Over six years after its initial announcement, and nearly four years since Riot Games shared a first look at gameplay, 2XKO, the League of Legends fighting game, will soon be available to all. Riot has announced that the current 2XKO closed beta will end on October 7, and early access will begin the same day.

2XKO's early-access period will include a "Season 0," which will function as the game's first seasonal event and include special in-game events and progression rewards. Season 0 will also mark the debut of a new champion to bring the playable roster to 10--though Riot has not confirmed who that champion will be.

2XKO

Riot also revealed that 2026 will include five seasons, each of which will also add events, rewards, and a playable champion. All progress made in the closed beta will carry over to the early-access period, and all progress made in early access will also carry over to subsequent seasons.

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Vault Hunters need not worry about nerfs, at least for now. Instead, developer Gearbox wants to focus on buffs for Borderlands 4 players first and foremost, especially in regard to skills and gear.

On X, Borderlands 4 creative director Graeme Timmins laid out the team's plans for the immediate future. "We've seen the discourse about builds that use unintended interactions and/or the knife. We're not going to act on those immediately; instead, we're looking at our first round of buffs," Timmins wrote. "Those will get addressed, but we're going to start with underperforming gear/skills first."

We’ve seen the discourse about builds that use unintended interactions and/or the knife. We’re not going to act on those immediately, instead, we’re looking at our first round of buffs. Those will get addressed but we’re going to start with underperforming gear/skills first.

— Graeme Timmins (@ProdigyXL) September 23, 2025

This isn't the first time Timmins has commented on the issue. Last week, the developer noted that they weren't "going to knee-jerk react to anything," including nerfing a Borderlands 4 player's favorite busted build. It's worth pointing out that the looter-shooter is PvE, so balancing online multiplayer isn't a concern.

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Google's latest update to Google Play is a big one. The tech giant is bringing its multiplatform play out of beta and expanding its availability, allowing players to access Google Play games across both mobile and PC. It is also making a big push to further personalize the Google Play experience, which includes deeper integration with its AI products.

As detailed in a blog post, Google is focusing on efforts designed to unify gaming experiences across platforms. The update marks the full launch of Google Play Games on PC, which had been in beta for almost three years. This system allows people to play a subset of Google Play games across both mobile and PC, and progress and rewards are shared between platforms.

Alongside this launch, Google is also deepening integration throughout its gaming ecosystem. Google Play Points, which players can earn through gameplay and participation in events to redeem for in-game items and Google Store purchases, are now shared across mobile and PC.

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Lego Ideas: Mineral Collection (880 pieces)

$60 | Releases October 1

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Lego Store See at Walmart

The Lego Ideas catalog is overflowing with cool display pieces, including those inspired by real-world locations like the Italian Riviera, iconic movies like Jaws, and important historical artwork like Vincent van Gogh's The Starry Night. On October 1, the list will expand with the new Lego Ideas: Mineral Collection, which will let you build a display featuring replicas of some of the Earth’s most precious minerals. If you're a geologist, jeweler, or rockhound--or just really into crystals--you can preorder the new set for $60 at multiple online retailers.

Lego Ideas: Mineral Collection (880 pieces) $60 | Releases October 1

This 880-piece set features Lego replicas of six different minerals: pyrite, amethyst, fluorite, tourmaline, rhodochrosite, and quartz, each of which is composed of colorful, transparent bricks. You'll also build a set of display shelves for showing them off. The display is customizable, featuring modular shelves that can be arranged, combined, or separated as you see fit.

While the set includes an instruction booklet to follow along with, the Mineral Collection is also compatible with the Lego Builder App, which lets you view your project from a variety of angles and saves your progress after each step.

Preorders are available for $60 at Amazon, Lego Store, Walmart, and Target. Keep in mind that, while the set releases on October 1, both Amazon and the Lego Store likely won’t ship in time to have it in your hands by that date. Instead, expect it to arrive a few days later. Free shipping is available at most retailers.

Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Lego Store See at Walmart Lego Ideas: Mineral CollectionGallery

If you’re looking for other Lego sets to pair with the upcoming Mineral Collection, consider one of the many Lego Botanicals kits. The line includes numerous model kits based on flowers and other plants that could go well with the new minerals set. Even better, many are currently discounted at Amazon. Some are themed around a specific plant and include Lego vases to display them in, such as the 608-piece Mini Orchid or the 327-piece Plum Blossom, both of which are on sale for $24 apiece (normally $30 each). If you'd like a bigger centerpiece, consider kits like the Succulents set that's available for $40 (was $50), the Wildflower Bouquet for $48 (was $60), or the Bouquet of Roses for $48 (was $60). Check the list below for even more Lego Botanical set deals at Amazon.

Lego Botanical Set Deals

• Bonsai Tree (878 pieces) -- $40 ($50)
• Bouquet of Roses (822 pieces) -- $48 ($60)
• Chrysanthemum (278 pieces) -- $24 ($30)
• Flower Bouquet (756 pieces) -- $48 ($60)
• Kingfisher (834 pieces) -- $40 ($50)
• Mini Orchid (274 pieces) -- $24 ($30)
• Orchid (608 pieces) -- $40 ($50)
• Plum Blossom (327 pieces) -- $24 ($30)
• Succulents (771 pieces) -- $40 ($50)
• Tiny Plants (758 pieces) -- $40 ($50)
• Wildflower Bouquet (939 pieces) -- $48 ($60)

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In addition to a Death Stranding anime movie, a live-action Death Stranding movie from director Michael Sarnoski and A24 is in the works. During the Beyond the Strand event celebrating the 10th anniversary of Kojima Productions, Sarnoski and Kojima appeared on stage to share some more updates about it.

Kojima said he wanted Sarnoski to direct the movie after seeing the movies Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One, both of which Sarnoski directed and Kojima enjoyed. Kojima said he thought Sarnoski would be "perfect" to make the movie.

As for Sarnoski, he said he was "terrified" by the pressure of working on such a beloved franchise, but ultimately agreed to sign on after meeting with Kojima and A24 and learning that he would be given "freedom" to make the movie he wanted to make.

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The next PlayStation State of Play event is coming up very soon. How soon? Like tomorrow. The second PlayStation State of Play this month will air on Wednesday, September 24.

The event promises more than 35 minutes of "reveals and news from developers around the world." The existence of this event is no surprise, as it was previously referenced by a reliable insider.

"We'll share new looks at anticipated third-party and indie titles, plus updates from some of our teams at PlayStation Studios--including an extended look at Saros, Housemarque's mysterious new title arriving next year. Look forward to nearly five minutes of gameplay captured on PS5," Sony said.

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2026 looks to be a very exciting year for video games. In addition to being the first full year for the Switch 2--we'll surely hear about even more games for the system as we move further into the year--2026 will also see the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, which is widely anticipated as one of the biggest entertainment launches of all time. We'll see plenty of other sequels to popular franchises, as well as a number of brand-new games across everything from console to mobile.

In order for you to keep track of everything coming in 2026, GameSpot has broken down the entire year by month, showing games with final release dates as well as games given a nebulous "2026" window. As more games are announced, they'll be added to this list, and those given final dates will be shifted into the relevant sections. For more, check out all the games released (and releasing) in 2025.

January

The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon (PS5, PS4, Switch 2, Switch, PC) - January 15

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Since the days of the PlayStation 3, players have been earning Trophies in their PlayStation games by completing challenges and finishing games, but outside of their online profiles, there hasn't been a way for the most loyal PS fans to show off those in-game achievements. Today, Sony has provided a solution in Franchise Rewards, a new program where unlocking certain trophies will give a player access to special physical "rewards."

The program kicks off today with Ghost of Tsushima, and it offers two pieces of unique merch for those who earn certain trophies by December 31. Players who have unlocked the "Mono no Aware" gold trophy can preorder a t-shirt for $30, while those who have unlocked the "Living Legend" platinum trophy can preorder a pin for $25.

The Living Legend pin, available to those who unlock Ghost of Tsushima's platinum trophy.

A new article on the PlayStation Blog goes into further detail about the special merch, saying that both items were "created with close input from Sucker Punch Productions to make sure they authentically capture the game’s atmosphere and artistry." The blog post also confirms that Ghost of Yotei will join the program "later this year," with details on that merch coming "closer to launch."

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Zach Cregger, the writer-director of the acclaimed horror movies Barbarian and Weapons, has shared some new insight into his upcoming Resident Evil movie.

Speaking to Fangoria, Cregger said the movie will not be a re-telling of Leon's story and, in fact, won't use "any of the characters from the games." Instead, Cregger is making a movie that's in the Resident Evil world--and specifically in the Resident Evil 2 universe--but aims to feel like an original story.

"I'm telling my story that exists in the world of Resident Evil 2. You could play 2 and never know that the events of my story are happening right over there, but they are," he said. "I'm following the rules, but I'm not claiming any key, canon characters because we have those in the games."

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As part of the Beyond the Strand event celebrating 10 years of Kojima Productions, the Japanese developer and the original creator of Pokemon Go announced a "new technology partnership" that aims to "redefine immersive entertainment."

Like with Kojima's Death Stranding series, much remains shrouded in mystery about this new project.

"For Kojima Productions, it's a bold expansion into new forms of media beyond traditional gaming. For Niantic Spatial, it underlines the potential of geospatial AI technology to transform how people and machines understand and interact with the physical world," reads a line from the announcement.

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As part of the "Beyond the Strand" event this week that celebrated the 10th anniversary of Kojima Productions, Hideo Kojima made a series of announcements, one of which was quite unexpected.

Kojima is parterning with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group to launch a new Kojima credit card. In the second half of 2026, MUFG will offer a credit card that will give users points based on spending that they can use to exchange for merchandise and other goods for Kojima-related items.

That's all Kojima and the bank had to say about the credit card. Additional details will be forthcoming.

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Nearly two years ago, Hideo Kojima and director Jordan Peele revealed their upcoming horror game, OD. Since then, Kojima was largely focused on finishing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Now, Kojima Productions has shared a fresh look at OD during the Beyond the Strand event. And from the preview, it looks like Kojima is evoking P.T., the playable trailer for his canceled game Silent Hills.

The new video redacts some of the backstory text that sets up the game, which makes it difficult to understand what's supposed to be happening. Stephen King's It star Sophia Lillis plays the game's leading character, but most of the action takes place from a first-person perspective. Near the beginning of the clip, Lillis' character receives a card through the door with enigmatic instructions.

Lillis' character goes on to light a few candles, and that's where the creep factor rapidly expands. By the time someone--or something--enters the room behind Lillis' character, she's too frightened to run before it lays its hands upon her.

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The console wars have reached a point where it's no longer uncommon for some of the biggest Xbox games to get a cross-platform release on PS5. A small handful of PlayStation 5 titles have also gone to Xbox Series X|S. But if you were hoping that meant games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Ghost of Tsushima were next in line for Xbox releases then you might be disappointed.

A user on Reddit found a listing for Horizon Zero Dawn on the German Xbox Store. And it's not the only Sony title to appear there. Unfortunately, as pointed out by other Reddit users, this appears to be an indexing mistake by Google rather than Microsoft. Even some Nintendo games are listed on the Xbox Store because of that error.

Regardless, porting games from PS5 to Xbox Series X|S may not be a bad idea. It's worked wonders for Helldivers 2, and dramatically driven up the number of players in the game. In short, it made Helldivers 2 an even bigger hit. Sony also shares MLB The Show with other platforms thanks to agreements made with Major League Baseball. However, Sony is under no such obligation to bring any of its top franchises to the competition.

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Physint is one of veteran game developer Hideo Kojima's next projects, and a first look at the PlayStation exclusive was revealed during the Kojima Productions anniversary livestream. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Kojima Productions unveiled the official poster for the stealth-action game, which is aiming to be a spiritual successor to Kojima's Metal Gear Solid franchise.

While the poster only provides a glimpse of the game's protagonist--who is cloaked in shadows--it also revealed the "here comes the feeling" tagline for this project. Kojima teased that Physint will offer the "next stage of tactical espionage action," and it will feature graphics that will "break the barrier" between movies and games.

Physint

Three of the actors who will appear in the game were also revealed: Charlee Fraser (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga), Don Lee (Marvel's Eternals), and Minami Hamabe (Godzilla: Minus One) will all be in the game as various characters. To tease just how advanced the visuals will be, Kojima showed off Hamabe's CG-rendered character facial model, which revealed an impressive amount of realistic detail.

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This week's Beyond the Strand presentation debuted a first look at the Death Stranding anime set in Hideo Kojima's world of mass extinction events and lethal rainfall. Currently in production under the working title of Death Stranding: Mosquito, the teaser trailer for the movie showed off a brutal brawl and highly stylized animation.

In typical Death Stranding fashion, the trailer raised more questions than answers as it suggested that the two individuals--one of whom is dressed in the same gear worn by game protagonist Sam Porter Bridges--are Repatriates. Functionally immortal, Repatriates can survive death after they reconnect their soul to their human body through the purgatory-like realm of the Seam.

Beyond that, it appears that the film draws considerable inspiration from the games. The fight unfolds during a bout of Timefall, and one of the characters is wearing a mask with a mosquito-like proboscis that appears to be made from the tar-like substance that Beached Things are coated in. There's also a BT dog of sorts, with hands for a face. Yup, this is definitely a Death Stranding project.

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Three energetic alien slimes, Ember, Penny and Lite, are tasked by their commander to travel to Earth in order to learn more about the lifeforms inhabiting the planet, using their species' unique morphing abilities to disguise themselves as girls in order to keep a low profile! But after their ship crashes after a non-specific captain falls asleep at the wheel - *cough* Ember *cough* - The trio get split up and stranded on Earth, leading them to each traverse through a variety of level and locations full of platforming, puzzles and combat, meeting a lively cast of friends and foes along the way!

The Aztecs - a mighty Mesoamerican civilization that thrived for over three centuries, ruling vast territories and forging one of the most awe-inspiring societies in human history. A people of vision and strength, steeped in rich traditions, powerful deities, and sacred rituals. You are Tlatoani, a divine Aztec leader, born to shape the destiny of your people. Aztecs: The Last Sun is a city-building and survival experience set at the height of a dying age. Build the mighty city-state of Tenochtitlan, lead your people and earn the favor of ancient gods to stand against a looming darkness that threatens to consume your world.

In 1960s Japan, Shimizu Hinako's secluded town of Ebisugaoka is consumed by a sudden fog, transforming her home into a haunting nightmare. As the town falls silent and the fog thickens, Hinako must navigate the twisted paths of Ebisugaoka, solving complex puzzles and confronting grotesque monsters to survive. Immerse yourself into Hinako's world imagined by renowned author Ryukishi07, with entrancing music, including pieces by Akira Yamaoka, and beautiful visuals in a gripping tale of doubt, regret, and inescapable choices. Will Hinako embrace the beauty hidden within terror, or succumb to the madness that lies ahead?

Monster Taming meets Roguelite. Become the Aethermancer and fight alongside mythical creatures. Explore the ever-changing Fractured Ruins, plan your moves in challenging turn-based battles, and watch your Monsters grow stronger from previous lives and defy death! Encounter the monsters of Terastae that defied the virtues of this world and are trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth. Use your special ability as an Aethermancer to form bonds with monsters to guide your party of three through a sprawling world and dangerous battles. Make smart skill choices as your monsters grow stronger and find synergies between your monsters - making every one truly unique!