Upcoming anime-MMORPG Blue Protocol: Star Resonance is getting ready to host its first English closed beta test, and players can sign up now for a chance to play.

From July 24 through August 14, players can fill out a closed beta application for an opportunity to play. Those selected will be notified from August 15-20. In a press release, publisher A Plus Japan doesn't actually list the dates for the beta test itself, but it will presumably begin sometime in late August.

Progress from the beta won't carry over to the free-to-play MMO's full launch, which is still slated for sometime later this year. However, players can make in-game purchases during the test, with purchases converted to in-game currency at a rebate rate come the game's full launch.

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Next year, Bandai Namco will return to the post-apocalyptical world of Code Vein, which is overrun by vampire-like Revenants. Code Vein 2 will have an even bigger area to explore than its predecessor. And as revealed in the production video below, players won't have to transverse all of that distance by foot. Instead, they can ride in style with a supernatural motorcycle.

In the video, producer Keita Iizuka explains that the Revenant Hunter's motorcycle isn't actually a motorcycle at all. It's a spell used to manifest a physical vehicle as needed. That means it won't need any conventional fuel or spare parts. However, it's unclear if players will need to provide anything to keep the motorcycle powered.

Iizuka added that when the player is accompanied by a companion character, they will ride on the back of the motorcycle with the Revenant Hunter. The motorcycle itself is being used to promote Code Vein 2 at San Diego Comic-Con this week with a recreation of the game's supernaturally charged vehicle. Fans will be able to take pictures with it there, or catch it at PAX West and New York Comic Con later this year.

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The Switch 2 launched in early June and put up massive sales numbers, but it remains to be seen if the system will be a long-term success, according to Circana analyst Mat Piscatella.

Piscatella told The Game Business that "launch sales of hardware doesn’t often correlate to the lifetime sales." He said there have been systems that have had "incredible early sales" but later fell off, while other systems started slow and became huge hits later.

"It's just tough right now to come away with any long-term conclusions or projections, although this is a hell of a good early read," Piscatella said.

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As part of its "strategic partnership" with Bandai Namco, Sony will acquire 16 million shares in the company, giving it 2.5% ownership over it. The deal is valued at 68 billion Yen, which works out to approximately $463 million. Bandai Namco has several major gaming franchises under its umbrella--including Elden Ring, Tekken, and Pac-Man--and it also owns the licenses to popular Japanese IP like Gundam and Shonen Jump, making it a giant in multiple fields of entertainment.

"Through this business alliance and Sony's investment in Bandai Namco, as two of the leading Japanese entertainment companies, Bandai Namco and Sony will focus on expanding the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world and strengthening engagement, particularly in the anime field where rapid market growth is anticipated," Sony and Bandai Namco said in a joint statement.

Sony has made several moves lately to diversify its portfolio, as back in 2020, it invested $250 million in Fortnite developer Epic Games. The company--alongside KIRKBI, the owners of The Lego Group--invested another $2 billion into Epic in 2022 as part of its plans to create a metaverse.

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To help promote the upcoming launch of Grounded 2, Microsoft has announced a giant 10-foot red ant plush that one lucky fan can win. As you can see in the image below, the red ant plush is based on the Red Ant Buggy from Grounded 2. A new feature for Grounded 2 is the "Buggy" system, which allows players to ride insects as they traverse the hostile world.

"That's right. We turned the in-game Red Ant Buggy into a real-world, mountable, ultra-soft, totally bonkers gaming plush," Xbox said. "It's part furniture, part Buggy, and all awesome."

Do you want this?

To win the plush, you need to follow follow Xbox on X and re-share this post. Alternatively, fans can follow Xbox on Instagram and comment on the post "#Grounded2Sweepstakes."

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Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy was a very popular expansion to the three-decades-old card game, and based on its current sold-out status in most local game stores and big-box retailers, that popularity is still going strong. During Hasbro's recent quarterly investor call for Q2 2025, the company revealed that the set has already become the best-selling set in the game's history--and it only took one day to get there.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks revealed during the call that Magic: The Gathering - Final Fantasy sold $200 million worth of product in a single day. For reference, the previous MTG collaboration set--2023's The Lord Of The Rings--needed six months to reach the $200 million milestone. Cocks went on to say that the set could have made even more on day one, but the company "left demand on the table."

Zidane, Tantalus Thief

"We couldn’t produce enough," Cocks said. "I think we increased production runs on it four times pre-release. It was substantially--by many, many very high double-digit percentages--ahead of any other production run we’ve ever done, and we left the market wanting more.”

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The Mafia series has long been a contemporary of franchises like GTA and Saints Row, but its focus has always been much more narrow than those sprawling games. From the very first Mafia game, the goal was to deliver a playable classic mob movie, making for a familiar pastiche of themes and characters. The first game was technically an open world in that you drove between mission hubs, but it was largely focused on its narrative. For its latest game, Mafia: The Old Country, 2K is similarly focused. GameSpot spoke with executive producer Devin Hitch and game director Alex Cox about the change in setting and a renewed focus on making combat feel intimate and personal.

The previous games have slowly become more modern, starting in the 1930s and then venturing into the 1940s and 1950s in Mafia 2 and finally the 1960s in Mafia 3. Aside from brief interstitial stories, they've also all taken place across a fictionalized United States. That makes this setting, 1900s Sicily, a significant change for the series, but one that won't be unfamiliar to fans of organized-crime fiction.

"When we [begin a] project, as we usually do, we go back to the drawing board, we look at the 'Mafia' DNA," Cox said. We go back to the project, the franchise pillars to figure out what would make for a new 'Mafia' game, what we want it to be different about this one. And in some ways, what we want about it to be the same. And when we look at Mafia, the Mafia series and what was done in the previous three games, they start to become this story of organized crime in the 20th century. Visiting different historical eras that are very iconic, very familiar to a mainstream audience. Players will have seen Godfather, 'Goodfellas', Untouchables, all of the kinds of movies that define very iconic eras in organized-crime history."

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The first trailer for Battlefield 6 has arrived, and it's impressive. This trailer spotlights the game's campaign, which is being made at Motive Studio, opening with the President of the US speaking to the American people about a "monstrous, unprovoked attack" and how "no country is safe."

The developers previously spoke about how Alex Garland's war movie Civil War was an inspiration for the game, and it's not hard to see the influence of that film in this trailer. The trailer shows off a variety of locations around the world, including New York City, and also features the iconic Battlefield music, which is nice to hear. Of course, Battlefield's trademark destruction is on display in the trailer as well.

"The trailer offers a first look at Pax Armata, a Private Military Corporation bankrolled by former NATO states whose agenda threatens to throw the world into global conflict," reads a line from the game's description. "This sets the scene for what players can expect on the battlefield--both in multiplayer and the return of the series' single player campaign. In Battlefield 6, the series' incredible blend of visceral combat, epic warfare, and player freedom returns. Blow through walls and bring down buildings for a tactical advantage or take to the skies in white-knuckle dogfights. Take part in a war filled with tanks, fighter jets, and sweeping combat at a grand scale but remember: the deadliest weapon is your squad."

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WWE's latest, WWE 2K25, is finally out on Nintendo Switch 2, but it's missing one of the franchise's key elements. For any hardcore wrestling fan, creating--as well as downloading--custom superstars is one of the biggest draws. However, players quickly noticed that the Switch 2 version of the game doesn't have the image-uploader feature.

As frustrating as that is, there's a good reason: WWE 2K25 isn’t compatible with cross-platform community creations. While the latest DLC pack features the late ECW legend New Jack, recent acquisition Penta, and Japanese women's wrestling icon Bull Nakano, players who want to import logos or textures from wrestlers that aren't in the game won't be able to on Switch 2. That means Switch 2 players will be left with the default images featured in the game.

It might not be a dealbreaker for some, but it feels like the game is at a disadvantage if you want the full experience.

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The first trailer for Five Nights at Freddy's 2 has been revealed, giving fans of the horror franchise a fresh look at the murderous animatronic animals as they bust out of their fast-food prison and hit the streets. Directed by Emma Tammi--who directed the first movie--the film is scheduled to hit theaters on December 5.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 once again stars Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt, who barely survived the events of the 2023 movie. The film also sees Elizabeth Lail and Mathew Lilard reprise their roles as Vanessa and Willaim Afton, respectively, and some of the new faces for the sequel include Mckenna Grace, Teo Briones, Skeet Ulrich, and Wayne Knight.

"One year has passed since the supernatural nightmare at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza," the official plot synopsis reads. "The stories about what transpired there have been twisted into a campy local legend, inspiring the town’s first-ever Fazfest. Former security guard Mike and police officer Vanessa have kept the truth from Mike's 11-year-old sister, Abby, concerning the fate of her animatronic friends. But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy's, and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades."

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The Switch 2 has had some impressive early sales numbers, quickly proving to be one of the biggest console launches of all time, but one of its sales figures is particularly notable. Purchases of the premium-priced Pro Controller have been surprisingly high, with almost one-third of all early Switch 2 purchasers also picking up the $85 accessory.

The statistic was picked up by Circana industry analyst Mat Piscatella, who reported that the Switch 2 Pro Controller saw a 32% attach rate during the Switch 2's launch month--that is to say, 32% of people buying a Switch 2 also picked up the $85 premium controller. Piscatella also reports that the Switch 2 Pro Controller was June's best-selling accessory in dollars.

Game File reports that an estimated 512,000 Pro Controllers were sold in the US in the first month of the Switch 2's release, which is a huge number considering the luxury controller isn't necessary for playing the console or any of its launch games, and the original Switch's Pro Controller is also compatible. It's also worth noting that the Pro Controller saw a $5 price hike after its announcement, likely due to concerns around Trump's import tariffs.

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Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is out now, and it's having a big start on Steam. The $50 game reached more than 115,000 peak concurrent players, according to Steam's publicly available statistics.

That sounds like a big start, but any comparison to other Steam games would be inexact, incomplete, and unfair. What we do know is that the numbers on Steam represent just a portion of the game's total possible audience, as the title is also available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as the Epic Games Store. Further, it's available on Game Pass, which in theory would help boost the game's player numbers. However, user reviews haven't been glowing thus far.

Regarding the poor reviews on Steam, many people are citing performance issues in their reviews. The game's social media pages have not yet addressed the reported performance issues.

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After successfully getting Fortnite reinstated on iOS through the App Store in the US and the Epic Games Store in the European Union, Epic Games' plans to follow either of these paths in the UK has hit a regulatory dead end.

Epic has posted a blog update expressing disappointment with the CMA, the competition regulator for the UK, after its roadmap included no plan to open the mobile landscape for alternative app stores like the Epic Game Store. "Four years after concluding that the App Store and Google Play Store are parallel monopolies the CMA has done nothing to allow competing stores," Epic says.

According to Epic, the CMA has "deprioritized store competition entirely, to be considered sometime in 2026." It references the EU's Digital Markets Act as a benchmark for allowing alternative app stores on mobile devices, citing a number of alternative stores that have sprung up in Europe including AltStore, Aptoide, and its own Epic Games Store.

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Retro gaming fans might have to make a difficult choice soon, as ModRetro has revealed that its modern-day tribute to the Nintendo 64 console will cost $200. First teased last year, this could make it a viable alternative to the Analogue 3D, which costs $250.

ModRetro's newest product is M64. The best and most authentic way to play your favorite N64 games, bar none. Prepare your wallet and brace your mind.

Launches at the same price as the original Nintendo 64. Inflation isn't nostalgic. pic.twitter.com/LYDyiBBx2O

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) July 24, 2025

Like the Analogue 3D, the M64 is also an FPGA console that aims to replicate the experience of using an N64 at a hardware level. This is the same direction that ModRetro took for the ModRetro Chromatic, a well-designed Game Boy successor that combines several modern conveniences with an authentic handheld gaming experience that can easily run all of your original Game Boy cartridges. The handheld also feels great to use, thanks to all of the premium materials incorporated into its design.

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Are you curious about how long it takes to beat Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? The campaign itself is long and arduous, filled with numerous challenges that serve to test your skills. If you're patient, then you might just reach the game's conclusion.

How long to beat Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Campaign length guide

If you're ready to dive straight into a dark fantasy adventure in Ming Dynasty China, then you need to allot enough time for the campaign. On average, it should take you roughly 25 to 35 hours to beat Wuchang: Fallen Feathers on your first try. Granted, this is primarily if you just focus on the main objectives, but we also take character deaths into consideration given the challenge presented by numerous bosses.

If you want to tackle optional content, then you might spend anywhere from 40 to 50 hours as you explore every nook and cranny. Of course, there's also New Game+ mode, a staple among soulslike games, which further increases your playtime.

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Are you perplexed about how to unlock Temper Acupoints in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? This particular mechanic is related to combat and your gear pieces. Once more options become available, you'll be able to activate special effects for your weapons.

How to unlock Temper Accupoints in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Bone Needles and Stone Needles guide

You unlock the Temper Acupoints mechanic fairly early in the campaign. You just need to defeat the first main boss--the Man-Eating Dutanga--in Lightzen Temple. Once the boss has been taken out, you'll receive the following:

• Temper menu is unlocked at Shrines.
• Yanchi Acupoint--i.e. first slot.
• Bone Needle: Flame - Boosts your weapon's fire attack power and enables it to cause Burn buildup.

How to unlock Acupoints and Bone Needles via the skill tree

The Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Temper Acupoints unlock can be done via a Shrine's Impetus Repository--i.e. skill tree. Take a look at the left-hand side of the screen to see these perks/nodes:

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Are you planning to upgrade weapons in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? You do receive dozens of armaments throughout your journey. Boosting their stats further is imperative if you want to defeat tougher opponents. Our guide has all the details that you need to help you with this mechanic.

Table of Contents [hide]

• How to upgrade weapons in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Red Feathers guide
  • Where to find Red Feathers in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
  How to upgrade weapons in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers - Red Feathers guide

  You can upgrade weapons via the Shrine's Impetus Repository menu (skill tree). That said, you also need items known as Red Feathers. There are four types that can upgrade your gear up to a certain level:

  • Faint Red Feather - Up to +3.
  • Brilliant Red Feather - Up to +6.
  • Radiant Red Feather - Up to +9.
  • Lustrous Red Feather and Vermilion Ancient Chisel - Up to +10 (max level).
  Gallery You can acquire Red Feathers from the environment (left), certain enemies (middle), and some vendors (right). Where to find Red Feathers in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

  The Red Feathers used to upgrade weapons in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers come from a variety of sources, including:

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Are you wondering about how to summon companions in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? This mechanic is introduced fairly early in the campaign. That said, there are a few key requirements that you need to complete if you want to find allies for the coming battles.

How to summon companions in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

You can summon companions by using an item known as the Bone Whistle. Here's a quick summary:

• After beating the first main boss, the Man-Eating Dutanga, you'll receive the Lightzen Key.
• The Lightzen Key unlocks a door at the opposite side of the yard in Lightzen Temple.
• Follow the path across the river until you meet an NPC named Nian Suichang. He'll give you the Bone Whistle and the "Well Met" emote.
• The Bone Whistle can also be purchased from a vendor named Tao Qing.

Nian Suichang hands you a Bone Whistle item.Requirements and tips for summoning companions

Just because you have the Bone Whistle doesn't mean you can readily summon companions in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. There are still a few caveats:

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Are you perplexed about how to cure Despair in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? This is, perhaps, the single most insidious status effect in the game. That's because it can instantly kill your character, and it builds up rather quickly, too.

Table of Contents [hide]

• How to cure Despair in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
  • Despair causes and effects
  How to cure Despair in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

  Despair is the trickiest affliction to handle because of its "instant death" effect. You have to deal with this malady in certain areas, such as the mining tunnel past the Snowy Passage, the caverns in the Avian Marsh, and the pavilions in Zhenwu Temple.

  Despair causes and effects

  The Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Despair affliction is often caused by the following:

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Are you curious about how to cure Frostbite in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers? This is one of the most dangerous status effects in the game, as it greatly impacts your mobility and avoidance. On the bright side, you only have to contend with it in mountainous regions with colder climates.

Table of Contents [hide]

• How to cure Frostbite in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers
  • Frostbite causes and effects
  How to cure Frostbite in Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

  Frostbite is a status effect that you primarily have to deal with while exploring the game's Cloudspire region. These include areas like the Snowy Passage, Cloudspire Outskirts, Rebel Camp, and Snowpeak Pass.

  Frostbite causes and effects

  The Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Frostbite affliction builds up whenever you're in an extremely cold area. It can also build up if you get hit by certain water-based or ice-based attacks from enemies.

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