It is no secret that 2021's Battlefield 2042 was not the success that EA and developer DICE hoped for. Although the game was the No. 5 best-selling title in the US during 2021, it was a disappointment commercially for EA and fans didn't have the best things to say about it either. With Battlefield 6 coming this October, producer Alexia Christofi said in an interview that the struggles of Battlefield 2042 helped shape Battlefield 6.

"We learned so much from 2042. We took so many learnings from that, and while it strayed from what people found core to Battlefield, it meant that it was very clear and easy for people to vocalize the things that 2042 was not, and what we need to make sure Battlefield 6 is," Christofi told Well-Played.

Another producer, David Sirland, said the studio spent a lot of time thinking about the core pillars of Battlefield--destruction, classes, and vehicles--and designing Battlefield 6 in service to those.

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It takes a lot for a new souls-like to distinguish itself these days. In the last year alone, we've seen Lies of P: Overture, The First Berserker: Khazan, Black Myth: Wukong, Enotria: The Last Song, Another Crab's Treasure, and two Elden Ring follow-ups--The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC and spin-off game Nightreign--all launch to varying degrees of success. Suffice to say, the once-niche genre is now significantly more mainstream, and the rapidly growing number of souls-likes available to play certainly reflects that. But while this might translate to an exciting amount of options for players, it's easy to see how this boon actually presents an intense challenge for developers.

Fortunately for Wuchang: Fallen Feathers developer Leenzee, finding and celebrating its own voice was something it was "tuned in to" since the beginning. In a recent interview with GameSpot, Leenzee co-founder and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers game and art director Xia Siyuan discussed how the studio went about developing a game in a highly saturated genre, and what he thought Wuchang was doing to help push souls-likes forward. The developer also opened up about how the team's Sichuan roots helped to establish the game's setting, and how some of its boss designs were inspired by archeological digs and museum trips.

The souls-like genre has become extremely saturated in recent years--was that a concern when developing Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? What about it sets the game apart from others within the genre, or helps push the genre forward?

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In the wake of the official Oblivion Remastered's release, the developers behind Skylivion are making clear that their ambitious mod over 10 years in the making is far more than just a graphics update: It "reimagines Oblivion from the ground up."

Skyblivion looks to recreate the 2006 open-world RPG in the engine of 2011's Skyrim, albeit with new content and gameplay changes. The mod is still slated to release in 2025, and in the latest development diary for the project, the TESRenewal mod team behind Skyblivion answers the question that has been top of mind since Oblivion Remastered released in April--what's the point of Skyblivion when the official remaster is already available?

"The answer is simple," the dev diary states. "Skyblivion is a full-scale remake that reimagines Oblivion from the ground up, bringing it in line with modern RPG standards. While the official remaster impressively upgrades textures and assets, Skyblivion introduces entirely newly designed areas, dungeons, cities, gameplay enhancements, and much more."

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Blizzard's dark fantasy ARPG series Diablo is getting the tabletop RPG treatment, and it promises to have players geared up and ready to hack and slash through armies of demons from "session zero."

A Kickstarter campaign page for Diablo: The Roleplaying Game recently went live, and while the campaign won't officially begin until this fall, it does provide some details on what players can expect from the TTRPG adaptation. The game comes from Glass Cannon, which has made board game versions of plenty of video games in the past, including Apex Legends.

As for how the TTRPG will try to capture the spirit of the Diablo video games, Glass Cannon name drops a few Diablo classes players will be able to play as, including Barbarian, Druid, Necromancer, Rogue, and Sorcerer (the same classes available at launch in Diablo 4). More importantly, it gives a glimpse of how it is looking to adapt Diablo's fast-and-frenetic ARPG action into a tabletop format.

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Fall Guys is celebrating its 5-year anniversary today, August 4, 2025. Below, we look back at how its creative mode was ripe for potential that has failed to flourish.

It felt obvious. Fall Guys--a quirky, over-the-top game show battle royale platformer--would be perfect for player-created levels. Mario and Banjo-Kazooie fans could create whimsical deathtraps that dozens of little beans would run through headfirst.

"I know the chances are extremely low that this will happen, but man, a level editor would be extremely awesome," wrote Redditor2033 in a post a year into Fall Guys' lifespan. "With that, this game could easily survive A LOT [of] years."

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The Battlefield 6 open beta begins on August 7, and ahead of that, it's available to preload right now on all platforms. Preloading is a good option to have to help guaranteed yourself the ability to play the game the moment the servers go live. Thankfully, it's simple and straightforward to grab the game client--and you don't have to have a code to download it.

How to preload Battlefield 6 open beta and file size

To preload the Battlefield 6 open beta client, you can follow the links below on your preferred platform. The file size varies by platform. For example, the Steam client shows a download of around 39.24 GB, while the Xbox Series X version is listed at 37.56 GB.

• EA App
• Steam
• PS5
• Xbox Series X|S

Battlefield 6 open beta trailer

Battlefield Studios released a Battlefield 6 open beta trailer alongside the announcement that pre-loading is now available. The trailer teases out some of the content in the beta, which includes a selection of maps and modes from the full game.

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Shift Up Corporation has released a new Stellar Blade patch for PC and PS5, delivering additional improvements and bug fixes, but some PC players are experiencing launch issues after downloading the update.

Version 1.3.0 for PC is now available, along with the patch notes, and while many players are pleased with the continued quality-of-life updates, some are reporting that the latest patch is preventing them from launching the game on Steam.

"Game wont load now," said one player on the game's Steam forum. "Maybe it's just me, but I was playing 20 minutes before the update and now it wont launch."

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Epic has revealed a new Halo-inspired Fortnite collaboration. Only this time, the focus isn’t centered solely on Master Chief but on UNSC Spartans as a whole; players will be able to gain access to these colorful skins via Fortnite’s upcoming battle pass when Season 4 goes live on August 7.

Epic broke the news through the Fortnite X/Twitter page. There, the company informed fans of the upcoming battle pass as well as hint at a possible Power Ranger sighting; a fan asked if the rangers were making their debut, to which the account responded with a few promising emojis.

Yeah, we called the experts in for this one… pic.twitter.com/YYg0kSelxx

— Fortnite (@Fortnite) August 2, 2025

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a Halo x Fortnite event. Master Chief joined Fortnite’s legacy series back in 2020--he was added to the shop during Chapter 2, Season 5 as a standalone or bundled purchase. Players could don his armor in two different colors, wield his gravity hammer pickaxe, float with the UNSC Pelican Glider, and even ride a mini warthog via a special emote.

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[UPDATE] Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney pushed back against the WSJ report, saying the "anonymous quote is BS" about reported frustrations between Epic and Disney regarding the pace of development on the upcoming Fortnite project. He added that Disney and Epic are actually working around 10x beyond the "ordinary speed of media company dealings in this business." Sweeney said he provided WSJ with a statement about this but the publication chose not to include it.

The anonymous quote is BS. The speed of Disney and Epic collaborations like Darth Vader has been awesome and is around 10x the ordinary speed of media company dealings in this business. We even provided a statement to the writer of this article saying so, but they chose not to…

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 4, 2025

BTW did @WSJ become a content mill without editorial fact checking? Saw it happen to Forbes, Newsweek, and others, but this is coming as a surprise.

— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 4, 2025

The original story follows below.

Disney's big Fortnite project--whatever it might be--is still in the works and is said to be targeting a Fall 2026 release. That's according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which also claimed some Epic executives have complained about Disney's reportedly slow sign-off and approval process. At the same time, the report said some Disney executives have expressed concerns about the project.

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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has had a long journey since it was first announced all the way back in 2017, but the wait is almost over. Nintendo has once again assured Metroid fans that the game will be out this year for Switch 2 and Switch, allaying fears that it might be delayed.

Ahead of its appearance at Fan Expo Canada later this month, Nintendo says that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will be playable and will be "available later in 2025" alongside other games on Switch 2. This isn't the first time that the public has been able to go hands-on with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and Nintendo's statement confirms that the game will still launch within the next five months.

When it will launch in this period still remains uncertain. Nintendo has been spacing out first-party releases for the Switch 2, starting with Mario Kart World as a Switch 2 launch game in June, Donkey Kong Bananza in July, Drag x Drive in August, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A is scheduled to arrive on October 15. If the pattern holds up, it's not unlikely that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond could arrive during the lucrative holiday season as a must-have Switch 2 game, considering that the console already has an install base of 6 million users and counting.

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8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

$90 | For Xbox, PC, Apple, Android

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8BitDo's string of exciting accessory releases made in partnership with Xbox continues this week with the reveal of a controller that has been noticeably absent from the manufacturer's lineup: a wireless controller. The manufacturer's debut wireless controller for Xbox would be a big development on its own, but this is notable for another reason, too. The controller commemorates the 40th anniversary of Microsoft-owned studio Rare, the Sea of Thieves developer with a back catalog of classics like Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and Perfect Dark. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is available today for $90.

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Xbox Controller - Rare 40th Anniversary Edition

The original Ultimate 3-Mode Controller launched last spring in white and black. A transparent green model matching 8BitDo's Retro 87 Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse was added to the lineup in May. The "3-Mode" moniker pertained to the $70 controller's connectivity options: 2.4GHz Wireless for PC, Bluetooth for mobile, and wired for Xbox. All of those modes still exist on the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition, but it also has 2.4GHz Wireless on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. Implementing Microsoft's wireless protocol combined with the special-edition theme explains the $20 price jump.

8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Wireless Controller: Rare 40th Anniversary Edition $90 | For Xbox, PC, Apple, Android

The Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is arguably the best-looking controller 8BitDo has created--and one of the standout special-edition Xbox controllers in general. It utilizes Rare's longtime colors with a two-tone Royal blue shell accented by yellow-gold joystick rings, face button labels, triggers/bumpers, and two remappable back buttons.

8BitDo used gold-plated zinc alloy to create the tactile D-pad; this is the first metal D-pad in the Ultimate series. Rare's 40th Anniversary logo is on the left handle, while the darker Royal blue silhouettes are Easter Eggs referencing the studio's history.

It comes with a matching charging dock with the studio name on the front center. The 2.4GHz USB receiver is stored in the bottom compartment on the dock. You'll also find a USB-C cable and a pair of silicone stick caps featuring the Sea of Thieves logo on one and a puzzle piece on the other. The jigsaw puzzle piece nods to the collectibles in Rare's classic platformers, Banjo-Kazooie and DKC.

We haven't tested the new edition, so we can't comment on wireless performance on Xbox consoles, but outside of that new feature, this is the same great controller. The Ultimate 3-Mode is built with premium components and has stellar ergonomics. It's a versatile controller thanks to support for numerous devices and built-in customization options.

Check out the key specs for the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition below:

• Platform support:
  • Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One - 2.4GHz Wireless | Wired
  • Windows - 2.4GHz Wireless | Wired
  • Apple iOS & macOS - Bluetooth
  • Android- Bluetooth
• Controls:
  • Hall Effect anti-drift sticks
  • Hall Effect impulse triggers (Xbox/PC)
  • Microswitch bumpers
  • Two remappable back triggers
  • Tactile metal D-pad (made of zinc alloy)
  • ABXY face buttons with gold labels
  • Xbox Guide | View | Menu | Star | Profile
  • Mic and Input switches
  • Textured handles
• Accessories:
  • Matching charging dock with 2.4GHz receiver
  • Rare-themed silicone stick caps
  • USB-C to USB-A cable
• Profiles: Save up to 3 custom control layouts
• Battery: Up to 20 hours | Charge time: 4 hours
• Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
• Vibration: Xbox and PC only
• 8BitDo Ultimate Software for Xbox, PC, Apple, Android:
  • Remap inputs
  • Set up custom profiles
  • Create dead zones
  • Adjust stick sensitivity
  • Adjust trigger sensitivity
  • Adjust rumble intensity

See at Amazon The silicone stick caps are designed to offer better grip/control.

With support for PC, Mac, and mobile, the new controller will likely appeal to big fans of Rare who don't even own or have a need for a wireless Xbox controller. That said, it's worth emphasizing that the 3-Mode Controller does not have the latest and greatest tech found in 8BitDo's flagship Ultimate 2 or upcoming Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad (releases August 12).

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Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is currently in development at Guilty Gear studio Arc System Works, and if you're looking to try out an early slice of it, you can sign up for its upcoming closed beta. There'll only be a short time to go hands-on with the game as it runs September 5-7, but it'll give you access to six playable characters, online matches, limited offline matches, spectator mode, the game's training tutorial, and more. Here's how to enter it.

Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls Closed Beta: How to get access

• Click the "register now" button on this link.
• Complete the registration form to sign up for the PlayStation Beta program.
• If you are selected, you'll be sent an invitation via email.

First revealed in June, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is a 4v4 fighting game scheduled to release sometime in 2026. The game's current roster features an all-star roster of Marvel characters, like Captain America, Doctor Doom, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, Star Lord, and Storm, all reimagined with a fresh new art direction.

The game was playable during Evo 2025, and as its tutorial trailer revealed, it features gameplay systems like EX moves, super moves, and ultimate moves tied to a meter that charges up during battle.

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It's officially been two years since Baldur's Gate 3 launched and took the games industry by storm. On the RPG's second anniversary, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has reminisced on the past couple of years and teased what's next for the award-winning studio.

Responding to an X post celebrating the game, Vincke said, "Crazy to think it’s only been two years. It’s truly been life changing. Probably worth writing about one day. But I can spoil the biggest takeaway. BG3 was what allowed us to do our next crazy thing."

Crazy to think it’s only been two years. It’s truly been life changing. Probably worth writing about one day. But I can spoil the biggest takeaway. BG3 was what allowed us to do our next crazy thing. How that will pan out is anyone’s guess but I can assure you we’re working hard… https://t.co/bGBYZoSXGZ

— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) August 3, 2025

The developer stopped short of discussing the studio's next major game since the game is likely years away, but did promise that players will have "plenty of fun."

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EA has announced all the bonuses that EA Play Pro subscribers can get for Battlefield 6, and one of them is early access to the upcoming open beta. That's right, although Battlefield 6 is not coming to Xbox Game Pass, it will be available through at least one subscription service at launch.

For anyone just catching up, EA Play Pro is the premium version of EA's subscription program, EA Play (which itself is included with Game Pass Ultimate). EA Play Pro costs $17/month or $120/year, and for that price, members can day-one access to the premium editions of EA's games. Members also get access to a library of older EA titles, rewards each month, and 10% off EA digital content.

EA Play Pro subscribers receive early access to Battlefield 6's open beta, allowing them to play during the August 7-8 window--that's before the wider availability of the open beta later in August. Alternatively, people can play the beta during the August 7-8 window if they signed up to Battlefield Labs before July 31 or if they obtained a code via Twitch or other means. For more, check out GameSpot's Battlefield 6 open beta breakdown.

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Games have entertained children and adults alike since their inception, but some are themed and geared towards a younger audience. However, with recent controversies surrounding Roblox, the gaming platform that claims to have the largest player base in the world, the question about how it protects its younger audience is on the minds of every parent whose children interact with it.

To answer that vital question, we’ll dive right into the facts and explain what privacy filters are available, how the parental controls work, and details about the platform’s content maturity labels. In addition, we’ll share how to report any activity or content you are concerned about, whether it’s related to cyberbullying, your kids being scammed out of Robux, or any criminal activity. We have a Roblox beginner’s guide and list of the best Roblox games so you can judge for yourself whether it’s safe enough for your little one to play.

This article also highlights a Bloomberg Report that focuses on how predators use Roblox to lure children, as well as the official response from Roblox Corp’s CEO, and the controversies the company has found itself in during the years since it was published. Reader discretion is advised.

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Chances are that, if you’re new to Roblox, you won’t know your Obby from your elbow. That’s okay, though, as everyone has to start somewhere, and a beginner’s guide such as this one is exactly what you need.

Here, you’ll find everything you need to get started in the world of Roblox, from how to set up an account, how to customize your avatar, what Robux are and how to use them, and a list of some of the genres of experiences you’ll find on this platform (including the aforementioned Obby-style games).

Once you’re familiar with the basics, we have a list of the best Roblox games, which is constantly updated with fresh and immensely popular experiences. As Roblox is geared primarily towards children, we also have an explainer detailing whether Roblox is safe for your little ones to play and how to safeguard them against potential threats.

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A new survey by Nintendo has gone live, as the company wants to know what its users think of physical and digital game ownership. While there are a few general questions mixed into it, the survey primarily focuses on which format consumers prefer when purchasing games for the Switch 2.

There are various questions asked in this survey on this topic specifically, asking which factors determine if a digital game will be purchased instead of a physical one, while users can respond with multiple replies like "physical games provide a stronger sense of ownership" or "I like collecting physical games" when pressed for answers.

One of the questions asked in the Nintendo survey.

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Lego Mario Kart Collection

Check out the new starter set, expansions, and stellar display model.

See at Amazon See at Lego Store See at Walmart See at Target See at Best Buy

Lego's Mario Kart collection has nearly doubled in size with the release of the second wave of playsets on August 1. And just like with January's launch lineup, the new building sets feature karts pulled from the video game series and introduce a character that had previously never received the Lego treatment: Wario. The fan-favorite antihero and his signature pink kart and paraglider are bundled with King Boo's adorable Teddy Bear-inspired Buggy. The combo pack is one of five new sets you can buy now. And if there was any doubt if Lego Mario Kart is here to stay, the collection now has its own Interactive Lego Mario & Standard Kart starter set.

Here's a quick rundown of the full Lego Mario Kart lineup, including the new releases and the original lineup of playsets, some of which are on sale for all-time low prices:

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Sonic has been blazing through a wide variety of genres over the years, from standard platformers to role-playing outings to rowdy party titles. But one of his most popular spin-off experiences has been the Sonic Racing franchise, which has consistently wowed with each game introducing creative new features on top of its core racing mechanics and exciting track designs.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds brings races across the land, sea, and air alongside tons of kart customization and gadgets. Moreover, there are plenty of beloved Sonic characters to choose from, and even some surprising crossover characters from the worlds of Spongebob Squarepants, Persona, and more.

All of this is best enjoyed with friends, right? Well, what if your friends play on platforms different from yours? Or what if you want to move your progress between platforms? Here's what you need to know about cross-play and cross-progression in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.

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If you're just getting started in Grounded 2, you'll eventually discover some recipes require Grub Hides. These grub parts are components needed for crafting armor items such as the Weevil Shield or the Grub Goggles. In this guide, we explain how to find and kill grubs, so you can craft some early defense items in Grounded 2.

Where to find grubsGrub in Grounded 2

You'll see grub activity from the moment you're free to explore the open world, but you won't be able to access them until later. Grubs are underground, and you'll see their movement from small sections of dirt moving just below the surface.

You need to dig the grubs out and kill them for the Grub Hides resource. Additionally, these bugs can provide a food source, as you also get meat to cook.

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