GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 5:48 PM Turning things on their head, YummyYummyTummy and PM Studios have released a new Steam Next Fest demo for the aptly named Table Flip Simulator. The post Table Flip Simulator Steam Next Fest Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 5:16 PM Just in time for Steam Next Fest, an expanded demo of Mana Core Game Studios' fantasy visual novel Utopia: Birth of the Heroes is now available. The post Fantasy Visual Novel Utopia: Birth of the Heroes Steam Next Fest Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 2:03 PM Serving up a new demo just in time for Steam Next Fest, players can now get a taste of Timberline Studios' Beastro on Steam. The post Cozy Cooking Adventure Beastro Steam Next Fest Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 12:10 PM Set in a world on the brink of endless night, solo developer Lunoland and Joystick Ventures have released a new demo for their roguelite collectible card game Dark Cards of Candlewood. The post Roguelite Collectible Card Game Dark Cards of Candlewood Steam Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 12:10 PM Players will be able to embrace the darkness, seek vengeance, and summon the Goddess with the new Steam Next Fest demo for TLR Games and Joystick Ventures' Runeomicon. The post Dark Fantasy Ritual Runeomicon Steam Next Fest Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, February 23, 2026 12:09 PM Combining turn-based tactics with real time action, Effort Star, Joystick Ventures, and Gamirror Games have released a new Steam Next Fest demo for their turn-based bullet hell roguelike Enter the Chronosphere. The post Enter the Chronosphere Steam Next Fest Demo Live appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 5:45 PM  I have so many more questions than answers |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 4:45 PM  Bungie's shooter will take a stricter approach to cheating |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 4:28 PM  MrBeast, Geoff Keighley, and the might of Amazon couldn't make anyone care about King of Meat |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 3:26 PM  In 2001 pharmacy shelves were greeted with a gorgeous Amano cover. That wasn't necessarily the plan. |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 2:30 PM  Piece by Piece is a super-smart, super-cute puzzle game of jigsaw platforming |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 2:00 PM  No one wants to be in the deckbuilding roguelike juggernaut's way on Steam |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 1:42 PM  Cloud's hair is just to much for Nintendo's console and modern rendering tech |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 12:07 PM  Ubisoft has picked three developers with a long history on Assassin's Creed to lead its future at Vantage Studios |
Kotaku Monday, February 23, 2026 11:59 AM  The Switch ports of the GBA games have people debating game prices again |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 4:05 PM King of Meat proclaimed itself to be "everyone's favorite party-platforming game" before it launched, but it struggled to stick the landing. |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 3:04 PM That Black Flag remake might be deep at the bottom of the ocean, but the producer of the original release is now heading the AC franchise. |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 2:02 PM After multiple strategy game hits, this team is bringing seamless space travel to SpaceCraft, an original online interplanetary trading sim. |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 1:30 PM Anyone who doesn't stop during FF14's iconic Stasis Loop bop better get used to being whacked with a bunch of debuffs for their failures. |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 1:00 PM As Steam Decks sell out due to rocketing RAM prices and Xbox seemingly damns the Game Pass experiment, how will we play games in the future? |
PCGamesN Monday, February 23, 2026 12:13 PM Bungie reveals its anti-cheat plans for Marathon, including a zero-tolerance approach to bad actors that feels like a snipe at Arc Raiders. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 23, 2026 12:47 PM  Helix: Descent N Ascent sounds like it should be a mascot platformer starring a jaunty DNA molecule with floating Rayman hands, whose special power is making stuff go up and down. Up and down the evolutionary ladder, even! A platform game in which you can evolve and devolve your character at will, to solve different puzzles? Good lord, we'll make one million dollars out of this! Somebody get me the CEO of Midway. Alas for my career prospects, Midway is no more. And Helix is not a mascot platformer, probably to its benefit. As revealed by the new Steam demo, it's a slow and atmospheric puzzler in which you investigate a fallen civilisation, while chasing your doppelganger. You being a lanky Area-51-looking lad, who acquires paranormal powers and must weave them into solutions for terrain puzzles of the Pressure Plate N Lever variety. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 23, 2026 12:43 PM  A trio of long-time Assassin's Creed developers will lead the series into its "next era" now that it's under the umbrella of Vantage Studios, Ubisoft's new sub-company partly funded by Tencent. Martin Schelling, Jean Guesdon, and François de Billy are being handed the reins. |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, February 23, 2026 11:17 AM  Earlier this month, Epic Games Store shyly announced that their free game giveaways are having "a measurable halo effect across the broader PC ecosystem", increasing the sales of those games on Steam during the offer period. New Blood Interactive's Dave Oshry has made the same argument a bit less sympathetically: boosting the profile of games already on Steam is the only reason to release anything on the Epic Games Store, even given Epic's more generous developer revenue share, because EGS sucks. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 5:00 PM
Crunchyroll revealed the four anime series that will be part of the March 16, 2026 Anime Nights, and both Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World Season 4 and Witch Hat Atelier will be part of the screening ahead of their streaming debut. Both Fandango and Cineplex are already taking pre-orders for the two-hour event. Fandango is also offering a Sneak Peek Pin Bundle for $25 that includes a ticket and Hime pin.
In the case of the event, it lasts for two hours. You get to see one new episode of four anime series that will debut fully on Crunchyroll in April 2026. All of them will be in Japanese with English subtitles. This is a one-day event, so people who can't make it that day won't be able to catch it later. It also seems there's only one showing that day, which seems to be around 7pm local time.
Here are the four shows that will get sneak peeks at the event:
As for the Fandango Crunchyroll Anime Nights pin bundle, that gets you a promo code that can be used for a ticket at a participating theater taking part in the event and the pin. Teaser art shows the Hime mascot for the company with fox ears and a tail. While you get the code right away, the pin will ship later.
Here's the official art for that bundle.
Official trailers for all four of the shows that will be at the showings are already live. First, here's the one for Daemons of the Shadow Realm.
This is what Drops of God looks like:
The next Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World season trailer doesn't seem to show any major spoilers, so it's safe to watch if you aren't caught up.
Finally, here's the Crunchyroll streaming trailer for Witch Hat Atelier.
Crunchyroll Anime Nights will take place in the US and Canada at select theaters on March 16, 2026, and it will involve Daemons of the Shadow Realm, The Drops of God, Re:ZERO - Starting Life in Another World, and Witch Hat Atelier.
The post Re:Zero and Witch Hat Atelier at March Crunchyroll Anime Nights appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 4:00 PM
Takara Tomy announced its latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons capsule toy is a set of watches that will appear in gashapon machines. They will start rolling out in Japan this week. Each try will cost 400円 (~$2.60), and you'll get one watch randomly per pull.
There are five watches in this set, and each one is based on certain NPC characters who appear in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. All of them are digital watches, with a cover that features an insignia with imagery tied to the characters they represent. The watchband is apparently about nine inches long (23cm).
Here's the list of characters who appear:
There's also an official photo that shows all five of the designs. You can see that below:
This is the second recent piece of Animal Crossing: New Horizons merchandise to appear in the last few months. Back in November 2025, Re-Ment released a set of Happy Room dioramas based on the game. More recently, the aquarium event will return to Japan and the US in 2026.
The Animal Crossing: New Horizons watches will appear in gashapon machines in Japan as a capsule toy starting the week of February 23, 2026, and the game is available on both the Switch and Switch 2.
The post Animal Crossing Watches Capsule Toys Appear in Japan appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 3:00 PM
Cygames announced that a new Career scenario called Beyond Dreams will appear on the Japanese server of Umamusume: Pretty Derby as part of the fifth anniversary celebration. It will focus on training your Umamusume to run in the Breeders' Cup. It'll go live on February 24, 2026. Given the delay between the Japanese and global release, we don't know when it will appear worldwide.
The short trailer for the scenario on the Pakatube YouTube channel gives some more details about the storyline. Whereas most Career scenarios in Umamusume: Pretty Derby give you three years with your trainee, Beyond Dreams will only last two and a half years. This is similar to how the L'Arc scenario (in which your trainee runs in Umamusume version of France's Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe) has a shorter schedule.
Here's the full video:
Like Aoharu, Beyond Dreams will have a team training alongside your trainee. Levelling both up is key to building a strong Umamusume, and you can level up your training at specific points of the career. According to reviewers who've already previewed the scenario, "Beyond Dreams" will focus on building SPD, with 2100 being the new cap. However, you'll still have to balance out a trainee's SPD with her other stats.
Existing Umamusume with Scenario Links will be Loves Only You and Espoir City. The scenario will also feature new Umamusume Marche Lorraine, Red Desire, and Forever Young. The voice actresses for the yet-unplayable characters are:
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is available on the PC and mobile devices, and the new Beyond Dreams Career scenario will come out on the Japanese server on February 24, 2026. The original anime is on Crunchyroll, and the Cinderella Gray one is on Amazon.
The post Umamusume Gets New Beyond Dreams Career Scenario appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 2:00 PM
Square Enix announced that the Square Enix Account system tied to the Final Fantasy MMORPG entries FFXI and FFXIV will no longer ask players for or use a security question and answer. It shared the update on the official sites for both games. This means the verification detail will be gone as of February 24, 2026. This also comes ahead of The Doll Festival and the Little Ladies' Day events in the titles.
There's nothing any FFXI or FFXIV player with a Square Enix Account needs to do ahead of the security question and answer removal. This will be handled by the company. You'll also no longer need to remember it. Going forward, that also won't come up during account creation. Instead, two-factor authentication options like a security token, software authenticator, or software token are recommended.
As for the returning Hinamatsuri holiday events, The Doll Festival in FFXI and Little Ladies' Day in FFXIV both start on February 26, 2026. In the older game, you can take part in events to get Bonbori, Festival Dolls, and different types of rice cakes until March 9, 2026. In the more recent of the two MMORPGs, you can get Cheer Rhythm emotes, Oversized Neotunic tops, a "Sweet Dreamer's Melody" Orchestrion Roll, wall-mounted Little Ladies' Day MMXVIII Advertisement, and a Weeping Cherry Tree furnishing until March 12, 2026.
Final Fantasy XI is available for PCs, FFXIV is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Square Enix Account security question and answer will no longer be used as of February 24, 2026.
The post FFXI and FFXIV Square Enix Account Security Question and Answer Removed appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 1:00 PM
Square Enix announced the 2.5 Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis anniversary event will start on February 28, 2026, and it noted Tifa Lockheart and the original FFVII Sephiroth will each get new weapons and gear costumes for the occasion. These will also be a The Weapon Showdown: Battle for the Planet event and a number of in-game giveaways.
In terms of rewards, Square Enix released an official image with a list of everything folks will get for logging in and participating. Here's what will be doled out:
There will also be a 2.5 Draw Ticket Login Bonus and Medal Exchange.
As for the Tifa and Sephiroth gear costumes and weapons for the FFVII Ever Crisis 2.5 anniversary event, we don't know exactly what skills they possess or how they work. However, initial teaser footage of them using attacks in-action appeared during the announcement video. It also confirmed hers is called Festive Style and his will be Conqueror of the Planet. Additional equipment sets for other characters were confirmed too.
Here's how those two outfits will look:
Here's the full trailer for the 2.5 FFVII Ever Crisis anniversary, which includes teasers for The Weapon Showdown: Battle for the Planet and Tifa and Sephiroth costumes.
Prior to this upcoming update, the biggest addition to FFVII Ever Crisis in 2026 involved a Dirge of Cerberus event. It started to look at the beginning of the spin-off set after the events of the original game and focusing on Vincent Valentine and Deepground Tsviets.
Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is available on the PC and mobile devices, and The Weapon Showdown: Battle for the Planet FFVII event and 2.5 anniversary kicks off on February 28, 2026.
The post 2.5 FFVII Ever Crisis Anniversary Features Tifa and Sephiroth Costumes appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, February 23, 2026 12:00 PM
Bandai Namco confirmed the Fate/Grand Order (FGO) 30 Minutes Sisters (30MS) model kit of Altria Caster (aka Artoria Caster) will debut in Japan on February 28, 2026. The Bandai Spirits Amazon Store isn't showing a listing for her among the other kits yet, but Big Bad Toy Store does show a sold out pre-order page with an expected May 2026 North American update. She will cost 5,060 円 (~$32.80).
Like all 30MS model kits, when you get the FGO Altria Caster, you're actually building an articulated character. She is based on her Stage 2 ascension. This means she can carry the Staff of Selection and has a removable cape and hat. The kit also has three face plates, with one of her smiling and looking to the left, one of her yelling, and one of her with a comically angry expression. Based on my past experience with kits this line, you don't need glue or paint. However, it is helpful to have nippers and tweezers, as some of the decals and parts are extremely delicate.
Here are some of the first photos of the finished kit, as well as the official box art.
To compare, here's Aniplex's official video of the character in FGO.
The 30MS Fate/Grand Order Altria Caster model kit will launch on February 28, 2026, and FGO is available on mobile devices worldwide.
The post 30MS Fate/Grand Order Altria Caster Model Kit Launches appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 2:31 PM
Every few weeks, Call of Duty adds a free playable event for players to rank up and earn rewards in, and this latest one is very Zombies-flavored.
The Dead Ops Arcade 4 event beginning on Feb. 26 is all about the special Zombies mode, Dead Ops Arcade, celebrating its fourth iteration in Black Ops 7. If you've never battled the Cosmic Silverback, this event is for you, and there's more than a dozen rewards to grab for free while doing so.
Here's all the info you need on the Black Ops 7 season two event, Dead Ops Arcade 4.
BO7 Dead Ops Arcade 4 event - Challenges and rewards
BO7's Dead Ops Arcade 4 event is another leaderboard event in CoD, meaning you will need to place high on a pre-determined leaderboard in order to unlock all of the items you can acquire. There are 13 total rewards across the whole event.
This specific leaderboard event requires playing Dead Ops Arcade 4, the top-down twinstick shooter variant of Zombies that was first introduced way back in Black Ops 1. You climb the leaderboards by getting high scores in the arcade-like mode, and here's what you can get depending on leaderboard placement:
In addition to the leaderboard, there are lifetime event rewards to unlock by completing event challenges and racking up score in the DOA4 mode:
BO7's Dead Ops Arcade 4 event begins on Feb. 26 at 11am CT.
The post All challenges and rewards in Black Ops 7 Dead Ops Arcade 4 event appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 2:12 PM
We are all set to get the first taste of Marathon with the coming Server Slam event, and it will have crossplay and cross-save support from the get-go.
These two features will be fundamental parts of the full game when it launches later on March 5. Let's look at how the two systems work, and how you can make the most of them on your adventures.
Table of contents
How does crossplay work in Marathon
Crossplay in Marathon ensures that you can play with your buddies regardless of the platforms they're on. There will be full crossplay support between PC and console, allowing you to bridge the gap.
Crossplay will likely be turned on by default if we look at Bungie's other hit title, Destiny 2. There should be a feature to opt out of crossplay in Marathon. For that, we will need to have the full version in our hands.
Naturally, crossplay should result in quicker matchmaking since you'll be in a larger player pool. Do note that you can also opt to play with a controller on PC if you want.
How does cross-save work in Marathon
Cross-save in Marathon will enable you to transfer your progress between multiple platforms. This feature will be required if you plan to play Marathon on a PC and console interchangeably. If you connect your Bungie account with the platforms, you can enjoy shared progress. Otherwise, you'll have to grind on two separate platforms (which always feels like a chore to me).
Moreover, cross-save will also allow you to carry over your in-game purchases across platforms. This is immensely useful since buying the same cosmetic twice makes no sense at all. This also applies to all cosmetics that you unlock through in-game grind. Overall, I have really enjoyed this feature on ARC Raiders, and looking forward to it on Marathon as well.
The post How does crossplay and cross-save work in Marathon appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 1:39 PM
Just days ago, former Xbox president Sarah Bond seemed destined to eventually take the reins of the company following Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer's eventual retirement. Now, she's basically become the face of the console's failures.
A new report by The Verge's Tom Warren cites "more than a dozen current and former" employees from Microsoft claiming that Bond being passed over for new promotee Asha Sharma "felt inevitable" in recent months.
Last week, Xbox announced that both Spencer and Bond were gone from the company, with Sharma (a former Microsoft AI executive) taking over the former's role. And according to Warren's sources, it's Bond who wore out her welcome alongside Spencer's plans to retire, taking shape over the past year or so.
Warren's sources say that Bond was the driving force behind the company's weird "This is an Xbox" ad campaign that basically talked people out of buying Xbox consoles and instead play their games on TVs, handhelds, phones, other consoles besides Xbox, and everything else in between. Warren said that this strategy "offended many Xbox employees internally" and helped to sour her perception amongst peers.
Xbox's strategy to pivot away from the console was "led by Bond, under Spencer's direction," according to Warren. And it definitely has not panned out well for the company, as hardware sales have declined. Warren also said that most "current and former Xbox employees I've spoken to in recent days are relieved that Bond is leaving Microsoft."
Now, Sharma and her AI-driven background are at the wheel of the gaming brand, and that's enough to cause even more concern within the company. The fear now inside the company is that Sharma (along with Microsoft's famously AI-bullish CEO Satya Nadella) will "force AI into everything Xbox does," and potentially lead to more layoffs at the company that's already suffered several rounds of departures.
Personally, I feel like it's hard to place blame entirely on Bond for Xbox's shortcomings over the past few years. She was a part of the problem, sure, but this news coming out today, shortly following her departure from the company, feels a bit like scapegoating to me.
"I understand that Bond's strategy had been failing internally and been questioned multiple times," Warren said in the report. "Bond had tried to push mobile and cloud over console, to reach potentially millions more Xbox customers, but the result has been a classic case of chasing tomorrow's customers by neglecting today's."
Where Xbox goes from here, I'm not sure. It will be a difficult road to repair what's happened over the past few years, but all eyes will be on Sharma and Microsoft Gaming EVP Matt Booty in the coming months to see if the brand can make a comeback.
The post New report places blame for Xbox failures on Sarah Bond amid massive leadership changes last week appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 1:30 PM
The Going on an Adventure Evolution has arrived in FC 26, and with it, you can upgrade one of your LBs in Ultimate Team.
The evolution offers some decent stat boosts to your chosen card, and it's available for free. Let's look at the best choices based on the requirements and the offered upgrades.
Table of contents
FC 26 Going on an Adventure Evolution requirements
Here are the requirements for the Going on an Adventure Evolution in FC 26.
FC 26 Going on an Adventure Evolution upgrades
The evolution has five levels of upgrades, each with certain conditions to fulfill.
Level 1 upgrades
Level 2 upgrades
Level 3 upgrades
Level 4 upgrades
Level 5 upgrades
Level 1 upgrade requirements
Level 2 upgrade requirements
Level 3 upgrade requirements
Level 4 upgrade requirements
Level 5 upgrade requirements
Best players to use in Going on an Adventure Evolution
Here are some of my best recommendations for inclusion in the evolution.
There are two major issues with this evolution. The cap on the defense feels pretty strange given we are in the last week of February. Secondly, this evolution should have allowed 87-rated cards. That would have raised the scope for completing the evolution. Since it's free, you should aim to create some nice chains.
The post Best players for FC 26 Going on an Adventure Evolution appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 12:28 PM
Thirty years later, we still gotta catch 'em all. And I can't wait to catch this Friday's Pokémon Presents, which should be full of some juicy new info.
Pokémon Day is an annual event on Feb. 27, marking the franchise's anniversary, but the 2026 edition marks 30 years of the franchise, so everyone is expecting the company to go all-out with announcements and news.
While a reveal for the 10th generation of Pokémon games feels imminent, nothing is guaranteed, and there's a lot that could go unmentioned. There's also a chance for some fun surprises. Either way, here's what we hope and predict will happen to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the beloved series.
Table of contents
Pokémon Day 2026 wishlist and predictions
Gen10 reveal
While a bulk of info about the next generation of Pokémon unfortunately leaked last year, there's still so much we don't know. Rumored to be titled Pokémon Wind and Waves, the 10th generation of the franchise is said to take place in a tropical climate and feature a graphical overhaul.
While also not confirmed, Gen10 should be coming sometime in 2026, so now is as good a time as any to confirm the news while teasing some potential info, like the three new starters. There's plenty of time between now and the assumed fall release date for some more presentations to deep dive into what's to come, but a reveal of the next big entry in the franchise has to happen on this year's Pokémon Day.
I doubt we will get a release date alongside the reveal, but a potential release window alongside footage would be nice.
More LEGO Pokémon reveals
The first few LEGO Pokémon sets are launching on Pokémon Day alongside the presentation, but several other SKUs have been leaked, including a wave of sets coming this summer. Some teasers or confirmations behind those leaks would continue to drum up excitement for the 30th anniversary.
Classic Pokémon on Nintendo Switch Online
With FireRed and LeafGreen confirmed as separate $20 purchases, I think a showing of good faith (however unrealistic) from TPC and Nintendo would be confirmation of OG Pokémon games coming to Nintendo Switch Online. This would be a nice announcement to offset anyone annoyed by the GBA releases being standalone purchases.
Imagine the original Pokémon Red and Blue, or Yellow, and maybe even Gold and Silver coming to NSO's Game Boy Nintendo Classics. They are sorely missing from the current collection, and it still feels like a massive misstep to not include them somehow.
Pokémon Champions update
Just what is going on with Pokémon Champions? The new battle-centric title is set to be the de facto game for the Pokémon World Championships starting in 2026, so some more details about the game and potentially even its release date seem likely.
New Pokémon Pokopia details
The next big Pokémon game up for release is the Animal Crossing-like Pokémon Pokopia, launching next week on March 5. I'd expect a new trailer, some new gameplay, and maybe even further announcements about potential post-launch content.
Pokémon HOME expansion
The addition of Pokémon Legends: Z-A to the existing possible roster of Pokémon HOME compatibility seems inevitable, and could highlight a small section of the show dedicated to the most recently released title.
TCG scalper protection
The Pokémon TCG situation has gone critical with scalpers ruining the experience for players, and more importantly, younger children trying to collect as a hobby. Some sort of acknowledgement of the problem and maybe even news on how the company is looking to help avoid the hobby's ruination by scalpers would be a welcome addition to the presentation.
What are you hoping to see at the Pokémon Day presentation this Friday? Let us know in the comments below.
The post Get your 30th anniversary Pokémon predictions in now – what do you want to see on Pokémon Day 2026? appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 12:27 PM
ARC Raiders' newest update hits tomorrow, and it's genuinely looking like a good reason to hop back into the game if you've tapered off, judging by new info released today.
Along with the new Hurricane map condition that will introduce new strategies to deal with, Embark Studios confirmed that two new deadly ARC threats are being added to ARC Raiders as part of the Shrouded Sky update launching tomorrow: the Firefly and the Comet.
Embark Studios says that the Firefly is "a floating nightmare" and "an armored flying machine that emits a jet of flame, burning your Raider to a crisp unless you can move quickly or find cover." The Comet, meanwhile, is "a spherical ARC machine that calmly patrols the surface until it comes across an unsuspecting Raider."
"You better not let this one get too close - once it sees you, it will lock on with a frightening focus before exploding with a seismic boom," the devs teased.
The Shrouded Sky update, heftier than the previous one that hit the game last month, will also add a new Project called Weather Monitoring. This means collecting and contributing materials "to build the features of the system, and earn your Raider some rewards in the process." But there's also new cosmetic bundles, a new free Raider Deck to rank up, and a new map update for Dam Battlegrounds.
"A high-security area in Dam Battlegrounds has been uncovered," the dev teased. "The Controlled Access Zone is a high-value loot area that's just waiting to be explored - you'll know you've arrived when you see the Rocketeer chandelier."
Whether it's inclement weather, two new AI enemies to contend with, or several cosmetics to grind for, Shrouded Sky seems like the first real, substantial update to ARC Raiders since Stella Montis joined the fray last November.
The post ARC Raiders players, prepare for 2 new mechanical threats: the Firefly and Comet, arriving tomorrow appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 12:08 PM
Luna V update for Genshin Impact is almost here, and it goes live in just a couple of days from writing.
The upcoming update will have plenty of new content for players to explore, and routine server maintenance will occur before you can access the new content. This guide will help you keep track of the upcoming maintenance and when you can enjoy the update.
Table of contents
Genshin Impact Luna V update release countdown
Luna V goes live on Wednesday, Feb. 25. However, it's on Feb. 24 if you're located in the United States. The following countdown will expire once the update is available on all platforms across all servers.
The countdown is based on the following times.
The times are based on the usual schedule followed by miHoYo when it comes to major Genshin Impact updates. An important point to note: the countdown is aimed at when the server maintenance will be over. The maintenance will begin five hours before the above-mentioned timings.
Once the maintenance begins, all servers will be off. You won't be able to log in and play (irrespective of your region and platform). The end of the maintenance will automatically mark the start of the new update.
How to pre-install Luna V in Genshin Impact
While there's still some time left for the Luna V update to go live, you can pre-install the required files. While the pre-download is partial in nature, it allows you to save time when the update goes on Feb. 25. If you're on PC, you can pre-install it from the HoYo Play Launcher. If you're on the phone, you can choose to download it from the Pre-Install Resource Package icon in the left corner of the main menu.
The post Genshin Impact Luna V update release countdown: Exact date and time appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 11:51 AM
If you want to learn all there is to know about Lily Lovebraids and Prototype's Kryptonite in Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5, then you'd best have your collectible cap on. We've got notes to find.
Here are all the notes in Poppy Playtime: Broken Things.
Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 note locations
We currently have 29/35 notes. All notes are shown in chronological order, including the specific main and sub objectives you can find them in.
This article is a work in progress
An Intercepted Communique
Turn around after falling from the ventilation shaft following the first Huggy Wuggy chase in this chapter. You can grab the note behind you as soon as the game saves.
Inventory - September '95
As soon as this objective shows, use the boxes in this room by pulling with both GrabPack hands to create a staircase into the cubby on the top-right corner of this room. The area you're trying to reach is lit with a yellow hue, and in the opposite direction of where you're supposed to go.
Wrongside Outimal Branding Note
Turn on the power in the Outimals area to use the spotlights and scare away any twisted creatures in your search for Glowby (the flashlight). You will climb over a short section where Outimals are talking to one another about your arrival. Drop down and turn left, past an Outimal in a Playtime cardboard box they've labelled 'Home.' Go through the door at the end and look to the left to find the note on the floor beside a crib.
Giblet's Checklist
Pick this note up off Giblet's bed after he's told you about the Boiler Room. His bed is marked with the number '21.'
The Better Press, Issue 14
This note is also in Giblet's home, on a workshop table near the Doey the Doughman circle rug.
Lab Report: Medium Growth & Plantlife
When a new objective appears to explore the Biodiversity Labs, the note is near one of the overgrown Growths that resembles tree branches and roots at the start of this section (following the platforming puzzle inside the elevator shafts).
Reminder
You will enter the vents after picking up the last note, and this drops you into a room of whiteboards. The note is on the whiteboard next to a plate of Limons.
Dr. Arkins Personal Letter 1
Find this note after you used the Pressure Hand on the Medium Growths and went through the decontamination chamber. Check the cubicle on the right in the small office space in this new area.
GrabPack Hands Rejection
When the objective 'Search the Engineering Workshop' appears, go forward after exiting the decontamination chamber until you are at the back of the room and on the opposite side of the door you entered through. Go past the two shelving units to pick up the note in the corner of this room.
Master Backup? and Negation Compound Presentation
Unlock the locker with code 5 6 0 to get both the Master Backup? and Negation Compound Presentation (six pages) for seven notes total.
Letter to Leith #1
This note is basically on the other side of the room where you picked up the Master Backup? files. It is off-limits on the side you start in, as the red door is jammed. So use the new magnetic feature to latch onto the metal plates and reach the other side of the walkway. Find the note on metal before entering the next decontamination chamber.
To Whomever Finds This
Enter the open elevator shaft and peer into the other side to pick up the Playtime power bank. Go to the left of the Pressure Hand lever puzzle and insert the bank into the wall in the corridor that has a red light over the doorframe. This unlocks a small room with the note inside.
in the Conditioning Observations
Go to the open blue door to enter the observation rooms disguised as children's bedrooms. Open the blue door inside the room with a kiddie pool, then the yellow door, and look at the ground in front of the teacher's desk to find this note.
Letter to Leith #2
Watch every Ms. Gracie recording in the projector rooms to unlock and use fire with the Conductor Hand. The Memory is on the desk in the room behind the Lovebraids' bow on the upper floor of the projector rooms. Grab the note on the floor behind the desk.
Observation: Lily
This note is behind the Memory machine, directly in front of the door you're trying to unlock by entering three separate simulations of Huggy Wuggy's memories.
Dr. Arkins Personal Letter 2
This note is on the little shelving unit at the back of Huggy Wuggy's arena, where the furthest Playtime power bank is stored. You need to turn on the projector in the back room (opposite one of the safe rooms) to get Huggy Wuggy to break the wall, as the door to reach this power bank is locked. The room I'm referring to has a Collectible in a locker on the other side of the wall.
Experiment 1468 Proposal
Explore the ground floor of Lovebraids' home and enter the vent in the corridor before her garage. The note is on the whiteboard in the room on the other side of the vents.
Observation Log: Sweet Street
Go upstairs in Lovebraids' home and enter the corridor to the right of the double doors that are blocked off by her hair. Go into the first room on the right, which has a one-way window looking at the music room. The note is on the counter.
Nursery Damage
Upstairs in Lovebraids' home, enter the room to the right of the double doors blocked off by hair, and go to the end of the corridor to pick up the note on the table at the dead-end.
Music Sheet - Novice
On the bookcase inside Lily Lovebraids' music room on the second floor.
Dr. Arkins Personal Letter 3
All blue doors in this area are locked (Innovation Wing, Molecular Microscope, and Proliferation). You need to climb into the upper floor full of debris, to the left of the Molecular Microscope door, where you'll drop down into a workshop with chemistry pots, a pressure lever, and sliding doors activated with the GrabPack red and blue hands. You need to find the four-digit code from scraps of paper in this room, but the next note is here, too.
Experiment Notes
This is in the same room as Dr. Arkins Personal Letter 3, where you need a four-digit code to leave the room. The note is in the back-left corner.
L.P. Journal Entry
The final note is at the back of the IT server room. Make sure you check this entire room before activating the backup on the computer in this room (where Giblet is waiting for you), otherwise the game will end. You can always pick this up after finishing the game by clicking 'Continue' in the main menu.
The post All Poppy Playtime: Chapter 5 notes and where to find them appeared first on Destructoid. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Destructoid Monday, February 23, 2026 11:12 AM
Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon will be open to all players for its server slam later this week, and the developer is already starting the "ongoing conversation" about the game's security.
There isn't an online game in 2026 without hackers and cheaters, and in a title like Marathon where progress is tied to successfully extracting with good loot, losing to someone aimbotting or wall-hacking will always sting a bit more.
Today, Bungie revealed some of what it has planned for networking and security protection to avoid these scenarios as much as possible, including a vow that "anyone found to be cheating or developing cheats will be permanently banned from playing Marathon forever, no second chances."
Several layers of protection against hacking and cheating include dedicated server networking, a fog of war system that "runs on the game server to limit the regions of a map that players have knowledge of, based on what they should be able to sense in their surroundings," client security, and even connection recovery for unfortunate disconnects.
"When you are in the middle of a high-stakes run, losing your network connection can lead to a life-or-death situation," Bungie said in a new blog post. "If you crash or get disconnected, your shell will remain in the game world and can be protected by your crew. Restart your network connection if needed and launch back into the game to reconnect to your shell and complete your run."
As is usually the case with any evolving online game, the battle against cheaters begins on day one and will continue over time, with Bungie warning that "no system is perfect so we will have an appeals system to monitor for any issues in detection."
"Networking and security will be an ongoing conversation with the Marathon community," Bungie said. "We are committed to making your experiences on Tau Ceti IV fun, engaging, and fair. We will be continuously monitoring the live game and will make frequent updates and investments to our network technologies and security measures."
Marathon launches for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X on March 5, but everyone can try it out for free during the server slam this weekend, beginning on Feb. 26.
The post Bungie promises hard anti-cheat crackdown in Marathon: 'No second chances for cheaters' appeared first on Destructoid. |
WGB Monday, February 23, 2026 5:25 PM Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is a retro NES-style 2D action game by Lillymo Games, featuring ex-soldier Rudiger battling a corrupt priest in 17th-century Europe, launching on April 20 for multiple platforms. |
WGB Monday, February 23, 2026 3:31 PM Greg Miller suggested Phil Spencer's retirement was forced by Microsoft, but Tom Warren confirmed it was Spencer's prior decision. The announcement chaos revealed internal tensions and leadership changes at Xbox. |
Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Monday, February 23, 2026 11:15 AM Announced on social media. The post Nintendo Treehouse: Live Featuring Pokémon Pokopia And Super Mario Bros. Wonder Announced appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism. |
MonsterVine Monday, February 23, 2026 3:00 PM Follow the story of a woman's life from childhood through old age, presented in an entirely text-free format. Dear me, I was… Developer: Arc System Works Price: $8 Platform: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch (reviewed), PC, Android, iOS MonsterVine was supplied with a Switch code for review. I was curious about Dear Me, I Was […] |
MonsterVine Monday, February 23, 2026 12:00 PM Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties does lose a few things in the process of remaking the underrated Yakuza 3, but the added content and more refined combat system make this a thoroughly enjoyable installment in the series. The story changes are a bit confusing, but being able to play as a villain is a […] |