GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:20 PM Celebrating the super women who lead the fight, Pixie and Madelyne Pryor will make their way to Kabam's popular Marvel Contest of Champions this March. The post Pixie and Madelyne Pryor Joining Marvel Contest of Champions in March appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:20 PM Featuring a week of speedruns, skits, and fundraising, Games Done Quick's women and femmes winter speedrunning event Frost Fatales 2026 will return from March 8 to March 14. The post Frost Fatales 2026 Returning March 8-14 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:36 PM Known for her work on Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run's "Holy Steel," International J-pop Singer/Songwriter SHIHORI will be a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026 this summer. The post SHIHORI Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of Honor appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:48 PM The ultimate arcade escape awaits when devotid and Kwalee's The Coin Game sees its 1.0 release on March 19. The post Arcade Escape The Coin Game Fully Releasing March 19 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:24 PM Providing suspenseful horror and sheer action across both its protagonists, Resident Evil: Requiem is yet another Capcom banger survival horror fans will absolutely love. The post Resident Evil: Requiem Review appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:12 PM Dialing the clock back to skateboarding's golden era, Season 3 of Full Circle and EA's skate. will launch March 10. The post skate. Season 3 Launching March 10 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 7:33 PM  Stop doing Rook runs. Slow down. Quit shooting everything. |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:57 PM  Could GTA+ become Take-Two's answer to EA, Ubisoft, and Xbox's gaming subscription plans? |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:16 PM  The company says its mission is 'not affiliated with any political viewpoint or agenda' |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:15 PM  A computer engineer discovered that the game's Discord integration was logging all user behavior on the social platform |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:05 PM  The challenge asked devs to tackle some daunting in-game tasks to earn a donation to a charity of their choice |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:55 PM  Also The Deep and Black Noir do a podcast |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:45 PM  'I just know she runs her Minecraft server like it's the navy' |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:34 PM  If you lent a gun to a buddy during the Server Slam last week, it might be waiting for you in Bungie's new FPS |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:19 PM  The life sim is pretty straightforward, but there are a few ways to streamline it further |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:40 PM  The news comes as a leadership shakeup has fans questioning the platform's future |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:15 PM  Bungie won't suffer leaks the way it once did with Destiny 2 |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:00 PM  The roguelike sequel is out in Early Access today |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:50 PM  Bungie's new extraction shooter has finally launched on PS5, Xbox, and PC with some pricey skins |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:06 PM  The Animal Crossing-style life sim is cozy until it's not |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:50 PM  Also: we're getting Ruiner 2 and it looks as nihilistically sci-fi grim as ever |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:30 PM  Fans have been wondering if Peakychu is the ghost of a Pikachu long gone |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:30 PM  At least Ubisoft offered up a big deal on Mario+Rabbids: Sparks of Hope.... |
Kotaku Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:17 PM  44 new Ditto transformations are yours to love and squeeze and cuddle |
PCGamesN Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:39 PM With a new raid set to drop later this year, it's time to convince Jagex that a "mega rare" MMO boss drop doesn't have to be a weapon. |
PCGamesN Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:37 PM If the Paladin class had you thinking the next Diablo 4 expansion would be easy, the Warlock looks set to show the action RPG who's boss. |
PCGamesN Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:23 PM Spread across entirely different genres, Steam is having a rough time this evening as three new games bring in hundreds of thousands of players. |
PCGamesN Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:08 PM Long-awaited building RPG, Hytale, is gearing up to hire its best modders, and a long contest with cash prizes is sure to show them off. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:56 PM  Somehow, Pragmata was announced almost six whole years ago. Where did those years go? I certainly didn't allow them to go anywhere! Originally slated for release in 2022, it was eventually delayed into 2023, then indefinitely, before Capcom finally locked in a 2026 release date. Which it will not be making, technically, as while it was originally slated to launch on April 24th, it'll no longer be doing so… because it's coming out earlier. Teehee, I fooled you, what a little trickster I am! |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:32 PM  Not all that long off the heels of releasing parkour boomer shooter Metal Eden, developer Reikon Games have now announced that they'll be returning to their cyberpunk world Ruiner in the form of… well, it's just called Ruiner 2. And it's a sequel that sure, looks like more of the same, but the immediately noticeable difference in this one will be that you can play it with a couple of your buddies. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:03 PM  Hear ye, hear ye! It is time to play your hand, for the day of prophecy has come: Slay the Spire 2 has, finally, launched into early access. I know, I know, there's some game about running a marathon or something by a team of folks that run a bungee jumping business out today too. Forget that! Running is difficult, deckbuilding is… also difficult, but, I don't like running, so there. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:00 PM  There is no greater source of tepid rage than when I see a game, I buy it, I proceed to download it, and it tells me it needs to take up one billion gigabytes of my hard drive space (NB: one billion is an exaggeration). It fills every corner of my being with a potent darkness, and I would like it to stop. This is a feeling many had with Helldivers and its ludicrously large 154GB install size, leading to a test build of the game to be released by Arrowhead last year knocking it way down to only 23GB in size. And now, after some testing, this build will be available to everyone! |
Siliconera Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:14 PM
Bandai Namco teased a new RPG reveal earlier this week, and it turns out it is a new Sword Art Online game called Echoes of Aincrad. It will be available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. Pre-orders are live ahead of the July 10, 2026 debut, there is a pre-order DLC incentive, and $89.99 Deluxe and $109.99 Ultimate Editions will appear.
The idea is that the game will mimic the experience of living through the SAO Aincrad VR MMORPG. We'll create custom characters and go on adventures. That will also mean fighting to survive. As a pre-order incentive, people get the Proto-Elucidator Series Weapon Pack that has six weapons and shields and six weapon blueprints.
If someone gets the Deluxe Edition, they get a combination of early unlocks and DLC. A Starter Pack with 10 High Healing potions, 10 High SP Potions, 10 Mystic Crystals, and 50,000 Col will be available, you'll be able to take part in the Death Game Mode right away without needing to earn it, and when the expansion releases it will automatically be downloaded and yours. The Ultimate Edition adds flutter Boots and Flutter Robes Armor Pack, a digital art book, a digital soundtrack, and a "special anime."
Here's the first trailer for the promised Bandai Namco RPG:
The Sword Art Online game Echoes of Aincrad will come to the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on July 10, 2026, the original anime series is on Crunchyroll, and Yen Press handles manga, audiobooks, and light novels based on the series.
The post New Bandai Namco RPG Is Sword Art Online Echoes of Aincrad appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:00 PM
Capcom announced that we'll see Pragmata sooner than expected, as the release date now falls earlier in April 2026. Before, it was expected to launch on April 24, 2026. The Capcom spotlight confirmed we'll now see it on April 17, 2026 instead. There's also a new trailer that shows off additional locations in the game.
The company didn't explain why the game will be out sooner, rather than later. It only noted that it decided to adjust the launch by one week. While the new footage did include some gameplay, it mainly focused on some additional moon locations we'll visit with Hugh and Diana. We see the two of them flying over the lunar base, landing, then being attacked by enemies. Diana explained a moonquake caused damage to IDUS when they were going to prepare to head to Earth, causing the system to see the two as enemies. We see that, as a result of the two meeting, Diana decided to change what she wants out of life and decided that she wants to go to Earth with Hugh. The end of the video also teases the idea of some customization elements as the duo meets a robot named Cabin who helps with "Shelter."
Here's the new Pragmata "Main Trailer" video.
Pragmata will come to the Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC on April 24, 2026, and a demo is available. A Diana amiibo will also be released and work with the Switch 2 version of the game.
The post Pragmata Release Date Bumped Up appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:00 PM
Another Kairosoft simulation is part of Apple Arcade, with subscribers now able to play the game Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story on their devices. This is the full game, which previously appeared on the Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and stars characters from the anime. The product page is live now.
Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story is like Kairosoft restaurant management simulation installments, as you spend the game running the restaurant, finding recipes, and rising through the ranks of popularity. (So it might feel similar to Bonbon Cakery, Cafeteria Nipponica, The Ramen Sensei, and The Sushi Spinnery.) In it, you help Nobita, Doraemon, Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo create a shop, arrange its furniture, develop new recipes, use Secret Gadgets, and enter dorayaki contests.
Here's the official trailer and announcement, which shows how things work and some of the different types of desserts we can make and sell in the game.
The most recent Kairosoft game isn't tied to any other IP, as it's the simulation Demon Castle Story. That's on mobile devices and PCs, and it involves making a castle into a hub for demon lord that will be strong enough to repel invading heroes.
Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story is available Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and it is also part of the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The post Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story Joins Apple Arcade appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:00 PM
The Pokemon Company International confirmed the monochromatic 1996 Style Pikachu plush merchandise will appear at the Pokemon Center outside Japan. The official social media account confirmed it. Neither the Pikachu stuffed animal or keychain is showing up on the North American site yet, but both are already available in Japan.
Each of these plush is based on the original chonky Pikachu that appeared in Pokemon Red, Blue, and Green, and as such the two pieces of merchandise feature the same monochromatic green color scheme and pixelated elements to their designs. The standard stuffed animal is about seven inches tall, while the full keychain is around four inches. The larger plush toy is fully 3D, while the keychain is more flat like an in-game sprite. US prices aren't set, but the larger toy is 3,300円 (~$21) in Japan and keychain is 880円 (~$5.60).
Here's how those two look:
This is one of many pieces of original Pikachu merchandise to show up alongside the 30th anniversary. Takara Tomy also confirmed a life-size plush toy. In Japan, both that toy and these 1996 Style Pokemon Center ones sold out.
The 1996 Style Pikachu plush keychain and stuffed animal will appear in the Pokemon Center worldwide in the near future.
The post 1996 Style Pikachu Plush Heads to Pokemon Center Worldwide appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:00 PM
Nintendo confirmed on social media that there will be two additional Kirby Air Riders amiibo created, bringing the total number of figures for the game up to seven. They will be Sword Kirby and a variant of King Dedede. No release date was mentioned, but if the pricing is in line with the existing ones they should end up costing $49.99 each.
Editor's Note: There will be spoilers for one of the two Kirby Air Riders amiibo.
As with the other amiibo in this line, you are getting two figures in each situation. One involves Sword Kirby riding the Dragoon Machine. The other is Noir Dedede on the Hydra Machine. These are two of the more overpowered and secret vehicles in the game. In each case, you can remove the character from their ride and swap them when displayed or in use.
This is how both will look:
Here's the full list of all the confirmed amiibo for the game so far. In the case of the two newest ones and Chef Kawasaki, we don't have release windows yet.
In the meantime, Nintendo Music now offers the full Kirby Air Riders soundtrack for Nintendo Switch Online members to listen to on mobile devices.
Kirby Air Riders is available for the Switch 2, and the Sword Kirby and Noir Dedede amiibo are in development.
The post 2 More Kirby Air Riders amiibo Ready to Race appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:54 PM
Slay the Spire 2 has released with five different characters, and they will massively influence your runs.
When you begin your adventures, you'll have only one character. However, the list of options expands rapidly as you clear a few runs. While I feel that all five characters are well-balanced and have their strengths and weaknesses, some of them are a tad better than the rest.
Table of contents
Complete Slay the Spire 2 character tier list
To separate the characters, I have used two tiers. This could change in the future if we get more characters in early access. However, the overall balance between the characters is pretty decent.
S-tier
Regent
The Regent isn't the easiest of characters to master. Unlike the other characters, the Regent's strength lies in the use of stars. You begin every combat with three of them. You'll have to build a deck that allows you to get more stars. You can then use the stars to land powerful spells. Some of them can even do serious damage and give you more stars if it results in a casualty.
As long as you can manage your basic cards well, gain stars consistently, and know how to use them, the Regent is an extremely fun character. With 75 health, he can take a few hits if you don't get your blocks up in time.
Necrobinder
The Necrobinder enhances the power of death and immortality to defeat his opponents. You'll begin a combat with your trusted ally, who begins at one health. However, you can buff your pet up to raise its damage and defense. It will absorb plenty of damage for you (although the mechanic seems slightly bugged as of writing on launch).
The Necrobinder class revolves around using your pet to deal the main damage. You'll find spells that deal massive damage, and their cost can even be brought down to zero soul (required energy to play your cards). While the Necrobinder is perhaps the most entertaining character to play, keep note of his low pool of health.
A-tier
Ironclad
The Ironclad is the first character/class you'll have in Slay the Spire 2. This character offers a bit of everything, and he is pretty easy to learn. His basic cards include simple strikes and shields. However, you can buff his abilities to do more damage with better cards, while adding negative status effects like Vulnerable on the enemies.
As a beginner, you won't always be able to avoid damage. The Ironclad heals 6 HP at the end of combat, and he has the highest starting health among all characters. While he lacks specialized damage options that will be required in the latter stages of your run, I love the flexibility he offers. He is easily S-tier for beginners for his ease of play and all-rounded nature.
Silent
The Silent offers one of the best damage potentials among all characters. The Silent is well-suited to take down the strongest of enemies in a few blows. Unlike Ironclad, the Silent has dedicated means of doing damage, which only gets better in the latter stages.
If you're somone who loves to play with bigger decks, Silent will allow you to get two extra cards at the end of every combat. Having a bigger deck has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. For beginners, a bigger deck might not be great. At 70, the Silent has the second-lowest starting health pool.
Defect
The Defect is a fun character that channels the power of lightning orbs to damage his opponents. The orbs do three damage by default, but you can Evoke to deal eight damage instead. You'll always begin with one Lightnight that you get to channel at the start of a combat.
My main issue with the Defect character is the overreliance on Evoke. If you don't draw cards with Evoke ability with consistency, you'll face problems later in your run. Hence, you'll largely rely on the cards you add to your deck on your run, with priority being getting Evoke options.
The post Slay the Spire 2 character tier list appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:07 PM
Marathon's Deluxe Edition is full of cool items, but many players are unable to claim them on day one.
Access to Marathon's first Rewards Pass is one of the items in the Deluxe Edition, as are some skins and currency. But in the minutes following launch, reports are flying in that these rewards are nowhere to be found.
Here's what we know so far about Marathon pre-order, Deluxe Edition, Rewards Pass, and Server Slam items missing.
Marathon Rewards Pass and Deluxe Edition items missing
In the hours following Marathon's launch, many players are unable to access their Deluxe Edition items, including the Rewards Pass voucher to unlock items as part of the game's seasonal pass, along with pre-order items. This is likely a bug or an error.
If you own the Deluxe Edition of Marathon and see the screen above on your Rewards Pass page, do not buy it again. It's likely that there are issues with the permissions for the unlocks rolling out in the minutes after launch, and we can assume that the items will become available soon.
Within an hour of launch, Bungie posted this message on the game's Discord:
"We're investigating an issue where Deluxe Edition items are not available in-game for some players. We will report back when we have further details."
Bungie had. already said ahead of time that it may take some time for items to roll out, including Server Slam rewards and Twitch drops, and those are included in the current rollout of items.
"Server Slam cosmetic rewards and Arrival Caches will roll out during the first day of launch," Bungie explained. "It will take some time for them to make it to everyone's in-game Mailboxes, so if you don't see them upon logging in, hold tight — they should arrive soon."
If you're like me, unable to claim any items including the Rewards Pass voucher, then just sit tight, play a few rounds on Tau Ceti IV, and the items will hopefully begin to show up eventually throughout the day. Whenever they do arrive, there should be a notification in your inbox in-game to claim them.
Update on March 5, 5:05pm CT: Deluxe Edition rewards have started to roll out. I just received mine within the last few minutes. The Runner Shell cosmetics and other items should appear in your inventory soon if not already.
The post How to claim Marathon Rewards Pass items – Deluxe Edition rewards not working appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:54 PM
Marathon is finally out. The game, which saw huge activity during its free-to-play server slam, replicated its previous success by opening to over 86,000 players, this time at a $40 price tag. Of course, this is being described as a "flop" by some, because we simply cannot have nice things in 2026.
Negative narratives around basically anything nowadays tend to form rather quickly, often propagated by people (and of course bots) who never actually experienced the thing they're hating. It seems that nowadays, following the "Fall of Concord" back in 2024, games have to blow it out of the park every single time lest they be considered complete failures.
Highguard was a recent example, and even if that game doesn't really scream quality at the top of its lungs, it certainly didn't deserve the hate train coming its way, boarded almost exclusively by those without any hours clocked in the title.
And now Marathon is on the chopping block.
During its development, Marathon was marred by problems and hitches. It had several directors swapped out, had a few playtests that weren't so well-received by those who participated in them, and so on. It crossed out every prerequisite for "development hell," indicating the actual release would be a terrible experience for Bungie and perhaps the final nail in its coffin.
But that turned out not to be true, even during the server slam. It had over 130,000 concurrent players at that point and has over 86,000 now that the game costs $40 U.S. dollars. Nothing about Marathon tells us that it's a flop or a failure or even underperforming for that matter.
And those are just the Steam numbers, which I imagine represent about half of its total player base, if not less.
The hate train keeps chugging along, however, no matter what.
While browsing X, I spotted one user arguing that, since Marathon is performing worse than Destiny and the recently released Slay the Spire 2 (which costs about 50 percent less than Marathon), it must be considered a "complete flop of a game" and, of course, as "Concord 3.0" (the other one being Highguard).
"Marathon is dead on arrival," another user wrote. Dexerto, a video game outlet, also compared Slay the Spire 2's performance to Marathon, saying the former "beats out" Bungie's shooter, as if the two were ever comparable, both in price and genre.
The narrative is forming and slowly being propagated by so many people and even news outlets, who use superficial arguments to frame a game as a failure despite the fact that it had probably earned over three and a half million USD if we go by Steam's concurrent numbers alone, which are in fact much larger, especially when consoles are taken into account.
And what's worse, it's people who either didn't play the game or haven't even seen what it has to offer. Those who did say it's a good title, with it having 81 percent positive reviews on Steam at the time of writing, which improved as the launch day progressed, and are set to grow as time goes by.
Compare that to Highguard's 45 percent and its myriad of regions that have it at mostly negative or even worse. Highguard was also a free game that ended up flopping, whereas Marathon is already raking in a lot of cash that should see it sustained for the foreseeable future.
Online arguments and narratives have become so toxic and tiresome, to the point where I'm almost willing to give up on trying to reason with people and to pragmatically view every single game on a case-by-case basis. Why do we have to go out of our way to frame things negatively before they're even out or without trying them for ourselves, at least for a little while?
I have every hope that Marathon will succeed and grow into a great game, because as I noted in one of my recent features, its art direction deserves all the praise it can get, as that'd prove to developers that giving a damn about looks (not just in terms of graphics) is crucial for a successful title.
The post Marathon opens to great numbers on Steam—but a hateful narrative is already forming because this is the internet in 2026 appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:45 PM
Pokopia hit digital shelves across the world this morning, and Pokémon fans have already begun gobbling up everything the life-simulation game has to offer. In the Pocket Monster franchise's newest title, players can find notes and other data points scattered around the island, and some fans think they've found a teaser for a new form for a Gen 4 species coming in Gen 10.
One of these data points, titled the "Shellos Report," talks about the sea slug-like Pokémon from Sinnoh, Shellos—and what could be a new form for it.
"Shellos changes its color and appearance based on diet and the environment it lives in," the entry reads. "We are researching day and night in an attempt to create a heretofore unknown yellow Shellos."
Pokemon fans will know Shellos and its evolved form Gastrodon currently only come in two colors: pink and a greenish blue. You can get Shellos in both of its forms in Pokopia, though there's currently no sign of a yellow form—yet, at least. We know other Pokémon species will be joining the life-simulation game in future events and updates, however, so it's possible we may get a new yellow Shellos later on. Or, as many Pokémon fans on social media have surmised, it could be a teaser for a new color variant for the water type in Gen 10, when Winds and Waves release.
Though Shellos's colors don't change its typing like regional variants, it's a fun little gimmick the species has. Shellos and Gastrodon haven't received any special love from Game Freak in the form of Gigantamax or Mega Evolution forms like many other creatures in the franchise, so it'd be nice for the two to get something in the next generation of games, even if it's only a new look.
So, what do you think? Are we about to see a new form for our slimy little slug friend? Or is this just a fun little note the developers left for Pokopia players? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Pokémon fans think they've discovered a new, upcoming form for a Gen 4 species in Pokopia appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:36 PM
There are some advanced concepts to understand in Marathon, and the DCON allows you to deposit certain items required to complete different contracts.
The DCON appears like a safebox, and they're located at strategic locations. Their locations are fixed, but you'll need to find them on a map before you get to use them. Let's find out where all the DCONs are located on the Marathon maps so that you can find them easily on your runs.
Table of contents
How to find all DCONs in Marathon
As of writing, we have two available maps in Marathon at its launch: Perimeter and Dire Marsh. Let's find out where the DCONs are located on each of the maps.
All DCON locations on Perimeter
The Perimeter map has four DCONs located all around the map.
All DCON locations on Dire Marsh
The Dire Marsh has three DCONs that you can find on the map.
The post All DCON locations in Marathon appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:33 PM
Slay the Spire 2's early access launch has been mostly smooth, but the WWWW bug has been creating problems for many.
As officially acknowledged by developers Mega Crit, it's one of the two major bugs that have been detected. There will be a hotfix that will permanently solve the issue. However, if you don't want to wait, there's a temporary workaround for you to try.
While this method isn't a guaranteed solution, it has helped me and many others in the community.
Slay the Spire 2 WWWW bug fix explained
The workaround for this bug appears to be pretty simple. You need to go to the game's main settings and change the language to English. You need to do this irrespective of what the default language is. The bug seems to appear randomly, and the cause remains unknown.
However, shifting to the English language appears to fix the problem. That said, the problem did recur for me once again when I restarted my game. Once I changed to English, the matter of WWWWs stopped. As of writing, there hasn't been a recurrence of this issue.
This isn't a permanent solution, and it's intended to work as a temporary fix until we can access the upcoming hotfix. The hotfix should be the permanent solution that will also allow you to play Slay the Spire 2 in a language of your preference (without being forced to use English to play).
The upcoming hotfix will also fix another bug that's related to Timeline unlocks. This bug can happen when you end certain multiplayer runs. If you're playing the single-player mode, this bug shouldn't be a worry for you at all.
The post How to fix Slay the Spire 2 Text Issue (WWWW bug) appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 5:25 PM
Shellos is one of the many Pokémon species who can join your town in Pokopia, but you may not know how to convince the Water type to move in right away.
Like other Pokémon, you'll need to build the right home before Shellos will appear on the island. In case you're after the Gen Four sea slug, here's how to get Shellos in Pokopia.
Table of contents
How to befriend Shellos in Pokopia
Compared to some of the other Pokémon you'll befriend, Shellos is a bit of a weird one. Instead of liking patches of grass or flower beds like other species, this Water type prefers signposts. Yup, that's right. Signposts.
Why? Beats me. But what I do know is that I got Shellos to pop up by placing a signpost next to a wooden pathway, as shown in the image below. I picked up the signpost from where you find the Dowsing Machine in the mountainous area southwest of the Pokémon Center, so don't worry about having to craft one if you haven't unlocked the recipe yet.
Shellos is a rare spawn, so you'll likely have to wait quite some time before it'll show up. You can get both its pink and green versions to appear with enough patience. To help with the process, I placed a Security Camera close to the signpost, and it eventually informed me a Pokémon had appeared without me having to wait nearby.
How to raise Shellos's comfort level in Pokopia
Once Shellos has moved in, they'll ask you to make their home more comfy by raising its humidity. If you've already completed in "Yawn Up a Storm" mission, you'll know some of the methods for doing so. If you haven't, though, don't fret—we've got you covered.
To raise humidity in Pokopia, you'll want to do the following:
You can also place a fountain or build a pond near the signpost to raise the environment's humidity, but I avoided having to do that with enough flowers and grass. If you're still having trouble getting Shellos's home to be humid enough, check the image below. That's what my Shellos's home looks like, so I'd recommend making it look somewhat like that to reach the humidity requirements.
Is there a yellow Shellos in Pokopia?
Longtime fans of Pokemon know all too well that Shellos comes in two colors: green and pink. But if you explore the island well enough in Pokopia, you'll eventually come across a discarded record titled "Shellos Report" that talks about a third type of Shellos, a yellow variant.
"Shellos changes its color and appearance based on diet and the environment it lives in," the entry reads. "We are researching day and night in an attempt to create a heretofore unknown yellow Shellos."
As of now, there's no sign that anyone has found a yellow Shellos in Pokopia. Some fans have postulated that this excerpt might've been put in the game as a teaser for generation 10, Winds and Waves, which are slated for releases in 2027.
The post How to get Shellos in Pokopia appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 3:15 PM Project Helix is the codename for Xbox's next console, which will also apparently play PC games, too
The next Xbox console has a codename, and it sounds pretty cool. Its functionality, in theory, may be even cooler.
According to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, the next Xbox console is codenamed Project Helix. That's almost about all we have to go on for now (other than the below teaser image, which she also made into her profile's header), but she did drop a very interesting tidbit about what it may be like.
"Great start to the morning with Team Xbox, where we talked about our commitment to the return of Xbox including Project Helix, the code name for our next generation console," she said on Twitter/X this afternoon. "Project Helix will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games."
PC games, huh? That sure sounds a lot like we may be getting that rumored Steam integration on the new Xbox, and that would be a sight to behold. Imagine your Steam library at the ready on the same console that you can play Forza or Gears of War, from the comfort of your couch. But if not Steam, a Windows Store offering PC games to buy for the console seems like a guarantee, at the very least.
There are ways to do all of this console/PC hybrid stuff now, obviously, with different setups like the Steam Deck or Asus ROG Ally X and other handhelds. And Valve's Steam Machine will be bringing its store, OS, and other functions to a home console design as well, so it appears that's where we are all headed as an industry.
Sharma said she is "looking forward to chatting about this more with partners and studios at my first GDC next week," so more info could be revealed soon. But for now, it sounds like we all should expect more of the "all-in-one" strategy from the company and less of its "this is an Xbox" advertising from previous years.
Being realistic here, I shudder to even imagine what the pricing of a console like this would be. The base Xbox Series X is already $650 as it is, and with RAM and GPU shortages seemingly inevitable with no end in sight, this next console could easily cross the $999 mark. At that point, why not just get a PC anyway? It's tough. And who even knows when it could launch? 2027 at the earliest, maybe, but with RAM issues, maybe it's best to delay? We shall see.
What are you looking for from the next Xbox? How far can gaming tech truly go nowadays, especially with pricing concerns? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:46 PM
Slay the Spire 2 has five different characters available at launch, and they offer you different ways to enjoy the game.
When you start your adventure, you can only select a single character. However, the list of available options can increase pretty quickly. Let's look at all five characters, their in-game stats, and how you can unlock them.
Table of contents
How to unlock all characters in Slay the Spire 2
As I mentioned earlier, there are five characters. The table below shows their names and how you can unlock them.
You can unlock all five characters in as little as five minutes. The method is pretty simple. You begin a run with a character, and then press the Esc button. Choose to Give Up from the menu. While your run ends prematurely, it counts as participation. Hence, you'll unlock the applicable character from your complete (but terrible) run.
All character stats in Slay the Spire 2
All five characters in Slay the Spire 2 start with 99 coins, but their health, relics, and roles will be completely different.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:26 PM
Are you trying to acquire the massively popular Slay the Spire 2, attempting to buy something else on Steam, and just come across this cryptic error message?
You're not alone, because this happens often when a popular game launches on Steam. Having prior knowledge, here's what we know about how to fix the problem.
What is Steam error E502 L3?
Error E502 L3 points to a server-side issue, meaning it's a problem on Valve's end. To be more precise, this specific error code can pop up whenever you're logging in or browsing the Steam store. It also commonly refers to a problem in Steam's storefront, one likely related to the massive potential customer influx that hits the platform whenever Valve announces a hot new item.
The latest Steam Deck was one such item when it came out, as it immediately jumped to the top of Steam's wishlist charts upon its announcement. It happened again with Hollow Knight: Silksong in September 2025, and now it's happening with Slay the Spire 2, which has been one of the most anticipated and wishlisted sequels on the platform. Another hot game, Marathon, was released at the same time on the same day, so the servers are likely getting walloped.
As such, unless the problem has already been fixed and you'll just have to restart Steam for it to regain access to your transactions, there's nothing you can do other than wait and check SteamDB for updates on all sorts of server-side issues.
Valve was quick to acknowledge the issue the last time it got so widespread with a game like Hollow Knight: Silksong, so it'll likely be quick to get to it this time around as well.
Just sit tight and wait for issues to subside so you can purchase Slay the Spire 2. The issue should subside in due time.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 2:01 PM
Marathon is now out on PCs and consoles worldwide, but PC users who have purchased the game on Steam have run into a problem.
Several players worldwide have reported instances when they've been unable to launch their game from Steam. This is despite their PC meeting all the requirements and having an active internet connection.
Thankfully, there's an easy fix to the problem.
How to solve Marathon not opening on Steam bug
The problem at hand appears to happen only when you're using Steam to play Marathon. Sometimes, the game will refuse to launch at all. A session will start, but the game closes abruptly. Alternatively, the game might not even run properly when you're opening it from Steam.
When the problem happens, restarting your Steam client seems to be a temporary fix that you can try.
This should solve the problem, but it could reappear. If that happens, your only solution is to restart Steam once again and then launch Marathon. Additionally, this method should also work if you're looking to purchase Steam but are unable to do so. Restarting Steam should allow you to purchase and download the game that will allow you to then jump into Tau Ceti IV.
Launch day has brought a few other problems as well. Players are currently unable to redeem their Digital Edition bonuses. There are also instances where a few have been unable to obtain their Server Slam Twitch drops. These problems should hopefully subside quickly, but there are a few workarounds you can try out.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:47 PM
Marathon is now live on PC and consoles, but many players appear to be missing the sponsored kits and rewards they were supposed to receive as part of the recent Twitch Drops campaign.
The campaign took place earlier last week during the Server Slam, which allowed everyone to have an early taste of the core gameplay. If you manage to watch the Twitch streams for the required milestones, you'll receive different rewards to kickstart your journeys.
However, you're not alone if you're missing the rewards (despite watching the streams for the required durations).
How to get your Marathon Server Slam Twitch Drops rewards
Assuming you've watched the required number of hours, the rewards will be automatically available in your in-game inbox. You must be using the same account that you used during the Server Slam, and it must have had drops enabled.
If the rewards are still missing, it's due to the time being taken by Bungie to distribute the rewards. In the official explainer, Bungie has explained that it may take up to 48 hours for your rewards to arrive. Once it arrives, you'll have until March 31 to redeem the rewards.
Hence, you don't need to worry if you have already watched the streams for the required number of hours. Your rewards will automatically turn up once Bungie has completed the distribution process. However, expect to wait for at least a few hours, if not more, if they haven't arrived.
Here's a quick rundown of what you're eligible for if you have watched the streams for four hours or more.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:32 PM
The Thunder Strike Evolution is now live in FC 26, and you can use it to create some amazing chains for future upgrades.
Available for free, you can use the evolution up to six times. You can use it multiple times on the same card or upgrade different cards. Let's look at the best possible candidates for this evolution based on the offered requirements and upgrades.
Table of contents
FC 26 Thunder Strike Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements of Re-Enforced Evolution in FC 26.
FC 26 Thunder Strike Evolution upgrades
The evolution has two levels of upgrades, each with certain conditions to fulfill.
Level 1 upgrades
Level 2 upgrades
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Best players to use in Thunder Strike Evolution
Here are some of my best recommendations for inclusion in the evolution.
This is a pretty interesting evolution if you have plans for creating some exciting chains. The boosts are alright, and the new playstyles will fit into the current meta of the game. Your aim is to use the evolved cards in more evolutions to further boost their in-game stats.
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Destructoid Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:22 PM
Marathon is now live on PC and consoles, and you can change a fair amount of settings on the former platform to get the best out of your hardware.
Things are looking pretty well-optimized on the first day of launch. However, you still make a few more tweaks to get the smoothest gameplay, minus any lag or stutter.
Best Marathon graphics settings
Before I deep dive into the best settings, here's my current system.
Here are my current settings that I am using for the game.
A few pointers to note about the settings.
That's about the best video settings you can use in Marathon right now. Things could change once Bungie collects the feedback and drops some post-launch patches for PC.
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WGB Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:32 PM Asha Sharma, Xbox's new CEO, announced the next-gen console codenamed Project Helix via a tweet. This hybrid console will run both Xbox and PC games, with more details expected at GDC next week. |
WGB Thursday, March 5, 2026 1:16 PM Build A Rocket Boy announced a third round of layoffs, citing external factors like espionage and sabotage as challenges. Co-CEO Mark Gerhard expressed regret while detailing ongoing legal investigations linked to these claims. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Thursday, March 5, 2026 6:24 PM Posted on Twitter. The post Xbox Next-Gen Console Project Helix Announced appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
iDev Games Feed Thursday, March 5, 2026 4:22 PM Stock market battle royale FPS. Fight players as stocks affect your health. Buy, trade, and shoot your way to the top. Play now!... |