Marvel Rivals has released its mid-season update for Season 1.5, and while it's a small update, it still packs a fiery punch, focusing on tweaks to The Human Torch, Iron Man, and Cloak & Dagger.

"Following the balance adjustments in Season 1.5 and the addition of the Human Torch and The Thing, we've noticed a surge in the popularity of various heroes, leading to exciting new strategies in matches," the game's developers wrote in a recent blog post announcing the update. "Whether it's a rush comp centered around mobile Vanguards and Duelists, a double-flyer setup featuring Storm and Human Torch, or the classic 3-1-2 lineup with three Vanguards, or even the previously popular 2-2-2 or single Vanguard compositions, each has showcased their unique flair in the current competitive environment."

"So, in this mid-season balance update for Season 1.5, we'll be optimizing the experience for just a handful of heroes to maintain this rich diversity," the post went on to explain. "As we gear up for Season 2, expect new Heroes and fresh Team-Up Abilities to bring an even more thrilling experience!"

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Destiny 2's seasonal event, Guardian Games 2025, brings a brand-new weapon to the space shooter's arsenal: Keraunios. This Legendary Arc trace rifle is far more effective in PvE than PvP activities due to the perks it can roll with. Having said that, Keraunios also receives plenty of buffs from Heresy Artifact, as it focuses on Arc abilities and damage output. Here's how to get it and the Keraunios god roll perks to look out for.

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• How to get Keraunios

How to get Keraunios

Keraunios can drop from any Guardian Games weapons source, such as Rushdown or by completing objectives given by Eva Levante in the Tower for the duration of the event. Doing the Rushdown mode is the most effective way to get your hands on Keraunios quickly, as if you defeat at least three bosses in a single run, you're guaranteed a Guardian Games weapon drop. Keraunios is exclusive to Guardian Games, so remember that once the event is over, you will no longer be able to obtain it. At least, not until 2026.

Guardian Games event challenges also include a guaranteed Keraunios drop. All you need to do is earn and deposit any medal from the games in the Tower event area. Completing the first step in the Best in Class quest, collected from Eva Levante, will also give you a Keraunios. Remember that you need to equip or use the Guardian Games class item as an ornament for rewards to drop.

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The new trailer for The Last of Us Season 2 that debuted at SXSW recently has been a huge hit. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, the trailer has reached 158 million views across all platforms over its first three days. That's a record for any original HBO/Max programming, Deadline reported. The network did not reveal, however, what the previous biggest trailer was.

WBD said the new trailer is pacing ahead of previous trailers and teasers by at least 160%. The newest trailer was perhaps the best one yet, showing off the growing rift between Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey). The trailer also revealed that spores are back and showed The Matrix actor Joe Pantoliano's character, Eugene, for the first time. Check out the trailer below.

Kaitlyn Dever joins the cast as Abby in Season 2. Young Mazino plays Jesse, Isabela Merced portrays Dina, and Catherine O'Hara appears as Joel's therapist. Additionally, Jeffrey Wright stars in Season 2 as Isaac, the character he played in The Last of Us: Part II.

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Act II of Destiny 2: Episode Heresy has dropped and brought with it some new toys to have fun with. A new rocket-assisted-frame sidearm has arrived in the form of Lotus Eater. This new Void element weapon is another excellent addition to the archetype--however you get your hands on one, a rocket sidearm is a great asset, and this is the first Void rocket sidearm to be released. Here's how players can find it and what the god roll perks for Lotus Eater are.

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• How to get Lotus Eater

How to get Lotus Eater

Lotus Eater is only available as a drop from Nightfalls or Grandmaster Nightfalls when the weapon is a part of the weekly rotation. At the end of a Nightfall run, it has a chance to drop. Each difficulty tier has a particular percentage to drop Lotus Eater, but the easiest way to guarantee a drop to happen is to complete a Grandmaster Nightfall with a Platinum score. Achieving a Platinum score on Grandmaster will guarantee a drop for the Adept variation of Lotus Eater while it is on rotation, which offers increased stats and curated rolls.

After Episode Heresy has concluded and the next expansion is available, Lotus Eater will also be available to unlock via spending Nightfall Ciphers at Zavala in the Tower.

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Blizzard is continuing to peel back the curtain on World of Warcraft's in-the-works player-housing system, this time revealing new details about how players will be able to decorate the interior of their homes on Azeroth.

In a blog post, Blizzard outlined what will be possible when it comes to decorating. Inside their home, players will be able to freely erect walls and create rooms, and further customize each room's wallpaper, ceiling, and flooring. Blizzard said players can customize the inside of their homes however they want by mixing and matching decor, flooring, and aesthetics. New objects made just for the player-housing feature will come with a large variety of color choices, allowing players to dye objects as they see fit.

An example of a home interior made using WoW's housing system.

Blizzard additionally clarified that just because a player's house may look like a shack on the outside, it could be a mansion on the inside with few restrictions in terms of the size or number of rooms. The opposite also applies, as what appears to be a mansion on the outside could be a single room home on the inside. It's all up to player preference.

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Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin's Creed Shadows will be playable on Steam Deck when it launches next week.

Assassin's Creed Shadows, the Japan-set latest entry in Ubisoft's long-running series, is the first game Ubisoft is bringing to Steam on day one since reversing its Steam release policy last fall. Despite that, Ubisoft had suggested in a previously posted Q&A that Shadows would not support Steam Deck at release because its specs were below the minimum PC requirements to run the game. Ubisoft took to X and reversed course on March 12. It is now saying that the game will work on day one.

Many of you have been asking about Steam Deck. We are happy to say that we are supporting Steam Deck at launch and are currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve. More info to come soon.

— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) March 12, 2025

That note about "currently awaiting the level of classification from Valve" is important because that will determine whether or not Shadows is listed as Verified for Steam Deck or just Playable on Steam Deck. Valve will mark games as Deck Verified after it tested to ensure they have full controller support and will look and run adequately on the handheld hardware. If games don't meet all of the requirements, they will be marked "Playable" on Steam Deck.

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Ivy Road's Wanderstop is a cozy story-driven game with farming sim elements, requiring you to discover new tea recipes to satisfy the requests of some very quirky customers. Some of your tea requests are fairly straightforward, but others are a bit harder to complete. Here, we'll guide you through all the recipes needed to complete your customer requests and advance the story.

Here we list all the customers and their tea requests in the order you'll encounter them, breaking the game into chapters. There are five chapters total.

Note: While it's not required to complete the game in any way, I highly recommend having Alta drink a cup of each recipe brewed. You get a unique bit of story or commentary with each recipe she drinks.

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If you have pleasant memories of blasting the Covenant round after round with your buddies in Halo's Firefight, we've got good news for you. A recent update to Halo Infinite has introduced old-school Firefight back into the game, a mode that was first introduced in Halo 3: ODST.

Titled "Firefight Classic," it's a round-based mode where you and three squadmates team up to take out endless waves of enemies. This version of the classic mode features rounds of five waves each, with three rounds adding up to a "set." Your team shares a pool of seven lives, and when they're all used up, you're done for.

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The MMO Defiance, which was shut down in 2021, is coming back to life. For anyone unaware, Defiance was a third-person shooter MMO from Trion Worlds that was developed as a tie-in for the Syfy show of the same name, with events and storylines running across the game and the TV show. It launched in 2013 as a paid game for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, before adopting a free-to-play model and continued to receive updates even after the TV show was canceled in 2015. A new version of the game, Defiance 2050, came out in 2018--but both games shut down servers in 2021. Now, Defiance is attempting a comeback.

Fawkes, a game company whose mission is "breathing life to old worlds and preserving their legacy," has announced plans to bring Defiance back following a deal with previous rights-owner Gamigo.

"Even though the TV series was discontinued in 2015 and Gamigo eventually closed the game in 2021, the memories of epic Arkfalls and immersive, post‑apocalyptic battles live on in your hearts," Fawkes said.

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Cobalt Blue DualSense controller

$54 (was $80) with promo code PLAY5

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Volcanic Red DualSense controller

$54 (was $80) with promo code PLAY5

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Sterling Silver DualSense controller

$54 (was $80) with promo code PLAY5

See at Lenovo

Lenovo might not be the first place you’d expect to find DualSense Controllers on sale, but it’s currently the best place to buy models in the Deep Earth lineup. Head over to the retailer and use promo code PLAY5 to get the Volcanic Red, Sterling Silver, or Cobalt Blue DualSense for PS5 and PC for just $54 (was $80). That makes them slightly more affordable than they were during Black Friday--so if you missed out on those deals and need an extra DualSense or two, now's a great time to pick up one of PlayStation's coolest models.

While Lenovo is advertising the promo code GAMEON, that one has actually inspired. But using promo code PLAY5 will still let you snag these premium designs for cheap, so make sure to apply the code before finalizing your purchase.

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Last July, SAG-AFTRA declared a strike against video game publishers over several issues, including pay and the lack of AI protections. That strike is now in its eighth month with no resolution in sight. According to the actors' union, the game publishers' unwillingness to bend on AI is why there's still no deal.

Via Eurogamer, SAG-AFTRA chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and chair of the Interactive Media Negotiating Committee Sarah Elmaleh shot down reports that a deal was near and alleged that publishers hoped that the actors would turn on each other. While the duo noted that some issues have been agreed upon, the publishers' AI proposals fall far short of what the actors want.

"The last proposal the bargaining group made is still filled with alarming loopholes that will leave our members vulnerable to AI abuse," wrote Crabtree and Elmaleh. They went on to lay out the sticking points, such as proposals that all of an actors' past performances--including those outside of the video game realm--could be used by AI without protections. They also suggest that producers want the ability to use AI to recreate actors' voices in the event of future strikes.

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Paradox Interactive has launched its Chapter 4 expansion pass for Crusader Kings 3 on PC, the core content being the new Genghis Khan-inspired Khans of the Steppe expansion. The pass also includes other expansions as well, such as Crowns of the World, Coronations, and All Under Heaven, and is currently being sold for $44.

The Khans of the Steppe expansion is focused on Nomadic life and the rise of the Great Khan. In it, players will be able to manage their herds, migrate across regions, and establish dominance in the Great Steppe. The expansion will also let players learn more about Mongolian history, cultural events, and traditions. Khans of the Steppe is scheduled to release on April 28 and will cost $20 if purchased separately.

While Khans of the Steppe isn't available until next month, those who purchase the expansion pass can receive the Crowns of the World update immediately. It's a cosmetic-based update that gives players six crowns, four hairstyles, and two beards to customize their rulers further.

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It might look like Advance Wars. It might even play similarly to Advance Wars. But Warside is its own game, and it's coming out in roughly a month on PC: April 14. Meanwhile, a console release should be coming soon, too.

Publisher First Break Labs revealed Warside's release date in a new trailer for the game--seen below. As you can see, the turn-based title resembles Advance Wars, featuring infantry, tanks, and airplanes that can be moved around a tile-based map. The pixel art even shares similarities with the long-running Nintendo franchise.

Warside is touted as a "fast-paced, turn-based tactics game" and will offer a story campaign alongside multiplayer support. First Break Labs is also promising 14 playable commanders (possessing their own passive skills and powers), over 30 unit types, and a map editor.

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After launching the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT GPUs last week, AMD has now officially launched the Ryzen 9 9950X3D and 9900X3D processors. Early reviews are praising the components as some of the most powerful CPUs on the market--so if you’re piecing together a premium gaming rig, they’re likely a good fit for your needs. However, they’re bound to be a hot commodity, so if you find one in stock, it’s a good idea to pick it up while you can. The 9950X3D costs $699, while the 9900X3D costs $599.

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D/9900X3D Restock Tracker Check stock at Amazon Check stock at Best Buy

These two CPUs are the successors to the popular Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which launched last November and quickly became the must-have processor for gaming and high-end development applications. The 9950X3D and 9900X3D aim to offer an even more well-rounded experience. The 9800X3D has been hard to find in stock, but if you want to save some cash, you can get the current No. 1 best-selling CPU for $480 at Amazon.

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Palworld developer Pocketpair has announced that cross-play will be added to the game in late March, and that it'll be supported on PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Mac. Additionally, the upcoming update will also "implement multiplayer between different platforms" and the ability to move Pals between worlds, according to the developer notes on Steam.

Cross-play has been one of the biggest player-requested features for the game since it first launched in early access, and back in January, Pocketpair confirmed that it would be arriving in 2025 alongside several other additions to the game. Improvements to world-object-placement and base Pals, new endgame content, and overall game optimization were also mentioned back then as part of several updates to Palworld ahead of its eventual full release.

Pocketpair also recently revealed that Palworld had crossed a major player milestone, as the game has exceeded 32 million players across all platforms it's currently available on, including Xbox's Game Pass and Game Preview programs. At the same time, Pocketpair has been involved in a legal dispute with Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, with the two companies accusing it of infringing on several patents owned by them.

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Ubisoft is "horribly mismanaged" and has failed to inform the public about supposed conversations with Microsoft and EA regarding possible acquisition deals. That's according to the Ubisoft minority shareholder AJ Investments, which said in a memo that it might organize a protest at Ubisoft's office in Paris to help elevate its concerns and get attention.

AJ Investments CEO Juraj Krupa said in a statement seen by IGN that Ubisoft is "horribly mismanaged by current management." The investment group, which previously urged Ubisoft management to make drastic changes, said Ubisoft needs to disclose a "clear roadmap for recovery" amid "declining shareholder value, lackluster operational execution, and failure to adapt effectively to market trends."

Krupa went on to say that the private financial market platform MergerMarket carried a story that claims Ubisoft was talking to Microsoft, EA, and other companies about potentially acquiring unspecified franchises from Ubisoft. Krupa said Ubisoft management failed to disclose these discussions publicly.

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Similar to the Pantheon in structure, but not in difficulty, the Destiny 2 Rushdown mode is brand new for Guardian Games 2025. Players take on five bosses, each one more difficult than the last. There is no downtime or rally flags between bosses, so having a strong but well-rounded loadout is essential. You'll want to ensure your fireteam has good synergy, as well as good communication. Your performance directly impacts your score, so the faster you get through each encounter, and the fewer deaths you have, the higher your score will be.

Bosses are made up of encounters from campaigns, seasonal stories, and Exotic missions that can be tackled at Warm-Up, Standard, or Expert level. Standard and Expert level both feature modifiers that make each encounter more difficult, as well as revive tokens, so keep an eye on those to ensure you're not close to running out of them.

Using the flag to transport to the next boss

Using fewer revive tokens also contributes towards a higher score. While we'd recommend running Rushdown with a fireteam of friends, it does feature class-based matchmaking if you can't manage to put a team together. There is a timer, but completing an encounter extends it, and it doesn't add too much pressure. We completed our first run of all five bosses in a little over nine minutes on Standard difficulty.

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EA and developer Full Circle have reportedly implemented microtransactions into the closed alpha for Skate. That means any purchases made will most likely be refunded back into the game's digital currency as progress will be reset before the early access launch.

According to Insider Gaming, microtransactions became available with the latest update for Skate. They're called San Van Bucks and are utilized for cosmetic items in the sports game. EA and Full Circle are testing out the shop for Skate before it launches in early access this year.

The following message apparently greets testers for Skate: "To ensure we achieve these goals at early access we have enabled the option to purchase and use virtual currency (San Van Bucks) in our ongoing closed alpha playtest. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated in providing a great experience at early access launch."

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Fresh off of his hosting stint at this year's Oscars, Conan O'Brien came to South by Southwest this week to co-host a panel with Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries. O'Brien--whose previous gaming experience includes co-hosting the Clueless Gamer segments on his TBS talk show Conan and a cameo appearance in Death Stranding--jokingly suggested that he agreed to the SXSW panel for one reason only: to be in a Diablo game.

"The reason I flew from Los Angeles to be here was I want to be in the next Diablo," said O'Brien. "I would like to be a demon. Or maybe a necromancer... My wife, when she met me, thought I was a necromancer."

O'Brien went on to talk about recording his appearance for Death Stranding in Tokyo, which gave him a greater appreciation for how games are made. He also credited his son for showing him that there was more to gaming than he originally realized.

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There's an old myth in the theater world that Shakespeare's Macbeth is cursed, and any theatre company who tries to put it on will endure some sort of misfortune during the production. One area that hasn't been tested yet, though, is video games--until now, as upstart Specto Studio, led by a former theater director, has announced Hail Macbeth for consoles and PC.

Hail Macbeth is a third-person narrative adventure and an adaptation of the classic Shakespearean play, where players will assume the role of an "unseen force" guiding Macbeth through the story. They will work against what the official announcement calls "the witches," which are "embedded into the game’s UI, subtly revealing or obscuring information, shifting perspective, and distorting reality in ways that make players question the limits of their control."

Hail MacBeth concept artGallery

Unlike the original work, this version of Macbeth will be set in an alternate version of the 1990s, with castles, corporate high-rises, and “industrial ruins." The game's script, however, will retain the exact wording from Shakespeare's original work, and the studio has scanned real-world costumes and props into the game in order to "achieve a sense of lived-in reality."

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