GamersHeroes Monday, March 30, 2026 7:15 PM Based on the popular anime "I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!" ("A-Rank Party"), Com2uS announced at AnimeJapan 2026 that a game based on the series is now in development. The post A-Rank Party Game Announced appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
GamersHeroes Monday, March 30, 2026 6:42 PM Submissions for the Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Digital Showcase are now open through April 6. The post Day of the Devs X Summer Game Fest Digital Showcase Submissions Open Through April 6 appeared first on GamersHeroes. |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 5:46 PM  Ripping off anime was costing the company a ton |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 5:36 PM  Pitchers, batters, and catchers can now challenge strikes and balls in seconds and it's changing the game overnight |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 5:24 PM  Andy Weir made an ass of himself on a podcast and is trying to backpedal |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 4:15 PM  Turns out, if you want to get your hands on video game beta content, just visit more flea markets |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 3:15 PM  David Anfossi has departed Eidos Montreal amid the massive cuts |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 2:59 PM  The solo dev behind Undertale and Deltarune shed some light on the lack of localization support for his games |
Kotaku Monday, March 30, 2026 2:15 PM  Darkspear Dash seems to be an official endorsement of the fan-created Running of the Trolls LGBTQ charity march |
Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Monday, March 30, 2026 3:55 PM  Amazon's Spring Sale rumbles on, and in its final days in the 'States, it's knocked a staggering 37% off one of the beefier processors in AMD's current lineup - the 12 core/24 thread Ryzen 9 9900X. At $315 from Amazon USA, it's dropped to a new low price from the big online retailer down from a previous price of $370 or thereabouts, although Amazon is stating a bigger 37% discount on its $499 list price. |
Siliconera Monday, March 30, 2026 5:00 PM
Ahead of two The Idolmaster concert performances at the Anime Central 2026 convention in the United States, Bandai Namco opened an official English social media account for the series. This is only available on X at the moment. There are no game-related reveals at the moment, but the Rosemont, Illinois performances are detailed.
Both of The Idolmaster English event performances will take place on May 15, 2026. The general The Idolmaster and The Idolmaster: Cinderella Girls concert time hasn't been shared yet, as the official site for Anime Central said that is still to be worked out. The announcement did confirm it will feature performances by Chihaya Kisaragi, Miki Hoshii, and Takane Shijou from the original game and Miho Kohinata, Rin Shibuya, and Uzuki Shimamura from the mobile follow-up. The Miki Hoshii solo one's image already noted the time it will appear. That will be held at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois at 7:30pm CT on May 15, 2026.
Here is the official art for each of the Anime Central The Idolmaster concerts.
One of the most recent mainline entries for the series is The Idolmaster: Starlit Season. That appeared on the PS4 and PC, however the Steam version is region-locked so people can't buy and play it worldwide.
The two The Idolmaster concerts will be held in Rosemont, Illinois on May 15, 2026.
The post The Idolmaster English Social Media Opens Ahead of US Concerts appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, March 30, 2026 4:00 PM
Final Fantasy XI Producer and Director Yoji Fujito announced that the MMORPG will get an updated tutorial for new players when the FFXI April 2026 Version Update arrives. This will appear alongside a new means of getting Skirmish rewards and updates to make Besieged more challenging. The patch will launch on April 6, 2026.
Fujito didn't offer exact details regarding what will change in the Final Fantasy XI tutorial, but it did mention there will be a quest going over Records of Eminence. When the game launched in 2002 on the PC and PS2, that feature didn't exist. It only showed up in 2013. While there is an in-game tutorial quest known as "First Step Forward," you need to seek it out to start it. Presumably, these new additions will implement it into the initial introduction. Fujito also noted that every FFXI player will be able to redo the tutorial after these changes take effect, as that will be reset on April 6, 2026. New quest reward items will also appear, and the magical map prices will drop. So those won't be 3,000 gil anymore.
As for the Besieged changes in Final Fantasy XI, there are seven changes coming to that feature in the MMORPG. Some of these are adjustments of current characters and behaviors, with our allies, the stronghold monsters, and the Serpent Generals behaving differently. This will also "allow certain monsters to more easily advance towards Serpent Generals." It will also be more challenging for some, as there will be content level 119 supported and level 13 beastmen army opponents. There will also be more reasons to play, as new headgear will appear as accolade exchange rewards. It follows announced updates in January 2026.
As for the Skirmish rewards, people will be able to check in with Oston after the Final Fantasy XI April 2026 update. The NPC will allow someone to trade for items when checking in with him. These will cost Obsidian Fragments. Fujito didn't mention what the exact cost will be, but also said rebalancing will be done to make the things available through him cheaper.
Final Fantasy XI is available for PCs, and the April Version Update will come to FFXI and update the MMORPG tutorial on April 6, 2026.
We may earn a commission if you purchase from certain links. Learn more here.
The post Final Fantasy XI Tutorial Quest Updates Arrive in the MMORPG in April appeared first on Siliconera. |
Siliconera Monday, March 30, 2026 3:00 PM
HoYoVerse teased its next two 2.8 Zenless Zone Zero S-Rank characters, and they will be newcomer Promeia and an upgraded alt for launch A-Rank unit Billy Kid. First art and teaser trailers are live for both of the Agents. We won't see either one until May 2026. The Cunning Hares member has been one of the units often used for marketing and merchandise in the past.
In the case of Starlight Billy, he marks the second S-Rank version of a Cunning Hares character in Zenless Zone Zero, as Anby was the first. However, her alt is part of a different faction known as the Defense Force Silver Squad, while his is still affiliated with Nicole's group. He will still deal physical-type damage when he attacks, but his role switches from Attack to Rupture for this new version.
Here's his new YouTube Short.
Meanwhile, Promeia will be a Krampus Compliance Authority Agent like Banyue, Dialyn, and Zhao. She will fit into the Anomaly role. When she attacks, she'll deal ice-type damage. Her official image seems to show her hands being handcuffed behind her back.
You can see the English teaser for Promeia below.
The two current banners live in Zenless Zone Zero are Angels of Delusion character Nangong Yu and a rerun of Spook Shack's Yidhari. That will be followed by banners for Metropolitan Order Division member Cissia and a Obol Squad Seed rerun on April 15, 2026.
Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, the physical PSP5 and Xbox Series X collector's editions will launch on September 17, 2026, and the Starlight Billy Kid and Promeia banners are expected to appear after the 2.8 update arrives on May 6, 2026.
We may earn a commission if you purchase from certain links. Learn more here.
The post Zenless Zone Zero S-Rank Billy Kid Alt Launches in 2.8 appeared first on Siliconera. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 6:03 PM
The Play It Your Way update has dropped in PEAK, and it completely introduces the way we have played the game so far. If you felt that the general gameplay was a hard challenge, it all changes now. This guide will give you a quick overview of all the major changes and what you can expect from the patch.
Complete PEAK Play It Your Way update patch notes
Here's an overview of all major changes made as part of the new patch.
Custom Runs
You can completely change how runs worked so far in PEAK. You can make them as easy or hard as you want. You can also choose which tools to spawn with and what kind of hazards you can encounter on your run. You can also tweak how the environmental hazards work and how severe/relaxing their effects are.
Mini Runs
If you don't have time for a full-scale adventure, you can try out Mini Runs. They will allow you to play a single biome of the daily map. These quick runs can be quite intense without being unnecessarily long.
Campfire Autosaves
It's now easier to pause and resume our adventures without losing much progress. All you need to do is reach a campfire. You'll be able to save all your progress automatically by accessing a campfire, and you can quit. You can later resume the adventure from the autosave, and this works until you win, lose, or begin a fresh run.
Additionally, you can hang out at a campfire without any hunger or fog progression. It will only extinguish after the scout leaves.
Zombie Phobia mode
If you hated the zombies, you can now disable them completely on Custom Runs. However, you can also use the Zombie Phobia mode to make things less graphic if you want.
Here are some minor changes that are part of this patch.
The post PEAK Play It Your Way update patch notes: Biggest changes and more appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 5:31 PM
Strongbox puzzles in Crimson Desert require you to use your brains to obtain the solution, which allows you to open and obtain whatever rewards they provide. Some of them are part of quests, while the rest can provide you with keys for getting unique weapons.
This guide will give you all the key information for opening these Strongboxes.
Table of contents
How to open all Strongbox puzzles in Crimson Desert
The following sections have all the required information needed for solving the Strongbox puzzles.
Bluemont Manor Strongbox puzzle solution
The Bluemont Manor area has two buildings.
You'll get the Oath of Darkness Earrings and the Fine Crafted Gold Necklace as your rewards.
Hillside Manor Strongbox puzzle solution
Located on the eastern side of Hernand City, you'll need to reach the entrance and then climb the wall to the left. Open the upper window and enter the room where the puzzle can be found. Turn the wheels to align the cylinders in the following order.
You get the Saint's Necklace after opening the puzzle.
Lioncrest Castle Strongbox puzzle solution
Once you find the manor, climb the wall and open the window on the second floor to enter the room (if you have entrance through the main door, that works as well). You have to rotate the squares to complete the picture. Solve the puzzle to get the Engraved Gold Earring.
Hernand Castle Strongbox puzzle solution
Take the archway to the right and climb the stairs to reach the bottom floor of the tower. Next, go up the wooden stairs and open the door. You'll need a normal key to access. Listen to the tune, and replicate it with the buttons in the following order.
You'll get an Engraved Gold Earring for opening this Strongbox.
Mudbridge Cabin Strongbox puzzle solution
Located near the Unreachable Village, the cabin is surrounded by mud. There will be enemies to clear before you can reach the second floor. To solve the Strongbox, you need to move the squares in the following order.
Solving the puzzle grants you a Flower Petal Earring.
Arboria Castle Strongbox puzzle solution
You can find the Arboria Castle in the Hills of No Return. The Strongbox puzzle is inside an abandoned room, and here's how you can solve it.
Reventine Monastery Strongbox puzzle solution
Enter the Reventine Monastery and reach the round courtyard. Take the eastern door and approach the library on the right. Move a bookshelf to expose the hidden room, which has the puzzle. Once again, you have to move six tiles in the following order to open the Strongbox.
You'll be rewarded with the Reventine Monastery Exclusive Document that can be sold for coins.
Western Court Strongbox puzzle solution
The Western Court area typically has enemies around the location. You can either sneak inside or just eliminate all the enemies. Head inside, and go under the curtain next to the stairs on the first floor. Find the basement ladder, move down, and rearrange the six squares in the following order.
Sungrove Manor Strongbox puzzle solution
Go to the second floor of the manor and enter the room that's at the very end of the corridor. To solve the puzzle, you have to rotate individual squares to complete the picture. Since this puzzle is random, you'll have to test it out on your own. Solving the puzzle grants you the Sungrove Manor key.
Azerian Manor Strongbox puzzle solution
This location is close to the Sungrove Manor, and you need to enter the second floor. There will be a fake wall; push it to access the hidden room where the puzzle is located. You'll need to push the button in the following order to rotate the sections and solve the puzzle.
Open the Strongbox, and you'll get the Ancient Earring.
Southern Court Strongbox puzzle solution
You can find the puzzle on the second floor of the Southern Court. There will be enemies that you'll need to clear. The puzzle is in the blue room, and you'll have to press the buttons in the following order to complete the picture.
Opening the box will get you the Witch's Earring.
Stellen Manor Stronbox puzzle solution
The Stellen Manor location has two Stronbox puzzles to find. The first puzzle is located at the top of the tower. You have to align the cylinders by turning the wheels in the following order.
To solve the second puzzle, you can check out this guide, which will reward you with the Stellen Manor Closet key.
The post All Strongbox puzzle locations and solutions in Crimson Desert appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 3:25 PM
The monsters of Lethal Company are certainly getting stranger, and the latest addition, the Backwater Gunkfish, proves just that. This aquatic little guy has found himself on dry land and wants nothing to do with humans.
Here is how to deal with the Backwater Gunkfish in Lethal Company v80.
Table of contents
Where to find the Backwater Gunkfish in Lethal Company
The Backwater Gunkfish commonly appears on forest moons (Adamance, March, and Vow). It lives exclusively inside the facilities and is not limited to one interior, but I have found it most commonly in the Factory and Mineshaft. I have run across a Backwater Gunkfish as often as the Hoarding Bugs. The Gunkfish has a Sting Ray-like appearance with a green and yellow color against its scales and gills. Out of all the v80 monsters, the Gunkfish will be the one you run into most.
Backwater Gunkfish behavior
The Gunkfish is like a mix of the Hygrodere and Spore Lizard. It isn't capable of killing you, nor does it deal any damage. If you disturb the Gunkfish by stepping on or attacking it, it'll squirt green goo at you, much like an Octopus and its ink. The goo blocks your vision temporarily (lasting around five seconds) and leaves slippery residue on the floor from where you disturbed it. Standing on the yellowish green bubbles causes a sliding effect that doesn't stop until you get back on dry land. There is no way to clean the residue, and you can't hire the Butler. While it looks like the Gunkfish imploded, it actually ran away, leaving a trail behind it.
You can identify whether there's a Gunkfish nearby by listening out for a wet slapping sound against the cold tiles inside the facility. These creatures can open doors and are capable of spawning in groups. They often move when you're not watching and stay perfectly still, sometimes on top of mines and scrap, or waiting as a Hygrodere passes it when you encounter them.
Not only do you need to watch where you step in case of death pits, landmines, and turrets, but the Gunkfish will ink you like you're out here playing Mario Kart. The danger of this is that the temporary blindness means you cannot see if something deadly is heading your way (e.g., Bracken, Little Girl, Thumper, Spider, or Coil-Head). You will have to rely on your ears for those few seconds.
You're no safer afterwards, either, for slipping and sliding around the place has its own risks. It can help you dodge and attack a Thumper, but this is a high-risk, high-reward play. It has an equal chance to throw you off the map, and worst of all, the residue can attach onto the metal beam bridging the gap between two platforms, making it virtually impossible to make the jump.
Solutions when dealing with Backwater Gunkfish in Lethal Company
The best and only solution against the Backwater Gunkfish is to leave it alone. Similar to handling the Hygrodere or Spore Lizard, there's no reason to take this guy on. If you leave it alone, it won't shoot ink at you. I've even tried hitting it with a Shovel but alas, it just spat at me and left its green goo all over the floor. If you want to keep the floors clean, then quickly scan the corridor when rounding a corner so you don't accidentally step on its tail. Gunkfish are easily jumpable as they don't like to move when you're looking at them (though their tail does occasionally flick the air).
The post How to deal with Backwater Gunkfish in Lethal Company appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 3:14 PM
Warframe keeps topping itself up, and every new Warframe seems more unique than the last. Follie, however, might take this prize: the Shadowgrapher can create power cells, Lohk Surges, Disruption keys, and other items, and she gets even deadlier with the right build.
Follie's first ability, Forced Perspective, works as a mobility tool and status deleter all in one, letting you teleport into enemies. Let your creativity fly with Shadowgraph while using Self Portrait to keep up high damage reduction, and lift your enemies with Plein Sight to gain some breathing room. Shadowgraph is the star of the show, conjuring all sorts of gameplay items to use in your favor. Arc Traps are the main spammable here, but creativity is essential to making the most of this. Here's the build we've been using with Follie in Warframe.
Best Follie non-Helminth Build in Warframe
This is an all-rounder build that benefits from range and strength, using energy mods to fuel your energy regeneration. We landed on a three-Forma version of this build, though we'll add more budget-friendly versions below.
Follie gets a ton of benefit from ability range, so we started with Overextended and Stretch to cover enemies in Inkblot. This isn't just for her combat skills, but believe it or not, it's also for her passive: ink-stained enemies have a 20 percent chance of dropping health and energy orbs, fueling your survivability and sustain.
Experienced Warframe players know that when the words "health orb" or "energy orb" appear, Equilibrium is not far behind. This mod is a must-have, especially paired with Primed Flow to keep casting your abilities.
Since we have a lot of energy to cast and need a lot of strength to offset the hefty strength penalty from Overextended, we picked Blind Rage and Umbral Intensify. This leaves out a potential flex slot, which can go to Streamline, Adaptation, or something else. We went with Physique for the aura slot due to its polarity, though you can spend another Forma and equip Growing Power instead.
Best Follie budget build in Warframe
If you don't have access to Overextended and/or Blind Rage, plan your build around Equilibrium, Umbral Intensify, Stretch, and Primed Flow. Fill in any gaps from there, using Adaptation/Vitality/Redirection for the Vazarin (D) polarity. Here are a few examples of what it might look like.
This is not the end-all, be-all build for Follie, but it's good enough if you don't have access to rarer mods or can't upgrade her.
Best Follie Helminth build
A Helminth build for Follie isn't too far from our general-use build. In most scenarios, we'd replace Follie's fourth ability, Plein Air. The invulnerability and status cleanse from her first ability are extremely helpful, especially in higher-end content. Subsuming over Shadowgraph takes away the most unique part of Follie's kit, so you might as well play a different frame. And her third ability brings high damage reduction and applies Inkblot, so her fourth is the one to ditch.
Roar is one of the best Helminth options for any Warframe due to its damage potential. You could also go with Nourish for extra energy generation and Viral damage, and these two are easily among the most common contenders in any Helminth build. You could use Precision Intensify instead of Umbral Intensify for the extra bonus from Roar, though we haven't done the math on that.
You don't need Eclipse since Follie's Self Portrait offers better damage reduction, but Pillage or an armor strip could do well. That said, Roar is the gold standard for pure damage, and Follie gets enough utility that she doesn't need to rely on the Helminth system to fill any big gaps.
The post Best Follie builds in Warframe appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 3:01 PM
Part of v80, the Cadaver is the very first real flora threat in Lethal Company. While navigating across environmental hazards is part of the job description, no one said anything about apocalyptic plants growing inside the facility. The threat is ever-growing but thankfully rare, and what's scarily common are the side effects.
Here is how to deal with the Cadaver in Lethal Company v80.
Table of contents
Where to find Cadavers in Lethal Company
The Cadaver isn't a creature you want around. Their spawns appear to be extremely rare, though I have found them on March and Adamance. While they are flora, Cadaver doesn't grow on a particular biome and isn't restricted to forest moons (March, Adamance, or Vow). However, it is highly likely that the Cadavers grow most frequently inside Factory interiors. These creatures are classified as indoor entities.
Cadaver behavior guide
The Cadaver is a strange one. Its source seems to start at the Main Entrance and grow from there, rather than appearing in and around the facility interior. Cadaver might be blossoming and spreading based on body heat, hinting that standing in the same room as it increases its growth speed. The Cadaver appears harmless at first, as you can walk through it, but standing too close or on top of the foliage restricts the air you're breathing in through the hazmat suit. Cadaver Blooms are releasing deadly spores that—through prolonged exposure—result in a fever-like disease and eventually, death.
Rather than dealing damage, the Cadaver waits until you've been in its vicinity long enough to attack. It's an invisible threat that will hit you out of nowhere, and when it does, you know your time's up. Next to your stamina you may have noticed a warning about toxic and bad air quality. The longer it remains on screen, the higher the chance of getting seriously ill.
If you have been affected by the Cadaver, you will experience: high fever, blurred and red vision, fatigue, reduced movement speed, and death. Solo players will die shortly after the fever crosses 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, co-op players affected by this poisonous plant will become a zombie-like entity, similar to the Masked Mimic.
Solutions when dealing with Cadaver Bloom in Lethal Company
If you're not quick enough, our solutions will act as a temporary fix to a lethal problem. Like taking a machete to jungle vines, the Shovel can reduce the Cadaver with four hits. The Weed Killer is the obvious choice, and while it does work to an extent, the Cadaver always finds a way to come back if you haven't destroyed all of it. You can use the Cadaver to your advantage to avoid the line of sight against Thumpers, but it's a risky play.
I have noticed that the Cadaver cannot grow at the center of the Main Entrance (or Lobby). It can only grow along the perimeter in this room. It does, however, continue to spread down the adjacent corridors, obscuring vision much like a foggy room where you must turn a valve to close the gas. Cadaver spreads fast if you're standing near it, so avoid standing in one place for too long. In my opinion, there is no need to buy Weed Killer as it doesn't have infinite uses. That is, unless the growth hasn't spread far at the start of the day (exists in one corridor max). It's highly likely you will get sick if an area is overwhelmed by Cadaver and still persist with using the Weed Killer.
So you don't waste your money, I have also tested the TZP-Inhalant, as this is the only logical medical solution to an infection. It has zero effect. Outside of the Weed Killer and Shovel that can help manage the Cadaver's growth, there is nothing currently in Lethal Company that acts as an antidote to the spores.
It looks like monsters are unaffected by the Cadaver aside from obscuring vision on creatures that can see. Therefore, your best bet is to use the Fire Exits when the Cadaver spawns in. If you have to travel through the toxic foliage, you have up to thirty seconds of safety when the air quality warning shows. Testing your limits beyond the thirty seconds is putting yourself at risk of getting infected.
The post How to deal with Cadaver Bloom in Lethal Company appeared first on Destructoid. |
Destructoid Monday, March 30, 2026 2:23 PM
Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together is coming soon to PC and consoles, and you can begin your culinary journey with your buddy in shared adventures. The kitchen is heating up, as you're no longer on your own.
But first, let's look at when the launch goes live so that you and your buddy can jump in at the first minute.
Table of contents
Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together release countdown
Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together goes live globally on Tuesday, March 31. The following countdown will expire once the game goes live.
The countdown is based on the following times.
These times are based on the information available on SteamDB. Any changes made at the last moment will be updated in this guide.
What to expect from Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together
Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together follows the same formula as the last game, but there's a key difference. You no longer have to manage your promising restaurant alone. You can do so all on your own or bring a friend to help you out on your journey.
Learn different recipes, refine your techniques, and cook what's being ordered to win over your customers. Just like real life, no two clients are the same. To satisfy their palates, you'll need to focus on their key interests, likes, and dislikes.
Cooking is only one part of the challenge, as running a smooth kitchen isn't easy. You'll need to keep your stocks full and stations prepped in advance to meet the orders in time. Use different equipment and manage the timings to ensure that the food being made up meets the expectations of the clients.
It's not all work, as you can build up your personal apartment in your own style. With plenty of customization options, you can give your chef a unique personality and appearance. We will be able to explore once the game goes live in less than the next 24 hours.
The post Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together release countdown: Exact date and time appeared first on Destructoid. |
WGB Monday, March 30, 2026 6:38 PM The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 is set for June 7, featuring anticipated game announcements, including Gears of War: E-Day Direct. Expect reveals of Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and potentially more. |
MonsterVine Monday, March 30, 2026 6:00 PM Admittedly, I knew next to nothing about Serenity Forge's Fractured Blooms when I played it at PAX East. The more I learned, the more I was intrigued, as a time-loop horror story with an anime aesthetic hits a lot of targets for me. Even on the busy showfloor, I was impressed at how unsettled this […] |
MonsterVine Monday, March 30, 2026 3:00 PM Life is Strange: Reunion is a solid attempt at sending-off series progenitors, Chloe and Max. Unfortunately, due to some pacing issues, Max's power usage, and the handling of Chloe's return, Life is Strange: Reunion feels like less of a send-off and more of a one-off, resulting in a weak series entry. Maxine Caulfield is moving […] |