher 3: Songs of the past platforms

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past expansion is coming to PC, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X when it releases in 2027.

Since new content is coming to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in the remaster and Songs of the Past, CD Projekt Red confirmed changes have been made to specs, with amended minimum requirements on PC, which are:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600, Intel Core i5-8400
  GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660, AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 8GB
  VRAM: 6 GB
  RAM: 12 GB
  Storage: 70 GB SSD
  OS: 64-bit Windows 11

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past trailer

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past location

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past takes place in the new realm of Letten, an expansive region that CD Projekt Red says is a fully realized open-world "comparable in scope" to the sizable Blood and Wine expansion.

As detailed in the Gamescom 2026 Showcase Supercut video, Letten is yours to freely explore just like other regions in the expansive RPG, and is "packed with new quests, interesting characters, places to find, and monsters to find". The area is known as "the land of the plenty", with a lush, idyllic look and feel.

Said to be heavily inspired by the Polish and English countryside, with pagan-like architecture and customs, the world setting is "sheltered from the conflicts" that affect other parts of the continent.

The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine added a huge new region in the beautiful setting of Toussaint, which set the scene for a host of memorable questlines. To know Songs of the Past is echoing this scale is very exciting indeed. If you'd like a refresher on the Blood and Wine expansion, you can check out our original The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine review for more.

The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past story

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past's story follows Geralt as he travels to Letten to help his friend Dandelion with "a family matter".

With the Gamescom 2026 showcase giving us a look at a demo of the upcoming expansion, the new region is actually revealed to be Dandelion's homeland, and as the member of a noble family (Dandelion's real name is Julian Alfred Pankratz, with the title of Viscount of Lettenhove), you'll actually be able to visit the grand manor where the lovable bard grew up.

The footage shows all is not well at home, though, with black banners denoting signs of mourning, which speak to why Dandelion has returned after many years away.

While CD Projekt Red is keeping most of the story under wraps, the studio also teased that there's a dark secret lurking beneath the surface of Letten, and of course, we'll get wrapped up in it, too. Venturing to the Garden of Thorns, which is said to be the only flawed spot in the region that everyone avoids, you'll be joined by Dandelion's cousin Lilla as you go there to investigate an old Lettenhove family legend.

As the pair approach a thorny gate in the garden, Geralt remarks that Dandelion might be in it, which links to one very salient point: Dandelion is missing. As our guided hands-off demo of the expansion at Gamescom 2026 explores, Geralt had some kind of ominous dream after a wild night during local celebrations in a location known as Belleteyn. Upon waking, Dandelion is gone, and his absence leads the White Wolf to team up with Lilla and set out to the Garden of Thorns in search of his friend.

Interestingly, during a RedStream at Gamescom 2026, the team at CD Projekt Red said Geralt gets pulled out of retirement for another adventure, which seemingly suggests this takes place after the events of Blood and Wine.

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past gameplay

We've gotten to see some work in progress for The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past gameplay thanks to the Gamescom demo, which not only shows off some very beautiful vistas that Geralt explores by boat and on the back of his trusty steed Roach, but also some combat in action.

With the visual improvements of The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: Remastered bringing to the idyllic setting of Letten, the Songs of the Past will also benefit from enhancements the remaster introduces to the combat system, with an updated camera and better targeting for more precision during encounters.

As you take new quests and explore the region, you can also expect to come across new enemies. When Geralt goes through the Garden of Thorns, we're introduced to a new monster in the Swarmion, a ghoulish-looking enemy that protects itself with a swarm of hornets.

While Geralt will once again have his swords and signs, during this combat encounter CD Projekt Red shows off Geralt's new chain tool. Operating much like a grappling hook, the chain latches onto the Swarmion so the witcher can yank the enemy closer and land a hit with his silver sword. But more excitingly, the chain also features a weak point system, and should you exploit it at the right opportune moment, you can execute some bloody finishers.

For more on the changes introduced in the remaster, you can find our guide to what's new in The Witcher 3 Remastered.

The Witcher 3 Songs of the Past development

The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past is being co-developed by CD Projekt Red and Fool's Theory.

Known for isometric character-driven RPG, The Thaumaturge, Fool's Theory also provided support for the gameplay and tools programming for Baldur's Gate 3, and is also working with CD Projekt Red on the upcoming Witcher 1 Remake.

It's not often that you get an expansion of this scale for a game that was released over 10 years ago, but CD Projekt Red says it wouldn't have been possible without the RPG's remaster which launched in September 2026. With so many advancements in technology since 2015, it makes sense that the Remaster and its various overhauled features opened up the door to a shiny new expansion, too.

While you can snap up the remaster as a free upgrade if you already own the game (with the two previous expansions included at no additional cost), Songs of the Past will be a paid expansion. CD Projekt Red has yet to confirm The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past price, but I'll be watching out for more updates.

For more, check out our pick of the best games like The Witcher 3.

On the face of it, Arc Raiders has enjoyed a dream year for a live-service game. It launched to huge numbers, then maintained the community while developer Embark Studios maintained a cadence of updates and patches to keep things (mostly) steady. As the shooter's first anniversary approaches, leadership is now getting candid about the toll that's taken on the devs.

Aleksander Grøndal, executive producer on Arc Raiders, discusses Embark's general weariness with Game Developer. "Transitioning to live-service is going to be fucking hard," he says.

"Everyone said that to me. I've even said that to other people," he continues. "I was mentally prepared for it to be hard - but I wasn't completely prepared for how hard it was."

Prior to Arc Raiders, Grøndal worked on a number of major releases for EA, including installments of Battlefield and Star Wars: Battlefront. While these have online elements, they've got substantial offline options too, making them different animals to the fully live-service machine of something like Arc Raiders.

He mentions that the people at Embark have been worn down by having to answer to millions of players on a consistent and ongoing basis. "The team is super tired. We're putting out content as fast as we can but it's not enough, and perhaps it wasn't necessarily interesting enough as well," he comments. "I'm proud of what we achieved during the first four months of this year, but at the same time, I think we have to be honest at looking at some of the impacts of that."

Arc Raiders jumped out of the gate with monthly updates that kept the gameplay fresh, while putting out fires constantly through routine patches. But Embark has since slowed down, aiming for slower but bigger rollouts on new features.

"We didn't have the time," he says. "You also have a lot of the cost of just maintaining the game – implementing bug fixes, exploits, and other constraints. We were constantly overshooting our capacity and so it was hard to plan when there's so much to do."

He candidly adds the "team were super unhappy," for a stretch and that bled into player dissatisfaction too. Having served his time at Electronic Arts, he points toward his experience there as something he wants to avoid for any of his colleagues. "It's super important [to protect people]. I can tell you a personal story. I was burned out," he remembers.

"We'd just shipped a Battlefield game [when I was at EA] and I kept pushing so hard that I had to take a break for five months and go on sick leave because I was completely broken," he says, later putting a fine point on what he's getting at: "It's very important for us to create a framework that allows us to be creative while having a good work-life balance."

Arc Raiders say fine, here's a "limited test" of PvE co-op: "We can't ignore what the data is telling us."

Sony is skipping the Consumer Electronics Show in 2027, which marks the first time the PlayStation maker has not attended the show in its history.

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, after only appearing at this year's show as part of its joint venture with Honda, Sony is skipping the 2027 event. A Sony spokesperson tells Bloomberg the decision is based on its current focus on "entertainment, intellectual property, and technology geared to support creators," adding, "We continuously and strategically evaluate our approach to events and communications based on the needs and priorities of our diverse business."

While CES isn't as big an event for PlayStation and games, Sony has been part of the show since its inception in 1967; it has been the site of historic announcements. Notably, in 1991 Sony announced the SNES PlayStation – and thus, the birth of the PlayStation – before Nintendo announced the following day it was not going forward with it; in 2020 Jim Ryan unveiled the PS5 logo, and in 2022 the PSVR2 and Horizon: Call of the Mountain were announced.

Sony has seemingly been stepping back from these sorts of events, as the company hasn't been present at Gamescom – the world's largest gaming convention – since 2019, while Xbox and Nintendo have been a near-constant presence at the shows. In an era when PlayStation State of Play and PlayStation Showcase streams are drawing millions of viewers, it's very likely that whenever new PlayStation hardware is announced, it'll be at one of these shows.

Ex-PlayStation lead thinks Sony and Nintendo "should try to keep the current generation as long as possible" amid hardware price hikes: "People are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2"

Today marks the release of The Witcher 3 Remastered, a big update to CD Projekt Red's monumental RPG. On the heels of this, we're also getting an expansion, Songs of the Past, next year – only 12 years into the game's life. Why? Well, because the devs simply felt they had more ground to cover.

"It was a great opportunity to tell something new about already established characters and to show them from a different angle," Karolina Kuzia-Rokosz, creative vision director at CDPR support studio Fool's Theory, tells VGC.

"What I mean is, this is still a fully-fledged expansion and a richer story first and foremost, but then we have Geralt's best friend with us, who also faces some important stuff in his life, right?" she adds.

She's referring to our old musical companion, Dandelion, whose backstory forms the backdrop Songs of the Past. You're visiting his home region of Lettenhove, where our monster-hunting hero winds up uncovering and slaying some nasty pieces of work.

Creating an entire slab of DLC sprang from wanting to dig into Geralt's supporting cast just that much deeper, and seeing what emerges. "We always wanted to say more about the people who are important to Geralt," Kuzia-Rokosz adds. "So, it isn't like we wanted to strongly conclude something, more that we still believe that there is still more to say about Geralt."

This is as true mechanically as it is narratively. The new chain weapon is actually something CD Projekt Red tried to implement in the base game, but couldn't. Geralt of Rivia's misadventures around the Continent have already given us hundreds of hours of entertainment, and it seems we'll get to enjoy plenty more before his shift is over and we get The Witcher 4.

The Witcher 3 Remastered did not, in fact, change the RPG's hilarious low-poly pigeons, much to fans' delight: "Glory to low poly."

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered launched only a few hours ago, but it's already broken the 2015 RPG's all-time player record on Steam and shows no signs of slowing down.

It's been 11 years since the launch of The Witcher 3, and being the great game it is, it's had many peaks over its lifetime. Looking at SteamDB, after debuting with a healthy peak of over 92k concurrent players on Steam in its launch month, it eventually surpassed its own record five years later in January 2020, shortly after the first season of The Witcher TV series aired, bringing in 103k players.

Even though it's had its highs since – thanks to the TV show and the 2022 next-gen update, for example – The Witcher 3 has never surpassed that 2020 peak… until now. Within hours of launch, The Witcher 3 Remastered has pushed the RPG past its old record, and it keeps gaining more and more concurrent Steam players basically by the minute. It's at 120,324 at the moment, but I've had to update this multiple times since I began writing this article.

And, as you may have noticed, in many parts of the world at the moment, including the US, UK, and Europe, we're in the middle of a working day. A huge chunk of players won't have even had the chance to dive into the remaster yet, so we can definitely expect this to go up further in the hours to come, and perhaps even more come the weekend.

It'll be interesting to see if CD Projekt Red gives any insight into how many of these are returning players versus completely new ones. The Witcher 3 Remastered is available as a free update to anyone who already owned the base game, so there's a huge incentive there for veteran fans to return to the RPG (assuming they needed one in the first place).

And, so far, it's not just the player count that's looking positive. The Witcher 3 Remastered's Metacritic score doesn't just make it the best-rated game of 2026, but also the best version of The Witcher 3 to date.

The Witcher 3 Remastered did not, in fact, change the RPG's hilarious low-poly pigeons, much to fans' delight: "Glory to low poly."

The Blood of Dawnwalker, the brand-new vampire RPG headed by The Witcher 3 veterans from CD Projekt Red, plays host to one of the most controversial game mechanics out there: a time restriction that leads to some serious FOMO.

In case you're out of the loop, the game has you playing under a strict 30-day and 30-night schedule. Within those 30 days and nights, you must resolve the main story (and do as you please in between quests, of course). Everything you do can carry a time cost with it, though, making it more stressful.

It is core to the game, though, if you ask me, and implemented well – and Baldur's Gate 3 publishing director Michael "Cromwelp" Douse agrees.

The Larian Studios developer reveals as much in a new post over on X, explaining that he's nearing the end of Rebel Wolves' RPG. "I'm horribly close to the end of Dawnwalker, a game that reminds me of playing Legacy of Kain for the first time as a wean," he writes. "It's been such a great ride oozing with gothic vibes and brilliant antagonists."

That's when he brings up the whole time restriction thing – a feature he welcomes with open arms.

"I'm surprised there's any backlash to the 'time mechanic,'" Douse admits, referencing all of the controversy the feature has sparked.

Heck, the first and biggest mod for The Blood of Dawnwalker reworks it altogether, proving that it's not exactly beloved by lots of fans. The devs themselves said that upcoming sequels might scrap the feature or at least change how it works, too, stating that they actually "rebalanced" it prior to launch as well.

Douse finds it a solid feature, however. "It's a perfectly interwoven narrative tool that cleverly disguises the fact that you need not play the game like The Witcher," as he puts it.

He also has ideas for The Blood of Dawnwalker's future: "In a sequel I'd love to see Rebel Wolves double down on the gothic overtones. The world they created where humans and vampires coexist alongside low fantasy social conflict is so perfect for an RPG series."

While "it isn't going to be the series where Coen has 30 days to solve a problem," there are other ways Rebel Wolves can maintain its now-established unique identity. As Douse concludes, "I can see a dozen ways Dawnwalker could become its own massive, brilliant thing. I'm so behind these guys."

Same, honestly – and I've still got plenty of hours to pour into the game myself… and, no, the time restriction isn't getting in the way.

It's one of those things I feel sounds frightening on paper, but when you actually get into the game, it's not so bad. I've spent so much time with the RPG already, and I've never felt as though I'm left wanting for more – it's all about balance.

Interested in one of this year's most intriguing new games yourself? Be sure to read through our The Blood of Dawnwalker review to learn more about it.

The painting puzzle in Control Resonant is all set within a shadowy gallery, in which players can spotlight certain paintings on the wall. But the only clue is a note that mentions that certain paintings have been sold this month, but doesn't specify which paintings those are except mentioning their names: "Journey, Windows, Thunder and Tides". Unfortunately the paintings on the gallery walls aren't labelled in any way, leading to some rough interpretations about which ones the note is referring to, and even then, what do you do with that information? I'll explain below.

To find another of the Secret Rooms in Manhattan, check out our guide to the Control Resonant Washing Machine puzzle!

How do you solve the Painting puzzle in Control Resonant?

To solve the painting puzzle in Control Resonant, you need to interact with the spotlight controls on the gallery pillars, so that certain paintings are illuminated, specifically those that match the names on the note left on the countertop. It's not always particularly clear which paintings they mean, but I'll show you what you need to mark below.

1. Journey: Left wall, middle painting (road beneath a tree).
2. Windows: Far wall, left painting (curling, looping vines in the forest)
3. Thunder: Far right corner, left painting (tree split by lightning)
4. Tides: Right wall, middle painting (tree fallen into water)

Once you enter this correctly, the spotlights will flash and a secret door in the corner of the room will open up. Down below, you'll find several collectibles, as well as a resource container with a Health Upgrade Point inside.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

CRKD has just launched its first ever pro controller and the ULT PRO has a pretty sturdy list of specs behind it. TMR thumbsticks, trigger stops, swappable components, and 1,000Hz polling on Windows would usually make for a pretty premium package, especially if you look towards the best PC controllers from names like Razer and Flydigi. The brand is launching the CRKD ULT PRO for just $69.99 (Amazon) today, though, undercutting a good wedge of the premium market.

After all, this is coming in the same month SteelSeries debuted the $260 (yes $260) Aeon Pro. There's one hint here that the CRKD ULT PRO isn't playing in quite the same arena, though. The BAYX face button layout is a dead giveaway that the brand is pointing this asymmetrical thumbpad at Nintendo Switch 2 players.

You won't find clicky mechanical buttons, turbo-charged 8,000Hz polling rates, or complex software adjustments here, but for $70 the ULT PRO has quite a few green flags over competitors like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2, Switch 2 Pro Controller, and GameSir Super Nova.

With charging dock in tow, the CRKD ULT PRO's main competitor could be the 8BitDo number. The Ultimate 2 is currently the best Nintendo Switch 2 controller from a sheer value perspective, pitched at the same $69.99 (Amazon) price point.

It matches the ULT PRO's TMR thumbsticks, trigger stops, profile selection, and asymmetrical layout but adds motion control and wake functionality into the picture.

It's strange that the ULT PRO would drop this gyro from its specs, considering it's gone so far towards Switch compatibility as to create two separate SKUs for Nintendo and PC. It comes with its own advantages, though.

Rather than 8BitDo's two back buttons, CRKD is rolling the dice on a more PC-centered four-pronged approach. These back paddles are skinnier than the chunksters seen elsewhere in the Switch market, resembling the excellent Razer Wolverine V3 Pro's implementation.

It's not the only feature typically found on more robust PC controllers we're seeing here. The ULT PRO also includes two additional shoulder buttons for extra programmability as well as a swappable stick toppers and d-pad.

This looks to be an all-in-one pro controller for those not willing to shell out the full $90 on the official model. But it adds a lot more to the package compared to Ninty's. Sure, the classic Pro 2 Controller is all about feel, with particularly satisfying controls from the softly dampened face buttons to its incredibly smooth thumbsticks.

Would I take that over $20, profile presets, extra controls, trigger locks, and a charging dock? We'll have to wait until we get our hands on the new release to find out, but it certainly looks good on paper.

• See all Switch 2 controllers at Amazon

We're also hunting down the best PS5 controllers and the best Xbox Series X controllers available on the market.

Wardogs boss Joe Brammer has spoken about balancing the popular FPS, admitting that it's something that has to be figured out in the long term, and probably won't even be worked out by season 2.

As with any game in its infancy, the only way to truly find out how balanced something is is for players to get into it. Fighting game players will discover infinites or other wild tech on day one that completely throws the community into disarray, Call of Duty players inevitably find the optimal loadout right away, and I'm sure MOBA players do something that I've remained blissfully unaware of. Wardogs has been rigorously tested, with the tactical FPS selling three million copies in just a few weeks, and naturally, the balance of it has been a constant point of discussion, with Brammer admitting "we definitely have a balancing issue."

Brammer now responds to a post from a user saying the early-game of Wardogs is a lot more fun due to the lack of "Level 4 armored chadded up Juggernauts," and they are personally looking forward to the incoming progress wipe. Brammer acknowledges this, saying "Almost as if the devs knew this and kept the season short while we balance it."

Brammer says, however, "the big failure, was not balancing," because balancing a game is "always best guess and evolves with time" with the producer warning "we won't even get it right season 2." Instead, Brammer says the game's "failure was community servers and us not hosting official infantry and level cap servers."

But even with the issues, the team is determined to keep at it, as Brammer says, "It's an evolving situation, we're learning, adapting, improving, nerfing, buffing.. but all with the long term plan in mind."

Wardogs boss says "games need to cost more" and GTA 6 should've been the game to make the change.

If you've started up The Witcher 3 Remastered and are wondering what the 'simulate Witcher 2' option does, I've got the answers and some advice regarding whether you should or not - even if you've never played The Witcher 2.

This option is actually quite important, as it changes some of the main story beats and even adds/removes quests depending on what you choose, so here's what you need to know about simulating your Witcher 2 save in The Witcher 3 Remastered.

Should you simulate a Witcher 2 save in The Witcher 3?

Yes, you should choose 'On' when asked whether to simulate a The Witcher 2 save in The Witcher 3 Remastered, as this gives you the chance to pick important story consequences from the former game, for example, whether certain people lived or died.

This option is given whether you've played The Witcher 2 or not, while players who have save data from the second game are also given the option to import their save. This automatically brings across the decisions you made in The Witcher 2.

Simulating a save instead opens a series of dialogue options during Geralt's visit to Emperor Emhyr's palace in Vizima, during which you can choose who lived and who died in the story leading to this point. The most important option relating to The Witcher 3 is whether Letho is dead or alive, which you can decide in the final question. To be able to interact with him and complete his quests in The Witcher 3, you must choose the option whereby he is still alive. If he's dead, you'll miss a section of the game.

If you turn the save simulation off, the story instead follows default options. I'll list these below, but please note that there are some Witcher 2 spoilers below (I'll leave Witcher 3 spoilers out):

• Aryan La Valette is alive.
• Henselt is dead.
• You saved Anais.
• Síle de Tansarville died.
• Letho was killed.

Again, this is a bad option to choose if you want to experience everything in The Witcher 3 Remastered as Letho is dead in this playthrough, meaning you'll completely bypass his questline.

Whether you're returning to The Witcher 3 with the remaster or playing this iconic RPG for the first time, we've got other guides to help you out, including a list of general Witcher 3 tips, the best romance options in The Witcher 3, and the top Witcher 3 Gwent cards for your deck.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

The Witcher 3 Remastered is finally here, bringing everything from "improved combat" to massively reworked visuals with it – reworked visuals that had fans worried the RPG would lose its iconic low-poly pigeons.

Yes, you read that right. In case you don't recall them from the 2015 release, the pigeons are exactly what they sound like: hilariously low-poly assets that are cursed… in the best way possible, of course.

Much like Final Fantasy 14's own low-poly grapes, The Witcher 3's new graphical overhaul has sparked fears of a potential loss of said pigeons. These have been all the more solidified with screenshots of the game's supposedly revamped pigeon design.

Just have a look over at Reddit, where one player shows a side-by-side comparison, writing, "Pigeons Remastered." Comments show distraught folks, and threads elsewhere online are largely the same.

One person on Twitter shouts, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO," for instance, while another similarly alerts fellow fans to the presumed change.

I have good news, though – this is all "a false alarm," as Kotaku editor Ethan Gach confirms in his own post. The "new" pigeon design is actually just what the street pigeons look like. Our beloved flying pigeons are intact.

It comes as a great relief, of course – because what could be more important than the pigeons, am I right? Players are happy, anyway, that's for sure.

As one person puts it in response to Gach's welcome confirmation, "The pigeons are still there! I repeat. The pigeons are still there! Now with glorious path tracing. Share so that people are made aware." The top reply? "Glory to low poly."

Glory to low poly indeed, anon. Glory to low poly indeed.

Now that the matter of low-poly pigeons in The Witcher 3 Remastered has been settled, we can all enjoy the game. After all, it is currently the top-scoring game of 2026 on Metacritic, beating out the original RPG by two points.

CD Projekt Red isn't done with the game yet, either, with new expansion Songs of the Past arriving sometime next year – and, you know, all the other exciting upcoming CD Projekt Red games, too.

The Witcher 3 Remaster overhauls skill trees, adds new quest markers, brings a mode to "reduce cognitive load," and more, CD Projekt Red reveals in patch notes.

Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida reckons that platform holders like Sony and Nintendo should keep their current hardware generations going for as long as they can as prices continue to surge.

Speaking in a new episode of The Verge's Vergecast (below), Yoshida – former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios – is asked about the potential business models and pricing strategies we could see from platforms like Xbox in the next console generation. As everything continues to get more expensive, it sounds like this is a conundrum that the former PlayStation boss reckons platform holders should avoid for as long as they can.

"Sony and Nintendo have sold enough" of their current-generation hardware, he begins, before adding: "Because of the cost of goods, they might be looking [at] pushing back the launch of next gen, and I think they should try to keep the current generation as long as possible, because I think people are very happy using PS5 and Switch 2.

"People have [a] finite budget, and it feels like PC and consoles, the components very specific to these devices have increased [in] price way more than all the other [forms] of entertainment," he continues. "People who have systems like PS5, Switch 2, or PCs – you know, good enough PCs – probably will be happy to play games on them and not necessarily consider replacing."

Yoshida acknowledges his own situation, noting that he bought a new gaming PC five years ago, and more recently, when considering upgrading again, "this price hike happened. So I was late to replace it." Understandably, he regrets not making that move a year earlier before things started to surge.

"I think that kind of thinking will happen to many people," he continues. "I don't think lots of people are asking for, 'more power, we need more power!' Or even [developers], I don't think developers [are] asking, you know, 'We need better hardware!'"

With all that in mind, Yoshida muses: "I think that means that the current generation, Sony and Nintendo are going to do pretty well for many years to come, still." Xbox's circumstances are different, he acknowledges, calling the company "a team who wants to change the competing landscape, so it's going to be hard for them, but it's their time to play." He seems optimistic though, adding, "It's very exciting, you know, what's going to happen next year?"

Whether platform holders have the same idea as Yoshida remains to be seen, though. Nintendo is in a pretty different position, having only just released the Switch 2 last year and still supporting the Switch 1, but for Sony and Microsoft, the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S will turn six this November.

Looking at Sony, historically, the major new PlayStation releases that mark a new generation have arrived every six or seven years, so if the company were to follow that pattern again, we should expect to see the PS6 very soon. A release coming later than next November would be unprecedented, but it's fair to say that the times we're in are weird enough that it might just warrant it.

Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida's highlights of Tokyo Game Show include Sonic's new indie spinoff and a game about removing hair.

Supergiant Games is known for creating original games and original worlds, from the frontierpunk action of Bastion to the contemplative sci-fi tactics of Transistor and the doomed sporting conflicts of Pyre. But with a cast of lovable, lustable takes on mythic Greek figures and arguably the greatest roguelike action ever conceived, Hades turned out to be their biggest hit yet. So making a follow-up in Hades 2 was only natural, right?

While making a sequel to Hades might've been the smart business decision, Supergiant was far more interested in making sure their creative juices were still flowing. As the devs themselves explain in a new Noclip documentary running down Hades 2's development history, the sequel wasn't set in stone.

With each new project, Supergiant takes a step back to "think about how we feel about the last game," studio director Amir Rao explains. "What kind of lessons did we take from it and how did we feel about the original game? We did our process where we considered lots of projects and I actually, at the beginning of that process, thought we almost certainly would not make a sequel to Hades."

Art director Jen Zee and others on the team saw the possibilities that a Hades sequel could provide, though. "We still have enthusiasm for this world that we've been exploring," Zee says. "The Greek pantheon is so vast. It just felt like, 'Oh, there's this beautiful orchard and there's so much fruit left on the trees. Like, we should maybe consider harvesting.'"

In fact, the challenge of following up Hades was part of the appeal of doing a direct sequel. "We approach sequels with a fair amount of skepticism because we do love exploring new worlds and we've never done it before," Zee explains. "I would say that was actually one of the appeals of making a sequel, as well – because we'd never done it before. We're real thrillsekers here. We're like, 'What if we did a sequel? No one would expect that.'"

Every dev who speaks in the documentary emphasizes the creative challenges of building the sequel as the primary motivation to make Hades 2, not the business benefits. "If making the sequel is the right financial decision, we have made the dumb decision many times in a row," as Rao puts it.

"Certainly the success factors in," Rao admits, "but with the same success comes the expectations, right? For us, we always have to ask ourselves, 'Are we ready for this?' Even if it was the right decision, we had to creatively get ourselves to a place of excitement because otherwise it's just a non-starter for the studio."

No prizes for guessing what tops our list of the best roguelike games.

There's another version of Azeroth on the way in World of Warcraft: Forever. This iteration goes back to the first year of the MMORPG's timeline, but with extra flourishes and contemporary design elements, in contrast to how WoW: Classic brings back the old school gameplay. As a result, a fan-favorite quest from an old expansion isn't available, but Blizzard's remedying the situation.

Almost 20 years ago, a special mission was added in The Burning Crusade, known as Kyle's Gone Missing. You're tasked with helping Ahab Wheathoof find his dog. That's cute and sweet as is, and it only becomes more so when you know that it was the result of a Make-A-Wish request from one Ezra 'Ephoenix' Chatterton.

He designed this questline for Blizzard, and provided the voice work for Ahab, cementing himself as part of World of Warcraft eternally. It's been a rite of passage for players ever since. The Burning Crusade isn't in Forever, but there have been enough requests to include Chatterton's work that the devs are going to anachronistically make it happen.

"We're working on it," reads a response from community manager Randy 'Kaivax' Jordan to a comment thread on the official forums asking for the mission. "Stay tuned."

The thread was started by one player who was asking on behalf of their partner, who managed to get some beta time. Forever is currently in a closed preview for members of the community, before going fully public on November 4. The area containing Kyle's Gone Missing, Mulgore, is accessible, making this a smaller leap than you might think.

I find it distinctly heartening to see so many rallying behind maintaining this commemoration. Even after 19 years, they're keeping Chatterton's memory alive. May we all enjoy such a legacy.

WoW: Forever dev says quest drops aren't changing in the MMO, but Blizzard has added " a bit of under-the-hood functionality" that makes them fairer.

The Blood of Dawnwalker has been a blur. It's been four weeks since RPG Club entered Vale Sangora, and in that time I've killed one bear, overthrown three vampires, accidentally consigned a fourth to hell, and ate more vermin than any man should have to endure. But that's all in the past (unless you'd like to refresh yourself). It's all been for the greater good, and this week we're marching into Greifberg Castle to save our family and dethrone the valley's undead ruler.

Quest Log

Midnight snack

At the beginning of September, I struggled to win one swordfight. But one month with Duelist difficulty has pried open combat's inner-workings. Playing on the hardest difficulty guts Coen's stamina, so perfect blocks have been essential – they don't cost stamina, so are the only way to fight without being staggered and killed. Landing those last-second parries comes naturally now, and in tandem with Coen's supernatural powers, Brencis' mortal soldiers no longer pose a threat.

I'm fairly confident we could stroll up to Brencis and stake the sucker now, but I promised to make Coen the strongest vampire I could. Lacra, the vampire ally we met in part two, promises one more opportunity to do so. We meet at her hideout, now one vampire fewer – having drained elder undead Isbrand and accidentally leaving his spirit in hell – and wade into another of Vale Sangora's gloomy swamps. Will-o'-the-wisps lead us to an ancient crypt, where cutting down ghosts and zombies pays off with a mandrake – a flower of condensed vampiric energy, sourced auspiciously from a body now overgrown with corrupting red tendrils.

It's now abundantly clear that Coen's vampiric powers, along with his witchcraft and the dark sorcery we've encountered throughout Vale Sangora, is sourced from the same hellish realm we left Isbrand in. Drawing upon it leads to madness and, gesturing at the corpse grown into the wall, that. But the sanctity of Coen's soul comes second to the rules of RPG Club. This mandrake is the most tangible promise of vampiric power we've encountered yet, so down the hatch it goes.

Drunk on the mandrake's power, Coen and Lacra spend the rest of the night having weird vampire sex – I'm talking claws through flesh, drinking blood, the works – and in the morning, I have two new abilities. The mandrake grants a unique perk that revives Coen from death once per night (where were you two weeks ago?), and the last vampiric power in my perk tree – mesmerizing enemies – is unlocked.

Goodbye tour

I return to Svartrau with unfinished business. Rebel leader Crake stormed out on us in part 3, furious that I messed up a reconnaissance mission, and I'd like to make amends – or at least give him the cursed tome he sent us to find before our falling-out. I'm thrilled to see him back in the hideout, and while there's no option to pick up our last conversation, he takes the tome off my hands. Out of his sulk, Crake announces that it's time to storm Castle Greifberg. I politely ask him to wait, but secretly I've already decided to overthrow Brencis with Lacra's help instead of the rebels. Besides putting mortals in danger, I think Crake's plan – which is to ally with the previous despot's heir and restore Vale Sangora's bleak status quo – is flat-out dumb. Hold off for just… two seconds, would you?

Before leaving, Crake impresses that the rebellion can't wait much longer. I'm 99% sure that nothing will happen without my go-ahead, but I don't want to risk tripping up at the finish line and prepare to meet with Lacra. There's just one problem: I've finally hit maximum notoriety with Brencis, who enacts his final edict. Svartrau's gates are lowered, sealing it from the outside world. The intent is to keep Coen out, but instead I'm trapped inside. It's also morning – which means I can't just shadowstep over the city walls.

It's a good thing my notoriety can't go any higher. The streets are flush with Brencis' men, but they can't hurt what they can't hit. Even en masse, they're fodder for the flow state – dying in scores as I comb the streets for a way out; Svartrau resembling a gothic Dynasty Warriors. But I can't find an exit, and fast travel has been disabled at the city's shrines. After 20 minutes of fruitless slaughter, I pass time at a shrine until nightfall and then flit over the walls, transforming into a wolf as I hit the ground and galloping to Lacra.

Endgame

Proceeding with Lacra will lock us into an ending, warns a pop-up – meaning we won't be able to use the hidden passage that Father Florin tipped us off to, nor help the rebels. That's fine by me: speaking purely to my odds of beating Brencis, I feel better with Lacra at my side.

Sneaking into Castle Greifberg via underground ruins, we arrive at the site of Brencis' mysterious ritual. Corpses are suspended in the air, their juicy innards drawn towards a vast orb of swirling blood above us. Brencis isn't here, neither is Coen's family, and Lacra seizes initiative – destroying an ancient font that misfires the ritual's power through the castle. Our goal is the throne room, but the ritual's energies make getting there difficult. One moment I'm fighting guards in dingy dungeons, the next fending off spirits from Vampire Hell, then back in boring stone again.

My odds of finding Coen's family in one piece look slim, but there is a silver lining. Having spared Xanthe earlier in our playthrough, the vampire boyaress honors her promise to help. Her chambers are empty of their usual foes and traps (a colleague tells me I would have faced a nasty maze if I'd killed Xanthe), leaving the last stretch to Brencis clear.

In the throneroom, tendrils have nearly finished growing over Coen's family. Brencis is here, and offers one last deal: walk away with my family, and we'll call it quits. That's not the cathartic revenge story I'm here for – and I'm not convinced Lacra can handle the battle alone – so into the boss fight we go.

30 hours ago, Brencis slapped me aside in the prologue. Now, he can barely keep up. I've juiced Coen's vampirism as far as it will go, and in tandem with Duelist mode's teachings, Brencis' lightning-fast swipes and underhanded shadowsteps are easily anticipated. Lacra is nearly taken out of the fight with a talon to the guts, but the mandrake's powers allow her to shrug off the blow – which is more than can be said for Brencis, who is torn to shreds two-on-one.

Unlike our prior vampire conquests, Brencis continues the fight in Vampire Hell, albeit far gnarlier than he was in regular un-life. But Coen is practically immortal by this point, and we have a surprising ally – the spirit of Ambrus, whose soul I spared weeks ago, appears to help kill our sire. As Brencis struggles to deflect my claws, Ambrus strikes at his exposed side, landing the final blow.

Victory! Sort of. As Brencis' spirit materializes for one last soliloquy, I decide not to invite him in, which takes me longer than expected to decide – For all the heartbreak Brencis has put Coen through, I have a real soft spot for the baddie. He even gets the last laugh: fading away, Brencis tells Coen that he's prepared one last surprise…

Epilogue

We don't get to see the surprise just yet, as we're fast-forwarded to Coen's village, Laslea, for an epilogue. Winter is approaching, and although our playthrough has been a fairly selfish pursuit of power, it bears surprisingly pleasant fruit. The village is rebuilding with the help of Vale Sangora's rebel faction, who have taken reluctant control in the power vacuum left by Brencis. Coen's family survived, with one catch. Lunka, Coen's youngest sister, is a semi-turned vampire creature who lives feral in the caves above Laslea.

There's hope for Lunka yet, though, as Lacra – revealed to be a vampire in the ancient order of Augurs – joins Coen along with her superior, who promises to finish Lunka's transformation if Coen joins their ranks. We've already done much worse to save Coen's family so with Lunka in tow, we leave Vale Sangora – and The Blood of Dawnwalker behind. There's a beefy post-credits scene detailing the impact of our choices – I'll note the most interesting ones below, and we can discuss how it differed in the comments.

• Coen's mortal family survive, but he never sees them again
• Without the vampire's blood as protection, the Black Plague returns to Vale Sangora
• With no replacement for Brencis, Vale Sangora descends into lawlessness – leaving the manumit rebels to defend the valley
• Lacra continues her work with the Augurs
• Xanthe continues to live with her daughter – but I'm pretty damn miffed, as she goes back on our deal and returns to killing young women
• The nun's convent from part one remains cursed (oops)

As for Coen, he learns to live with his vampirism – a slight understatement, given I've spent a month forcing gallons of blood down his throat. As for myself, I'm thrilled that The Blood of Dawnwalker's happy(ish) ending isn't mutually exclusive with going all-in on vampirism. There are still a lot of loose ends, least of which being a post-credits scene of a leather-clad Coen in the modern-day, and I'm keen to see how Rebel Wolves continues its planned series.

As we come to the end of September's RPG Club, how did you find The Blood of Dawnwalker? Whether you followed the same rules or struck a different direction for Coen, let me know – I'll be hanging around in the comments to answer questions and chat about our decisions. And lastly, thanks for joining me on this 30–day odyssey. I'll always save you from Vampire Hell, dear reader.

In a massive moment for the Metal Gear Solid 2 speedrunning community, a way to skip the game's first boss fight entirely has been uncovered.

Metal Gear Solid 2 is split into two parts: the Tanker and the Plant chapters, with Tanker serving as a short prologue featuring Snake. Famously, this is the only time you get to play as Solid Snake throughout the game, with Raiden being in charge for a majority of the game's runtime. Through this, Snake only gets one proper boss fight against Olga Gurlukovich, who, upon defeating, has Snake steal her USP pistol. And while you shouldn't be using it generally because non-lethal is the way to go, you need it for destroying the sensors for the bombs located on the ship.

Except that's no longer the case, as Metal Gear Solid 2 runner apel has released a video showing the discovery on YouTube (via Time Extension). In the video, apel drags an unconscious guard across to the lasers, which will then activate upon the guard waking up. Once the bombs go off, the game "triggers a flag that decides if the explosives can be triggered again or not. After the game over, if you press Continue, the game resets the value of that flag to the value it previously stored, so the explosives work again."

However, by rolling towards a checkpoint as the guard triggers the bombs, the "game saves the value of the flag after the explosions happen," which means Snake can casually stroll through, avoiding the encounter with Olga completely.

The bombs are the only section in the Tanker where you also need a lethal weapon, so you're free to move on and reach Raiden. This marks a huge shift for Metal Gear Solid 2 speedruns, as it's the first skip found that allows you to avoid a boss fight entirely. So expect some new world records in the near future.

Someone finally gave Metal Gear Solid 2 the perfect mod, letting us experience the entire tanker opening in lore-accurate VR

The Urban Survival quest in Control Resonant occurs in the Evacuation Zone, where players have to follow a trail of unauthorized mines through a parking lot and back towards the lone survivalist who's somehow still plugging along, despite the extradimensional horrors stalking the streets. There's a few strange elements to this quest, as once you find the survivalist, they're happy to send you out on missions around the city before they'll consent to evacuate, but I'll lay out the particulars of it all below in a full walkthrough, so you know what to do and all the key locations you need to find.

For more involved walkthroughs, check out our guide to the Control Resonant The Complete Set quest!

Full walkthrough for Urban Survival in Control Resonant

Urban Survival is broken into several steps in Control Resonant, all of which are marked below on the map and listed beneath that.

1. Approach the Unauthorized Mines in the Evacuation Zone, and read the "Investigation Order" collectible outside the entrance to the Parking Lot to start this quest.
2. Follow them through the Parking Lot and out back to the South to find the Survivalist's Bunker inside a warehouse. Speak to the Survivalist via the Intercom, and he'll ask you to find Olivia and his granny.
3. Olivia is inside the back office of the Pulse Fitness Gym, but isn't a person - she's a potted plant. Clear out the Hiss to get inside, then pick her up to tick off this section of the quest.
4. Granny is in the Northeast apartment building, which you can access via the rooftop entrance. Head down the elevator and into the one accessible apartment to find Granny (in an urn). With both Granny and Olivia, head back to the Survivalist, who now wants you to find his brother.
5. The first thing is to find the Survivalist's Car and to get his keys. It's a large, boxy vehicle in the Far North Evac Zone, in front of a street blocked off by Mold.
6. With the keys, head into the apartment building and upstairs to find the brother, taken by the Hiss. Take the picture of the two brothers instead and bring it back to the Survivalist to end the Urban Survival quest.

As a reward for this questline, you'll get The Plate Carrier M1 outer layer outfit piece, as well as the Untapped Heart Monitor Artifact, which gives you a one-time free respawn when you would have normally died. You can also now access the Bunker, which has a container of materials.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Idle Breakout codes can be used to achieve incredible high scores, and get to levels that would otherwise take many hours of playing (or idling) to reach. This game combines classic Breakout block-busting with an idle incremental approach, so you can actively click on blocks to earn cash or sit back and let your balls do the work. If you want to see the later levels without putting in the work, then here are the codes for Idle Breakout and how to use them.

All Idle Breakout codes

The following Idle Breakout codes can be used in the game:

All of the above Idle Breakout codes can be imported into your game to get the desired effect, though bear in mind that because these are save states rather than traditional codes, you can't combine them to stack up different boosts. At significantly higher levels the game can become unstable, so depending on your system specifications you might struggle to maintain gameplay if you jump too far forwards.

How to redeem Idle Breakout codes

To redeem codes in Idle Breakout, hit the Cog icon at the top right of the screen to open the settings menu, then press the IMPORT button to bring up a text box prompt – depending on your set up you may not see this prompt in full screen mode, so return to regular view if needed. Naturally due to the length of the Idle Breakout codes, you'll need to copy and paste them from our table above then hit Return or the OK button to access the new game state.

Expired Idle Breakout codes

• No expired codes

There aren't any expired Idle Breakout codes as they represent specific save states, so the only way any of them would stop working is if the developer changed the programming for the game, which is extremely unlikely after all this time.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida's big Tokyo Game Show recommendation is a game about removing hair.

During his time at PlayStation, Yoshida produced some of the most iconic games for the original PS1 console, but in his later years, he was known for very much being a champion of indie games at the publisher. While still at Sony, Yoshida would tweet out indie recommendations constantly, which led to him being added as a playable character in Capybara Games' Super Time Force Ultra. And since leaving Sony in 2025, this has continued, with Yoshida championing indie development in a ton of interviews.

In an interview with 4Gamer (translated by TheGamer) Yoshida drops his list of favorites from Tokyo Game Show. This includes the delightful looking Finding Polka, first-person horror Haunted Streamer, and the new Sonic the Hedgehog indie collab Sonic Pico Park.

However, Yoshida gives special props to Hair Removal Salon Simulator, which is a… hair removal salon simulator. The game features a ton of men coming into your salon and through means such as sticky tape, swords, burning, and sending out a mini goat, you help them remove all sorts of body hair.

Yoshida describes the game, saying "It's like Power Wash Simulator except you relentlessly remove hair from hairy men. It's creepy, but it feels good," adding that he "liked how the setting and the grotesque appearance were built on top of the basic feeling of satisfaction from making someone clean."

As much as I do not really vibe with the 'do a menial task you don't want to do in real life' simulator genre, this one at least seems to be somewhat funny. At the very least, I'm glad Yoshida is still keen to push indie games so prominently.

13 years after famous Microsoft dunk, ex-PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida says Xbox disc-to-digital feature is "a great move."

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is finally here, and in very positive but perhaps wholly expected news, its early reviews place it as the best version of The Witcher 3 yet, based on its Metascore. Even better, it's currently 2026's best-rated game of the year on the site, too.

11 years on, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that The Witcher 3 is a very good game. With a Metacritic Metascore of 92, the 2015 RPG is labelled as one of the site's must-play titles, and for good reason. The Complete Edition, which comes with the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, sits lower with a Metascore of 85, but that's thanks to most of the reviews for the release being logged for the Switch version, which had some mixed ratings due to its worsened performance on the platform. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, on the other hand, averaged out at an incredible 94, but these sadly didn't help the Metascore since significantly less reviews were written for them.

But it's a Metascore of 94 that The Witcher 3 Remastered is currently holding onto, based on nine reviews logged on PC. There's definitely room for fluctuation here – the Metascores of the previous two releases were based on 79 and 65 reviews, respectively – but if it's able to maintain this, it appears we have the very best version of the game on our hands. You'd hope that'd be the case, of course – it's meant to be a shinier, improved version of an already fantastic RPG – but clearly, it manages to live up to those expectations.

What's more, this score actually puts The Witcher 3 Remastered right at the top of Metacritic's list of the best games of the year – currently tied with twin stick shooter Sektori. That means it's beaten big hitters like Resident Evil Requiem, Pokemon Pokopia, and Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.

We'll soon be seeing fan reactions start flooding in, too, as the Remastered version of the game just went live less than an hour ago at the time of writing. There are certainly worse ways to pass the time waiting for The Witcher 4.

The Witcher 4 dev is "still predominantly using people" over AI in development, says CEO, but "everybody has to make those judgments on their own."

There are multiple possible endings in The Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall, and rather than focus on a fixed conclusion for Morrowind, Bethesda decided to simply make all of them canon due to magic and whatnot. While this may seem like a savvy way to dodge committing to a single timeline, it actually stems from a typo, says an ex-writer on the series.

During an appearance on the FRVR podcast, Kurt Kuhlmann, a writer and designer at Bethesda from 2003 to 2023, explains that Dragon Breaks - incidents of time getting all weird and distorted - stems from a small mistake they decided to keep, at least in his mind. "It came from the fact that there was this timeline that someone had made⁠ - this was from Daggerfall days⁠ - and there was this big gap in time," he says.

"I'm 100% convinced that, in reality, in our world, that was a typo," he recalls. "Someone just typed a date wrong in the timeline, skipped like 3,000 years or whatever by accident. It's right between the end of one year and another. So the last date in this year, and then the first date [in the next], there's this gap."

Michael Kirkbride, a concept artist, writer and designer on The Elder Scrolls series, loved the possibilities this opened up, and pitched embracing it within the lore. "He wrote up the thing about the Dragon Break, and I think he was using that also because there was the issue of Daggerfall," Kuhlmann says.

"Normally, you don't worry about that in a game," he explains. "If you want to have a sequel refer to the past⁠, you're just going to have to pick one of those [endings] and move on, and just say in the sequel of the game, 'What actually happened was this.' The player could have done all these different things, but we can't have that."

Nobody's found a completely graceful way around this. The Knights of the Old Republic games simply choose one of your possible options from the first installment; the Mass Effect trilogy eventually fell on the laser sword of the third having one finish; and Fable uses the Zelda trick of jumping forward each entry to distance itself from your choices in the predecessor. Those are three examples of many.

You accept it as an RPG fan. Dragon Breaks, named for Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time (who else?), let Bethesda do whatever and keep it all in a timey-wimey mess. "Mike was like, 'No, what we're gonna do: What if all of them happened, and you got Numidium, and it was all crazy metaphysical stuff. So why not?'" Kuhlmann adds. "Everyone sees all the different endings, and no one knows what really happened, and it's this crazy metaphysical thing."

It certainly hasn't hindered the Elder Scrolls any, since the series is now one of the biggest in the industry. Perhaps this is a lesson for writers more broadly: When faced with a fork in the road, why not both? Time isn't real anyway. Who cares? Hell yeah.

The Elder Scrolls hasn't had a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off because of a "very protective" Todd Howard, Skyrim lead suggests

As the wait for GTA 6 presses on, fans of Rockstar Games' beloved franchise are finding new ways to breathe life into older entries like GTA 5 – for instance by, uh, unofficially porting it to Nintendo's original Switch console.

Or, at least, attempting to. Paralympics Productions, a self-described "very serious game development studio" (yes, heavy on the sarcasm), has been working on a Switch port of GTA 5 for some time now, officially unveiling its release back in August on X.

Things have been relatively quiet – too quiet, perhaps – since, even after Rockstar cracked down on with strict new modding and porting guidelines earlier this month.

These guidelines made it clear that the studio doesn't allow ports of its games, reading, "Do not modify our games to operate on consoles, hardware devices, or other platforms where they have not been officially released by Rockstar Games."

So, in other words, Paralympics Productions' Switch port is a no-no… and Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive has finally noticed it, with project lead "Mojso" admitting as much.

"Paralympics Productions is shutting down on October 3rd," he writes in a new post. "Thank you everyone who supported us through tough times and lengthy development. I am sorry for not fulfilling your expectations and leaving you high and dry."

There you have it – GTA 5 devs caught the project-in-progress and have effectively axed it… but, as Mojso says, they could've been more harsh with their legal action.

"I am thankful for Take-Two's mercy so this is the definitive end," he admits. In other words, Take-Two didn't pursue a full-on lawsuit, it appears, perhaps opting for a warning and takedown order instead.

Mojso seems pleased with that, at least, stating in a response that he "wouldn't win in court most likely" as Rockstar has "solid grounds" and his attitude means he "can't even appeal to a jury or something like I didn't know what I was getting into."

He also explains that the port "was gonna release in the coming days" and "I wish Take-Two gave me more time," but it's all a bit too late now. And, no, he's "not releasing anything new and I'm not coming back."

As Mojso confirms, "it's truly over." It's disappointing for Switch enthusiasts and GTA 5 stans alike, but it's not exactly surprising. This isn't the first time a port was considered by eager modders, either.

GTA 5 modders got the game running on the Nintendo Switch way back in 2024 after the game's source code first leaked, so… yeah. I'm not sure it'll ever quite work out the way that fans hope, especially considering Rockstar's recent guideline changes.

GTA 6 fans replicate the $400 Collector's Box statue, and you can now 3D print your own ugly gator at home

With these permanent Chicken Farm codes, you can boost your egg drops, get your hands on some cash, and even pick up a few extra lucky blocks. The aim of the game here is to get as many chickens as possible, the higher quality the better, so they can lay thousands of eggs and earn you a quick buck.

With that in mind, these Chicken Farm codes come in handy, especially those that boost your egg rate and cash rate in the Roblox simulator - and there's even one here for a whopping 200,000 cash, so make sure you redeem them if you haven't already.

If you're after some more general rewards that can be used in all of your experiences, then we've got the current Roblox promo codes covered too.

All Chicken Farm codes

These codes can currently be redeemed in Chicken Farm:

• 50MVISITS - 1x Basic Lucky Block [permanent]
• ADMINARBUZ - 200,000 Cash [permanent]
• OWEMGEH - 1x Basic Lucky Block [permanent]
• PLSBESTTIER - 1x Basic Lucky Block [permanent]
• THANKSFOR100K - 3x Egg Boost (5 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]
• 666KLIKES - 2x Cash Boost (5 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]
• FREECASSSH! - 5x Cash Boost (10 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]
• GIVEMECASH - 5x Cash Boost (10 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]
• TOOOD - 5x Egg Boost (5 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]
• UPDATE8 - 5x Cash Boost (10 minutes, instant redeem) [permanent]

Many Chicken Farm codes are permanent, meaning you can redeem them any time if you haven't already. That's important, as a few of these permanent codes are for time-limited boosts that activate as soon as you redeem the code. With that in mind, be sure to redeem these codes when you'll make the most out of them.

Whether they're permanent or temporary, Chicken Farm codes aren't case-sensitive, so you only have to worry about getting the spelling right. If you're having difficulties with redemption, check you spelling or simply copy and paste from the list above.

How to redeem Chicken Farm codes

To redeem Chicken Farm codes, click on the Codes button, which is indicated by the ABX icon at the top of the screen. Next, enter a code from the list above into the redemption box and click Redeem, and your reward with be granted immediately, including those for timed boosts.

Expired Chicken Farm codes

• WOOPS
• CTRLZ
• 700KLIKES
• FREEBLOCKEH
• EGGIES
• PLSMOREEGGS
• EARLYBIRDS

As you can see from the list above, some Chicken Farm codes have expired, so they're not all permanent. Any temporary codes that expire will move down here so you don't try and redeem invalid promos.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Nearly two years have passed since Naughty Dog lifted the veil on its ambitious new sci-fi project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet – but we've not seen much of it since then.

So, when will we? Well, according to studio lead Neil Druckmann, we've still got a while to go before the developers are ready to show the mysterious game off some more.

He reveals as much in a new post on Naughty Dog's official blog, explaining, "The team is heads down on what is shaping up to be Naughty Dog’s most ambitious game yet" – and, yes, he does indeed mean Intergalactic here, which makes it all the more exciting.

"There's an electricity around the studio right now as all the pieces come together, and we're stoked to finally unveil Intergalactic in all its glory," he continues… but not yet.

"We need to cook for just a little bit longer. So we want to set expectations: we're going to be quiet for the rest of this year. In 2027, that changes. We'll fully reveal Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet and give you a proper look at Jordan's wild sci-fi adventure."

Jordan is the intriguing Intergalactic protagonist, just to be clear, played by the ever-talented Tati Gabrielle. And, yes, this means we won't see more of the action-adventure gem until next year, but Naughty Dog is well aware of how lengthy our wait has been.

"We know it's been a long time since we've had much to share with you," as Druckmann states. "We don't take your continued support for granted." The devs need the time, though.

"We're working incredibly hard to make something worthy of your patience," after all, as the blog update concludes. "Until then…" Until then, I'd wager we'll be waiting with bated breath – I mean, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet doesn't appear to be a small game by any means.

The last big news we got about it was at the tail end of August, when Naughty Dog teased that it finished filming an "ambitious" cinematic shoot with Gabrielle.

Here's hoping Intergalactic's 2027 drop arrives earlier in the new year rather than later. We're only months away from it if so – I know I'll be keeping my own fingers crossed.

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet "might need to be edited" to avoid "another Last of Us 2 situation," former Naughty Dog dev warns

The washing machine puzzle in Control Resonant is set in a laundry, wherein players are given numerous washing machines to play with, and a note on the wall with a grid of ones and zeros. It's easy to be a bit confused by what's expected of you here, but I'll lay out how to solve it and what you need to know about the washing machine puzzle solution.

Did you know that this puzzle might secretly be linked to the lore of the Control Resonant FBC Terminals that ask you questions? Check out the link to find out more!

How to solve the Washing Machine puzzle in the Control Resonant laundry

The key to the Washing Machine puzzle is that the grid of ones and zeros on the poster is meant to represent the rows of washing machines inside the Laundry, and which ones should be turned on and off. If you interpret a One as meaning "on", you can activate specific machines, which solves the puzzle.

However, if you need a simple guide, we've got both written and visual representation below. Rows of machines are numbered left to right, with orange marks to represent which ones you should turn on. If a machine has no mark on it, it either can't be interacted with, or it should be switched off.

• Row 1 (Left side/West): Turn on the machine next the break in the middle.
• Row 2: No machines turned on.

• Row 3: No machines turned on.
• Row 4: Turn on the machines at each end of the row, closest and furthest from the entrance.

• Row 5: Turn on the two machines next to each other in the middle.
• Row 6 (Right side/East): Turn on the machine in the middle.

If done correctly, this should open a secret door in the Laundry backroom. Heading through will reveal a secret area with several collectibles, as well as a crate with a Health Upgrade Point.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

The Last of Us and Naughty Dog boss Neil Druckmann has once again teased two "exciting new projects" are in the works for the series, but he's not going to tell you what they are yet.

In a statement shared following this year's Last of Us Day (commemorating the in-universe Outbreak Day on September 26), Druckmann reconfirms that we can expect more Last of Us at some point, and promises that whatever Naughty Dog is cooking up will be worth it.

"Since Grounded II, we've talked about the possibility of telling more stories in the world of The Last of Us," Druckmann begins, referring to the 2024 documentary covering the making of The Last of Us Part 2.

"We have a couple of very exciting new projects in very early stages – so we can't say much about them at this point. I will tell you that both projects will expand the canon of The Last of Us beyond Part I and Part II," he continues. "The world of The Last of Us means a great deal to us, and we wouldn't return to it unless we had something meaningful to say. We believe these stories are worth telling."

Druckmann actually already teased these two projects at the start of the month, at which point he said that "we're not done with The Last of Us," and "there's a couple projects in the works that, when the time is right, I'm very excited to talk about." Clearly, with him now confirming that they're in the "very early stages," we shouldn't expect to see anything of them any time soon.

The promise to "expand the canon" of the first two games is an interesting note – it rules out the possibility of yet more remasters or remakes of the same releases, which is something. Look, after the first game got both a remaster and remake within nine years of its initial launch, anything seemed possible. The phrasing also notably doesn't confirm Part 3 – the projects could seemingly be set at any point in The Last of Us universe's timeline. Joel and Tommy prequel, anyone?

Otherwise, I can't help but notice the word "projects" is used instead of 'games' – there's a chance here that one or both of them aren't actually full-fat new releases, though I'm hopeful that this isn't the case. In previous blog posts, Druckmann referred to both The Last of Us Part 2 and The Last of Us Online as projects, too, and while the latter has unfortunately since been canceled, it was still set to be a standalone title in its own right.

Needless to say, this language clearly isn't unusual here, but we'll just have to wait and see what the team at Naughty Dog is cooking up. For now, as Druckmann notes, the devs are "heads down on what is shaping up to be Naughty Dog's most ambitious game yet" in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which is now set for a full reveal at some point next year.

Sony reportedly stops The Last of Us Part 2 multiplayer mod in its tracks right before its launch: "Extremely sad that this never got to see the light of day."

Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc is long complete, 2023's acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion cementing the RPG's legacy as one of this generation's all-time greats. Even as I sit here in 2026 writing this, it's still jarring to talk about Cyberpunk 2077 in such a uniformly positive light, and that's because I was doing this exact same job back in December 2020 when the game finally launched after multiple delays... and got absolutely dragged through the mud. We have a curated list of the best Cyberpunk 2077 bugs we could find at the time, if that gives you an idea of the state of the game at launch.

Shortly after launch, developer CD Projekt Red began rapid firing patches and updates at Cyberpunk 2077 in an effort to address widespread performance and technical issues, culminating in the massive 1.5 "next-gen" update that really marked a turning point in the game's overall trajectory. The whole Edgerunners update and Netflix tie-in sealed the deal, and Phantom Liberty felt like icing on the cake. Cyberpunk 2077 was back, baby. And yet, its initial launch was so disastrous that it'll forever remain a scar on CDPR's resume, a fact not lost on designer Pawel Sasko.

Reflecting on three years of Phantom Liberty in a lengthy Twitter post, Sasko says: "I do not think Phantom Liberty erases the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, and I would never want to tell our story that way." I have a feeling there's a part of every person working at CDPR that wishes things were handled differently at Cyberpunk 2077's launch, but I admire Sasko's acknowledgment of the very real issues paying customers like myself faced six years ago.

"Phantom Liberty sold more than 15 million copies by now. I am incredibly grateful for those numbers, but what stays with me most after three years is what making this expansion taught me about directing games, trusting people, making choices meaningful, giving characters space to breathe and accepting the scars that come with making something this difficult," he writes.

Not to beat a previously dead horse, but Cyberpunk 2077's launch wasn't just a technical mess. It was a full-blown disaster, prompting several storefronts to offer refunds and Sony to issue a warning on the PlayStation Store not to buy the game on PS4. Yes, Phantom Liberty is great, and yes, it absolutely does not "erase the launch of Cyberpunk 2077."

CD Projekt Red worked backwards from Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's brutal final choice "and rewrote scenes many times," lead dev says

Since the RAM shortage seems to be neverending, PlayStation has had no choice but to separate the Real Gamers from the boys while preparing its PS5 Pro lottery system in Japan. Anyone who participates will be required to have at least 60 hours of playtime on their Sony account since 2024.

Video game industry update account Genki translates a Japanese PlayStation blog that went live on September 27, explaining that "PS5 Pro is also facing stock shortages in Japan." The latest GTA 6 reveal in August decimated PS5 Pro stock here in the US, and scalpers worldwide are responding by pricing the upgraded console as nefariously as possible.

So, according to a machine translated version of PlayStation's blog, only those with at least 60 hours of playtime on PS5 or PS4, or both, earned between September 27, 2024 and September 27, 2026 can purchase a PS5 Pro through its lottery system. This modest proof of being a Real Gamer will also need to be reflected on your online Sony account.

Eligible gamers in Japan can apply to purchase a PS5 Pro now through Wednesday, October 7, and Sony will start notifying "winners" (winners of the chance to spend 137,980 yen, slightly less than the PS5 Pro's $900 price tag in the US) on October 26.

Act fast. PlayStation is also enforcing a deadline for lottery winners to swipe their credit card – PS5 Pros need to be bought by November 2, or else successful lottery spots gets thrown back into a re-draw scheduled to happen later this year.

The whole thing is giving global PlayStation fans some ideas.

"I hope this is what they do for the eventual PS6 release," says a top comment in a related Reddit thread. Since these console shortages are more about missing parts than players clamoring to spend all their money on a machine that can't even play discs, PlayStation might have to, no matter what you think of it.

PlayStation is "hearing the feedback from customers" on discs, says JRPG boss whose business is built on physical games.

PS5 emulators are already making massive strides in compatibility and performance. A series of recent updates to major PS5 emulation projects have seen more and more games categorized as playable, even including notable AAA releases like Demon's Souls and Astro Bot.

SharpEmu and KytyPS5 are arguably the two most notable PS5 emulator projects, and they both keep full compatibility lists of tested titles at their respective sites. Take note right now: neither emulator is yet a truly viable way to play PS5 games. You will experience bugs, visual glitches, and performance issues even in the tiny handful of games that actually boot right now.

But the mere fact that PS5 emulation is even at the fringe of viability right now is, frankly, mind-blowing. A SharpEmu dev who goes by Scarecrow tweets that "out of 55 tested games, 12 can now reach in-game, and 6 of them are fully playable at 60 FPS," as of the latest update. The titles here are mostly small indie projects and retro collections – things like the Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered package – but progress is progress.

Over on KytyPS5, things are looking even more impressive. There, the Demon's Souls remake was running at 30fps as of just a few weeks ago. "I have to admit, this one hurts a little," Scarecrow said in a tweet at the time. "Demon's Souls has been one of the milestones I've been chasing with SharpEmu for a long time, and seeing KyTyPS5 running it this well is both impressive and humbling."

Within the past few days, users have been posting videos of Demon's Souls running on KytyPS5 at upwards of 40 to 50fps. Granted, it takes a monstrous RTX 5090 and i9-14900K to get up to that frame rate and it's still below the 60fps of the PS5 game's performance mode, but again, this just shows how compatibility is progressing far faster than anyone could've predicted.

So why is PS5 emulation developing so much faster than, say, PS4 emulators did? Part of the answer seems to be AI. A video from Modern Vintage Gamer – which also demonstrates Astro Bot running at frame rates up to 30fps – suggests that "AI is a big part of this process now."

The exact extent of AI use in either project isn't 100% clear, though KytyPS5's GitHub page says that AI tools are allowed for "research, reverse engineering, and development assistance," while SharpEmu's page says AI assistance is allowed for "research, reverse engineering, code generation, or documentation." Both emulators are clear on one particular front: contributors have to actually understand and be able to explain any AI-assisted code that they submit.

Neither disclosure is entirely unlike the one employed by RPCS3, though the devs behind the PS3 emulator were begging contributors to "stop submitting AI slop code" just a few months ago. Reading between the lines, it seems devs are fed up with unskilled programmers who are using AI to craft code they don't actually understand, as opposed to experienced devs using AI as an assistance tool. I guess the allure of vibecoding is just too powerful for people desperate to play PS5 exclusives on PC.

PS5 Linux dev abandons the project as AI "slop kiddies" ruin open-source mods ahead of GTA 6: "Just a bunch of noobs using LLMs and writing hacks they don't even understand."

The remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt comes out tomorrow, and CD Projekt Red has released a list of the most notable changes you'll find in the mammoth RPG. You've got plenty of audio and visual improvements, of course, but there are some deeper tweaks to be mindful of, too.

One such example is in the skill trees. "Skills are now organized into a skill tree and each skill has three ranks," read the notes. "Unlocking new skills now requires having the necessary prerequisite skills rather than spending a set number of skill points."

Your existing skill points will be reset if you're importing a save file, so be wary of that, and several of the skills have been renamed to be more appropriate to what they represent. No examples are given, so it'll be worth scanning through to re-orientate yourself across your entire build.

A real quality-of-life improvement is that quest markers have been altered in your world map. Incomplete questlines have their own marker now, letting you choose what you're up to much more easily.

Another change that I quite enjoy is that meditation will now give you a neat little time-lapse rather than just putting you into a menu. This is the kind of little detail that can improve immersion, especially in longer sessions, and I'm glad it's now part of the game.

A big addition is the Bard's Ballad mode for accessibility. It's "designed to reduce cognitive load for players who experience mental fatigue or have difficulty concentrating. It streamlines gameplay by simplifying certain mechanics and disabling select features for a smoother, more focused adventure."

Anything that makes games like this more approachable and relaxing is good by me. Even the photo mode's got a look in here, with loads more options for your camera work, including the power to insert any character into the frame after you've picked your shot. Mighty.

Have a perusal of everything once the update lands tomorrow. Then you can start preparing for Songs of the Past to arrive next year.

The Witcher 3 writer behind the RPG's most iconic questline returns to CD Projekt Red after 10 years, right on time for The Witcher 4

Strange things are happening to a strange game – Abandoned, the survival horror shooter indie studio Blue Box Game first announced in 2021 and initially planned to release that same year, is suddenly back on the PlayStation store after the PS5-exclusive was previously taken down, and then added back, and taken down, and…

Some people think of Abandoned as "The Survival Horror Game That Never Existed," because, well, it doesn't exist. Blue Box delayed the game indefinitely in 2022, saying, "We will continue to work on the game and we will notify you when we are ready." That hasn't happened yet. So, while the game's latest PlayStation store listing carries what should be an intriguing 2027 release window, its game description is still too sparse to inspire new confidence: "Abandoned is a horror survival shooter with the focus on realism."

All Abandoned is really doing by returning to the PlayStation Store is confirming it was not a shared delusion. I can't go any further than that and say it's becoming The Survival Horror Game That May Exist, since the game's history is already defined by so much conspiracy and controversy.

Many people were convinced in 2021 that Abandoned was secretly a Hideo Kojima project, thinking the gray woods and sparse trees that show up in its announcement teaser would fit into a Silent Hill revival by way of Metal Gear, iron-colored realism. Remember, "Abandoned is a horror survival shooter with the focus on realism."

Other theorists in the half-joking subreddit r/TheBlueBoxConspiracy decided Blue Box itself was actually a Death Stranding reference since both Kojima Productions and Blue Box are indie studios, and Death Stranding protagonist Sam sometimes heaves blue boxes, and, one time, Sam dropped a box of oranges (orange box), and the complementary color for an orange box would be a blue box.

"This takes us straight to the Blue Box Studios, the game studios that is widely considered to be just a cover for Kojima's next big project," decides one tin-foil hat owner. "Does it sound crazy? Yeah, maybe. But the sudden Box/Box connection and the Orange/Blue as opposite colors may be too much for a coincidence while talking about such a suspicious topic."

Unfortunately, Blue Box outright denied the connection, and it took a while, but people finally internalized it. That's around when Abandoned started to seem truly… abandoned. Its playable Prologue never materialized. Blue Box stopped using social media, and now its YouTube page doesn't even display Abandoned's existing trailers. People started calling the game a scam, with one Reddit comment from four years ago saying, "It's unbelievable that so many people thought this was Kojima just a year ago. [...]

"The alternative was simply thinking the game was vaporware and/or a scam. And sure enough that's exactly what it was in the end."

So, I don't think Abandoned's vague, new 2027 release window is enough to change this perception. But it's something.

Hideo Kojima's Physint isn't costing Xbox $400 million after all, with new reports suggesting the Metal Gear successor's actual budget is "significantly less."

Rather than pay $400 for the GTA 6 Collector's Box to get it, fans are now downloading and 3D printing the ugly alligator figure included in the bundle.

Rockstar Games releases are usually pretty popular, and there's no doubt that it'll sell a ton of copies the second it releases GTA 6 (or anything else) to the public. And with that sort of guaranteed success, it probably makes sense to drop an expensive collector's edition of the game for those who really want to go all-out for it, but uhh… a $400 box that doesn't include the game is probably not the most appealing prospect for many. So much so that scalpers were struggling to get one over on people at first, with the box remaining in stock for a decent amount of time.

And I can't really say I blame them. It's one thing to drop a massively expensive collector's edition, it's another to not include the game, but on top of that, it mostly feels like tat. One of the centerpiece items is a figurine of in-game TV show mascot Macca the Gator, who is a bright pink alligator in a blue shirt holding a blunt and a martini. It's pretty ugly, and feels like the type of thing Rockstar would intentionally make ugly as a commentary on tacky mascot characters.

But despite it being a certified uggo, clearly some people want it and now that the GTA 6 collector's edition has somehow sold out. Rather than pay $400 or pay for a scalper however, some are already coming up with other means to get their Macca fix. As highlighted by Twitter user Top5Gamingx, someone has already recreated the ugly reptile as a 3D model for people to 3D print in their own free time.

Of course, you'd need to own a 3D printer, pay for the filament needed to print it, potentially paint it, and then have to deal with an ugly gator figure in your vicinity. But it's the thought that counts!

Rockstar reportedly reminded GTA 6's voice cast they're still under NDA after actor Stephen Root let slip he's in the game.

Argos is already at the top of my list for UK retailer recommendations if you were to ask me, "Where should I order my Nintendo Switch 2 from?" This new limited-time offer just sweetens the deal.

From today, you can pick up either Pokemon Pokopia, Star Fox, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond, or Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition for just £20 (via Argos), so long as you order it alongside the Switch 2. With titles like Pokopia typically still found between £54 and its full price, this is one of the single best Nintendo Switch bundle deals available today, as no matter what you pick, you're getting the console and a physical game for £374.99. Sounds yummy to me!

The Nintendo Switch 2 launched on June 5 last year for £395.99, and the standalone version then rose to £419.99 on September 1. In the wake of this price hike, I was fully prepared for console bundle deals to be pretty lackluster and never drop below the original MSRP, but Argos has proved me wrong.

The console is currently up at the iconic UK retailer's storefront for as little as £354.99, which is a saving of £65 off its new price, and £41 off its original price. Being able to grab a physical game for just £20 in addition to that is the cherry on top of the already amazing Nintendo deal cake. Particularly as Argos has included some tasty releases as part of today's savings.

Star Fox only launched on June 25 earlier this year, and physical copies can be found for £49.99, including at the official Nintendo UK store. Adding it to your cart today will drop £29.99 off instead, which is more than justifiable for the incredible remake of the iconic N64 game. Not to mention, the game has since received a free update as of September 30, which adds four-player local support for Battle Mode, alongside three new battle stages. All of that for £20 feels like a no-brainer if you're a big fan of the N64 original.

Personally, I'd recommend that, or sticking with Pokemon Pokopia as your game of choice. While it's a game-key card release, picking it up for £20 means a saving £46.99 off its full £66.99 (Nintendo UK) price tag. In fact, the Switch 2 Pokopia bundle is even at Argos for £429.99 today, so you'd be saving £55 off that too, and only missing out on a Ditto-covered box.

Whatever your game of choice, you only have until October 6 to grab this limited Argos offer, so you'd best make up your mind soon.

• View all Nintendo Switch gaming deals at Argos

Our best Nintendo Switch 2 controller, best Nintendo Switch headsets, and best Nintendo Switch 2 microSD Express Card guides are full of accessories that will enhance your new Ninty setup.

To eat the Mold in Control Resonant is a strange choice, but one that is nonetheless provided when you're hunting down the Resonant Boss Fight in The Park. Characters have been repeatedly telling Dylan not to eat the Mold up until this point, but they've not been especially clear about the perils or consequences of doing so, which begs the question... what happens when you do eat it? I'll explain below.

Warning: The following guide contains spoilers for The Park Resonant questline.

What happens if you eat the Mold in Control Resonant?

Yes, you should Eat the Mold in Control Resonant, as that's the only way to progress The Park Resonant questline and you can't do so otherwise.

Don't worry, there's no negative impact to eating any of the Mold, which is good as you'll have to eat several more pieces of it across the quest afterwards. Having eaten some in the middle of The Park, you then need to find four more pieces at marked locations and defeat the Mold enemies nearby to access (and eat) them.

After eating all of the pieces, Dylan will be able to return to the first location and pass through the barrier that's been preventing him from reaching the Resonant beneath. It's implied in Control Resonant that eating the Mold warps the brains of people and absorbs them into the hive mind all this cosmic fungus operates under, but Dylan's paranatural power means that he's able to largely resist its influence, so no worries there. Head through the barrier to the boss fight beyond, and you'll be able to use all the Mold-themed powers and combat abilities in Control Resonant.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Turtle Beach's new Animal Crossing accessories are an adorable, stellar spectacle. The brand has added not one controller to its repertoire, but two new gamepad designs available for $49.88 each (via Amazon) to its Rematch line-up. They're both cute enough as is, but they each reveal a cute secret pattern once illuminated, including a starry night sky twinkling above the iconic K.K. Slider while he's strumming away.

The brand has also unveiled a pair of cases, and the K.K. Slider one even matches the dazzling display of its controller counterpart. I fully expected the cases just to be a simple copy-and-paste job, and that is what you'll find with the Timmy Tommy version. However, the glow-in-the-dark K.K Slider model goes the extra mile, and together, they're some of the best Switch 2 accessories I've seen inspired by New Horizons.

It's rare that I prefer a batch of US and UK-released Switch 2 peripherals over any Japan release, like Keys Factory's Animal Crossing lineup, and yet I undoubtedly do. By default, the blue and purple look of the officially licensed K.K. Slider gamepad is a pretty sight to behold. Often, Animal Crossing merch and gaming tech opt for green and earth-toned color palettes, which instantly makes this cool-colored controller stand out.

I am a little biased, as I adore K.K. Slider, and he's slapped on the right grip, giving a performance on his guitar, but I'd have been happy if any character was on there - especially as Celeste would have been more fitting. Just like the Mario and Luigi version of this accessory, the RGBs are what really sell it. Turning them on makes the stars twinkle and solidifies my admiration not just for Animal Crossing, but for RGB tech as a whole.

Besides its cute aesthetic, the Switch 2 controller isn't too bad either. I have a few of these kicking around, and am really fond of its TMR sticks, comfortable ergonomic fit, mappable back paddles, and 40-hour battery life. Having the RGBs on will drop those hours down to 12, which is pretty annoying, but you can turn them off if that becomes a big issue, and the USB-C charging port makes them easy to recharge.

You also don't need to worry about battery life with the case, as it's utilising some good old glow-in-the-dark science to match the controller's fancy light show. It includes the same purple-blue K.K. Slider design and happens to be a re-skin of one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases I've tested so far: the Turtle Beach PlayTrek Travel Case.

While I haven't had hands-on experience with this exact design, that means this version should be pretty robust and include plenty of accessory space, from a fabric mesh pocket to a slab built for up to 12 physical games. The only issue I had with the Mario Bricks version I tested was that the lenticular cover was prone to cosmetic damage, but that shouldn't be an issue with a glow-in-the-dark paint job.

If you do happen to prefer the typical green look of past Animal Crossing goodies, the Timmy & Tommy controller and case may be more your style. The controller is also a reskin of the Turtle Beach Switch 2 Rematch pad, but the faceplate art of the two Tanukis reveals a pattern of Animal Crossing trees and foliage. It's not quite as clever as the light-up starry sky, and the PlayTrek case unfortunately doesn't glow, but the more designs, the merrier.

Both sets of Turtle Beach Animal Crossing Switch 2 accessories are available from the official Turtle Beach online store, or from Amazon US and Amazon UK.

• View all Turtle Beach Nintendo Switch 2 accessories at Amazon

Creating the ultimate Switch 2 setup? Check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch headsets, the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers while you're here.

Dressmaker has been making steady rounds online since its release on Steam last week, with many fans considering it one of the best new games to grace PC players in 2026 – and seeing all of the creative potential in the sim has me convinced they're right.

In case you've not browsed the web at all over the past seven days or so, Dressmaker has the cozy gaming community in a chokehold – and, yes, I'm there, too.

With "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam and a gameplay loop that'd hook fashion girlies and newcomers to the dressmaking world alike, it's one heck of an indie gem… and boy, are people getting their money's worth out of it.

Think elaborate designs and then some.

Just have a look at this recreation of The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh over on X – I'm not sure I can even put into words how much dedication and precise bead placement such a design would take.

One commenter sums it up nicely (and amusingly): "Sorry for owning the game too, damn."

Another dress design sees a similarly hilarious response, reading, "We aren't even playing the same game." Tell me about it, anon.

An entirely different one that caught my eye is this Mona Lisa rendition in dress form. It's short, sweet, and beautiful.

Keep in mind that these designs stem from players placing singular beads to create art and desired patterns – it's not easy work by any means.

A quick search on the social media platform shows many like it as well: a monarch butterfly dress that's left me swooning, "dress armor" that almost looks real, traditional Balkan wear, and you name it.

If you can think it up, somebody's probably done it in Dressmaker, because why not? A fan sums it up well in their own post: "No such thing as a chill dressmaking game anymore when the bar just keeps going higher (I say this with all the praise because WOW this is gorgeous)" – and, yeah, an image of a stunning angelic dress is attached.

It's safe to say that Dressmaker has one heck of a creative community, y'all, and I'm personally so here for it.

"I couldn't be more proud": With 98% Overwhelmingly Positive Steam reviews and surging player numbers, indie dev says "it seems I may have peaked with a dressmaking game"

The Gears of War E-Day release time is fast approaching, and if you've already made your purchase to secure the pre-order bonus of Early Access then it will arrive even earlier for you. This is your opportunity to join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they experience the devastation of Emergence Day, with an origin story detailing those first encounters with the Locust Horde. To find out when you can begin, this is when you can play Gears of War E-Day in Early Access and general release.

If you're hoping to play Gears of War E-Day on PS5, then unfortunately we have some bad news for you about Xbox exclusivity.

When does Gears of War E-Day come out?

If you qualify for the Gears of War E-Day pre-order bonus then this grants you Early Access to the game, starting five days earlier than anyone else on Thursday, October 1. This is a simultaneous worldwide launch where everyone will get access at the Gears of War E-Day release time of 3pm UTC on Xbox and PC, as confirmed by studio head Mike Crump in this Xbox Wire post. That converts in different regions as follows:

• US West Coast: 8am PDT
• US East Coast: 11am EDT
• UK: 4pm BST
• Central Europe: 5pm CEST
• Eastern Australia: 1am (next day) AEST
• New Zealand: 4am (next day) NZDT

Regardless of whether you've pre-ordered or not, everyone can pre-install Gears of War E-Day from Tuesday, September 29 at the above times so you're ready for action at launch. If you didn't pre-order or are playing via Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you can get into it from Tuesday, October 6 at the worldwide launch times shown above.

As all of these releases occur simultaneously around the globe, there is no need to mess around with your device's internal clock or attempt the 'New Zealand time zone trick', as none of that will get you access any earlier. However, you should definitely take advantage of the pre-installation period starting on September 29, as Gears of War E-Day is likely to be a significant download and you don't want to still be waiting for it to arrive when launch time rolls around.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

This year's BlizzCon brought the announcement of Diablo 5. Although we're still a few years out from the sequel, development is already winding down on Diablo 4, to the point we're not getting any more major expansions. One of the co-creators of fellow action-RPG Path of Exile isn't enamored by Blizzard's strategy here, believing it undermines the series and the fanbase.

Chris Wilson, one of the central designers of Path of Exile, made these points in a YouTube video. "It feels like they're abandoning Diablo 4," he says of the announcement. "They even clarified there would be no more expansions developed for Diablo 4, but there would be some content released, I assume by the small team left running it."

He finds the proposed roadmap disappointing, to say the least. "One of those pieces of Diablo 4 content is a 30th anniversary event called Season of Hell's Legacy," he comments. "To be honest, this event feels pretty distasteful to me. I feel that games should have respect for their core storylines, and treat their antagonists with the respect that they deserve."

As you might have guessed, he doesn't believe the proposed gameplay additions or their presentation manage this. "Diablo 4 was slowly building up to you eventually getting to fight the Prime Evils, and then they introduce them all at once in this special event that isn't really tied into the game's storyline," he observes.

"They brought back Deckard Cain for the event, even though he was canonically killed in Diablo 3," he adds. In his mind, this makes it seem like "causality and story events" don't hold the appropriate weight, and "that we shouldn't take them seriously."

This is compounded by Blizzard calling Diablo, the big bad himself, "the birthday boy" on-stage. "If your franchise is called Diablo, and you've made billions of dollars from games that sell a fantasy of players working towards getting to confront and defeat Diablo, the Lord of Terror, then you should treat him with the utmost respect," Wilson states.

Not really the place for kiddy nicknames, is it? Despite all of this, Wilson is "tentatively hopeful" for Diablo 5. It's going back to more RNG-heavy world design, it has a truly desolate worldview, and he's pleased by the font choice for the logo. Hopefully Blizzard stays the course in its decision-making.

Diablo 5 tells "three stories" across the past, present, and future, and biomes will change shape depending on which of Diablo's minions is in charge

The FBC Terminals in Control Resonant are strange, as they have clearly been hacked to allow a mysterious character to ask Dylan questions about what's going on, giving the choice to answer or not. As you play more of Control Resonant, you'll discover more of these FBC Terminals, inquiring more and more details about the Bureau, Jesse, Dylan and the eldritch entities that they're encountering. If you want to know more, I'll explain the correct answers for the FBC Terminals: or rather, explain that there aren't any.

What answers should you give to the FBC Terminals in Control Resonant?

The reality is that it doesn't matter what answers you give to any of the FBC Terminals throughout Control Resonant, as the rewards given to you are the same no matter what answers you give, with the exception of refusing to answer at all, which gives you nothing. Those rewards are:

• 200x Source
• 1x Guest Echo
• 1x Aberrant Slivers

There are also no long-term consequences for the answers you give in Control Resonant, at least as I've encountered. This has led some fans in the community to speculate that this is a teaser for a sequel or DLC to come later down the line.

Who's asking questions through the FBC Terminals?

The identity of the person communicating with you through the FBC Terminals is never revealed in Control Resonant explicitly, though there are some clues. While exploring the Manhattan, players can find puzzles that reveal hidden rooms, where it appears as though a mysterious third party has been hiding and spying on the FBC.

Some fans have speculated that this is the "Blessed Organization", a criminal organization variously mentioned in Control 1, Alan Wake 2 and now Control Resonant, a criminal syndicate, person or entity that uses AWEs and supernatural items to its own benefit. The Blessed Organization has only been mentioned sparingly and off-hand up until this point, but it's possible that they'll be a larger factor and presence in future Control games.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Now that GTA 6 is mere weeks away, one emerging question is what Rockstar will go for next. The studio has multiple series it could return to; Red Dead Redemption 3 seems an obvious choice for the future, but according to a reliable leaker, LA Noire 2 is first on the studio's docket.

This particular bit of information is actually a few years old, stemming from a round of leaks from a user on 4chan back in 2023. They posted a number of titbits surrounding GTA 6 and Rockstar's plans that were then reposted on unofficial messageboard GTAForums.

For what Rockstar's looking at beyond the sixth mainline Grand Theft Auto, apparently the company's looking at going back to some detective work. A sequel to LA Noire is slated, heading to San Francisco to look for the Zodiac Killer.

At the time, the leaker predicted a release window of at least 2030, and aspirations of this being a standard-setter visually. I can safely imagine the latter, but even 2030 seems optimistic now. Supporting GTA 6 will take the lion's share of Rockstar's manpower through 2027 and probably 2028 as well, not leaving much room for another full-on release.

Many of the mechanics they mentioned for the new Grand Theft Auto turned out to be accurate, such as the dynamics between Jason and Lucia, where you decide how romantically involved they are through your choices. The accuracy of their predictions definitely lends some credence to their mention of LA Noire 2.

Rockstar's owner, Take-Two, even suggested LA Noire would be on the table for what's coming up. "There’s nothing to announce on LA Noire specifically, and if there were, it would be Rockstar announcing it, not me," CEO Strauss Zelnick said at the iicon event in April. "But in any case, with regard to our legacy IP, the teams are always looking at what we have and we’re always thinking about it."

It's now been 15 years since the first game, a noir-y detective sim where you have to rumble a drug ring that's infested the local police department in 1940s Los Angeles. It was an ambitious, charming project, and there's plenty of ground for a potential revisit. We'll see what emerges.

Rockstar reportedly reminded GTA 6's voice cast they're still under NDA after actor Stephen Root let slip he's in the game

Valve boss Gabe Newell has responded to a fan asking about his Mongolian throat singing era, and he corroborates stories that it was pretty annoying.

Last week, Counter-Strike co-creator Minh "Gooseman" Le revealed in an interview that at one point during his time at Valve, the president and co-founder of the company decided to get really into Mongolian throat singing and would practice it around the halls of the Valve office. Le says Newell did this for around "five months," recalling, "I remember a lot of people in the office, they were kind of annoyed with this."

Twitter user tbaszt emailed Newell about this story, eager to find out if there was truth to it, and to their surprise, the developer himself actually replied. Newell recalls, "I had chatted with Paul Pena about it after I tried learning on my own. I am entirely self taught and it shows."

Newell explains that through practicing different styles such as Sygyt and Kargyraa, he "got to the point where I was really… annoying." However, despite the stories of it annoying his coworkers, Newell admits, "Every once in a while, I'll pick it back up" even if "it takes a couple of weeks to condition my throat."

Granted, Newell's interests have become internet folklore over the years, with him investing his money into yachts because he's a scuba diving enthusiast, as well as his "room full of knives and blades and swords," with the Steam creator eventually getting into smithing blades himself.

The internet's new obsession: Gabe Newell explaining why Valve defied big tech by staying a private company and hiring "the most expensive talent."

Although The Witcher 3 came out over a decade ago now, it still boasts some of the greatest talent the video game industry has known – especially in the writing department.

Karolina Stachyra is no exception, having worked at CD Projekt Red as a senior writer on The Witcher 3 from 2012 to 2016.

She helped shape the "main storyline," as her LinkedIn profile highlights, but she also designed some of its greatest questlines – including what might just stand as the greatest of all: Bloody Baron. Stachyra created a good chunk of expansion content, too, like the Dead Man's Party quest.

In other words, she's incredibly skilled… and after about 10 years, she's returning to the beloved Witcher studio as an "expert writer" – right on time for The Witcher 4, you know.

Stachyra doesn't actually specify what projects she's working on now, however, so it might not be The Witcher 4, to be fair. There's a small chance she's contributed to The Witcher 3 Remastered or Songs of the Past as well, considering the timing.

Stachyra's profile says her new stint at CD Projekt Red started in February this year, when she joined as a freelance consultant. August is when she stepped into her presumably more stable role as expert writer – but that's all the LinkedIn specifies, really.

It's exciting to see, nonetheless, especially as her return marks yet another talented arrival at the studio. Back in May, there was senior Kingdom Come: Deliverance designer and writer Zdeněk Glatz.

Before that, CD Projekt Red welcomed other Warhorse Studios veterans, an ex-Baldur's Gate 3 dev, a former Mass Effect lead, and more – over 220 new developers, in fact.

The future looks bright for the company, if you ask me, with so much in store. There's The Witcher 4, of course, but also Cyberpunk 2 and other new titles shrouded in mystery. In other words, it's a brilliant time to be an RPG stan… that's for certain.

Searching for new games to wishlist? Browse through our roundup of the best upcoming CD Projekt Red games to keep an eye on.

A dev behind one of Steam's most unexpected indie hits of the year, Dressmaker, says he "couldn't be more proud" as the viral dressmaking sim continues to soar, breaking its concurrent player records.

Dressmaker launched on Steam last week, and the concept is exactly what you'd expect – the cozy simulation game lets you choose different fabrics, cut patterns, and create bespoke gowns, all with some seriously impressive creative freedom. It very quickly hit an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on the storefront – in fact, since we last spoke about it, it's gone from 96% to 98% positive – and as you'd expect, it's seeing a healthy number of players as a result.

Taking to Twitter, Ruan Rothmann, a dev at Dressmaker publisher Free Lives who previously worked on side-scrolling run 'n' gun Broforce and gladiator simulator Gorn, celebrates Dressmaker's success. "I used to be worried that I peaked way too early in my career. Now it seems I may have peaked with a dressmaking game," he writes, sharing a screenshot of the game's concurrent player chart, and adding: "Dressmaker is awesome and I couldn't be more proud."

Rothmann's screenshot shows Dressmaker with a concurrent player peak just above 25k, but it's actually surged well above that since his post. At the time of writing, Dressmaker's record sits at 35,650 concurrent Steam players – a peak it hit yesterday (thanks, SteamDB). With over 28k players actively dressmaking as I type this – in the middle of a working day – I really wouldn't be surprised if it breaks this record yet again as hype continues to build.

So, what's next for Dressmaker? Rothmann, who served as the game's programmer, notes on Twitter that the "next update will hide pins of other trims while one is selected," so look forward to that if the pins were bothering you. As for the studio's next game, the dev isn't giving away any clues, but he has some bad news if you were hoping for a "girly horse game," as one fan has suggested. "I dont trust horses or horse people sorry," he responds.

After thinking he was "putting this game out to die," Steam rewards iconic indie dev with 98% Very Positive reviews on his unhinged golf game.

I will never forget the evening when Final Fantasy 7 Remake was unveiled in 2015. Fondly remembered by many as the 'E3 Conference of Dreams' where Shenmue 3 and The Last Guardian were also shown off, it was a period when PlayStation ruled the gaming world and could seemingly do no wrong. The console giant boasted an incredible slate of exclusive games, offered massive support to burgeoning indies, and seemed determined to surprise us at every turn. But even in this landscape, Final Fantasy 7 Remake was a miracle.

An ambitious reimagining that was previously only gleaned through a fancy PS3 tech demo and a collection of underwhelming yet fondly appreciated spin-offs was finally a reality – planned as an expansive trilogy for PlayStation consoles well into the future.

I was skeptical, worried that there simply wasn't enough content in the original game to be stretched across three modern triple-A blockbusters. But after spending 40 hours trapped within Remake's Midgar and another 80 falling head over heels with familiar locales in Rebirth, I'm ready for anything Final Fantasy 7 Revelation has to throw at me when it arrives next year.

Let's mosey

We are in an unsustainable gaming landscape where countless studios have been closed, thousands of folks have been laid off, and goodness knows how many projects have been cancelled because they cost too much time and money to make. Once upon a time we received three Uncharted games and The Last of Us in just 6 years, but this generation has seen Naughty Dog spend the same time on a single release. I'm confident that Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet will be tremendous, but it sucks that AAA gaming is caught between chasing the live-service dragon and taking nearly a decade to get a single game out the door.

Unless Final Fantasy 7 Revelation receives a last-minute delay, when it releases next April we will have a finished entire trilogy in just 7 years. A trio of games that are ambitious, dense, and visually spectacular – while also packing 200 hours of play when all is said done. A major developer achieving this in the modern age is almost unheard of.

Speaking to Bloomberg shortly after its reveal at Summer Game Fest, game director Naoki Hamaguchi credits the speedy three year development cycle of Revelation to retaining the core development team throughout the trilogy and refusing to waver from his overall vision. On occasion, this results in patches of outdated open world design.

These flaws are worth the expanded world and narrative, allowing us to spend more time with characters we grew up with. Every fault is countered by scenes that are beautifully reimagined or once miniscule locations now filled with life. It often feels like a miracle, but it's a labor of love by people who understand Final Fantasy 7 more than I ever will. The image of this dieselpunk classic we held in our minds for decades is now a living, breathing reality. But with overlong development cycles and ballooning budgets becoming the norm in this industry, I struggle to envision a reality where a trilogy of this size, quality, and caliber can happen again.

Not because people don't want to make games like this anymore. But few enjoy the safety or opportunity that an established title like Final Fantasy 7 affords. As indicated during a recent panel at PAX West, Hamaguchi noted that one of the goals for the trilogy is to welcome a new generation to Final Fantasy 7 with an established plan to expand upon it well into the future, though I pray that it doesn't coalesce into an endless stream of content. There is definitely too much of a good thing – I should know, I'm a Kingdom Hearts fan. If Revelation concludes in all of the right ways, I'd love for Square Enix to leave it behind and break new ground. Give new talent a chance to redefine this series all over again.

The Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is an extraordinary achievement, but I sincerely hope it isn't the last of its kind. New stories, new characters, and new worlds all deserve the same opportunity as this monolith even if they don't have the benefit of several decades worth of ingrained nostalgia. Unfortunately, in a landscape where safe bets have become commonplace, I fear that day will never come to pass.

We've picked 10 games like Final Fantasy to help you fill the void until Revelation

The Karaoke machine in Control Resonant is a cursed object that you encounter as part of a side quest called "The Party Won't Stop", where it's forcing people to dance until somebody can recite all the lyrics to a song from memory. The problem is, get a lyric wrong and the machine kills one of the dancing party members, and clearly nobody wants that to happen. If you want to know all the correct song lyrics and how to solve the Karaoke puzzle in Control Resonant, I'll lay out what you need to know clearly.

For more quests in The West Incursion Zone, check out our full Control Resonant The Complete Set walkthrough and find all the speakers in the cursed SINKKI D50 speaker system!

All karaoke song lyrics and answers in Control Resonant

To solve the puzzle of the Karaoke machine in "The Party Won't Stop", you need to choose the word or sentence fragment that rhymes with the previous lyric sung by the machine. There's a few outliers than can throw people off, but this is the general rule. If you need help, I'll lay out all the answers and lyrics for you here:

• It's the greatest party you've ever seen....
  • Gasoline
• No end in sight, no end to happiness...
  • Stress
• When you move your feet, your heart starts beating...
  • So fleeting
• When you're singing the sweetest song...
  • Too long
• What would you do without this groove?
  • Move
• When you move your dancing feet...
  • Fear
• Music gives you the power to sing...
  • Everything
• It keeps you going, fuels your fire...
  • Higher and higher
• So find your voice, just belt it out...
  • Shout

No matter whether you get the song lyrics completely right or whether you get a few of them wrong, you'll get the same rewards either way: the Varsity Jacket, an outer layer outfit piece for Dylan, and the Bar Blade, an untapped artifact that causes your health to passively regenerate when you have a summoned ally close by.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Amiibo dioramas are my favorite accessories for Nintendo's NFC collectibles. They're basically little pop-out displays that give you unique ways to show off the best toys Nintendo has to offer, besides just sticking them in a glass cabinet and calling it a day.

Originally exclusive to Japan, they occasionally appear across US retailers, though finding them in this day and age can be a rarity. Fortunately for amiibo fans both the Super Smash Bros. and Kirby series dioramas are available for $9.99 at Amazon, and if I were you, I'd grab them before they disappear for good.

The whole spread of dioramas isn't available at Amazon, but that's okay. Seeing any of these Japan-exclusive displays available at a US retailer is better than nothing, especially when they're as little as $10 each. I remember having to import one of the Splatoon releases for at least $20 / £20 a decade ago, so I'm a bit jealous of US amiibo collectors right now. Not to mention, the two dioramas up for grabs are the Super Smash Bros and Kirby series displays, which are some of the series I own the most amiibo for, and so would be pretty handy to have in my collection. Of course, you can display whatever one of the 953 amiibo in the dioramas as you see fit, so long as they fit.

These dioramas originally launched during the Wii U era, and so they likely won't accommodate some of the more intricate releases with fancy bases. For example, it's very likely the large terrain of the Donkey Kong and Pauline amiibo may get in the way of the hollowed-out sections of the Kirby accessory, and the vehicles of the massive Kirby Air Riders figures likely won't fit either.

There is a solution, though. The neat thing about the amiibo dioramas is that you don't have to stick with placing your NFC toys in the exact spots as seen in the marketing images. As you can see from my Splatoon one in the image above, I just place my figures around as I please, and it still looks fantastic. The Super Smash Bros. diorama includes plenty of flat surfaces so you can do just that.

I suspect they'll disappear for good sooner rather than later, and could end up as reseller fodder. With the numerous 2026 amiibo out this year, hopefully Ninty will produce some new display add-ons but, for now, making the most of these is the best official way to spruce up your collection.

• View all Nintendo amiibo at Amazon

Check out our toy-expert Benjamin's guides to the best Nintendo gifts and the best Lego sets if you're on the hunt for more Ninty collectibles.