Valve just leaked several new videos showing the Steam Frame's unboxing, setup process, and various accessories. The videos apparently appeared on the ARM Steam client following an update, but they were "quickly pulled after that," according to the Steam Hardware Updates account on X.

The Steam Frame is Valve's virtual-reality headset that can stream games from a PC or play them locally. Valve first took the wraps off the headset last year, and it offers LCD screens with 2160 x 2160 resolution per eye, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and an up to 110-degree field of view. But these leaked videos offer a closer look at what it might be like to un …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Clips of what appears to be Grand Theft Auto VI have hit the internet, possibly spoiling aspects of the game ahead of Rockstar Games' deep dive debuting on Netflix next week and its long-awaited launch in November.

I've seen three clips seemingly showing off the game, though two have been pulled from the site I saw them on "due to a copyright claim." The first clip (now removed) was a quiet scene that mostly focused on Jason Duval, one the game's two protagonists, shooting a basketball into a hoop. Another clip (also removed) featured more of the crime-focused gameplay you'd expect from GTA, including Duval hitting a person with a wrench, a …

Read the full story at The Verge.

More than two decades after its original launch, this PS1 RPG is bringing its 32-bit adventure to the modern console era with Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 releases.

Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess Releases on Modern Consoles

Just a bit more than a month after the Console Archives released 1998’s Console Archives Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, the initiative is back this month with a way for modern console owners to dive into the 1999 follow up.

The Console Archives version Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess releases this week and brings the late 90s RPG to a wider audience. The upcoming Console Archives version of the drop drops on August 20, 2026 and will be available digitally for $14.99 on the Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5. If you are unable to find the games listed in the online store, please be aware that this products may not be available in your area.

“Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess was released by Nippon Ichi Software in 1999 for a 32-bit home console. Set 12 years after “Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure”, this musical RPG follows Kururu—the daughter born to Cornet and Prince Ferdinand—as she sets off on a journey to find her ideal prince. Enjoy the world of the Marl Kingdom brought to life by richly expressive characters and a newly revamped battle system that adds deeper tactical depth.”

Shoppers will need to keep in mind that for this release, the user interface and manual are available in English, but the game content is available in Japanese only.

Like most Console Archives releases, this project includes some modern conveniences and quality-of-life improvements for players to enjoy. Here’s a list of the usual Console Archives features:

• customizable button layouts
• rapid-fire settings
• multiple save points
• additional options include screen layout adjustments and filters that recreate the the nostalgic atmosphere of CRT TVs, allowing players to customize the visual experience to their preference

The Console Archive group has released roughly one game a week this week and added a ton of retro gaming classics to the Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 stores. A handful of the titles were huge hits that nostalgic players may have fond memories of, but many are also obscure games that retro fans can now check out for the first time.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more retro gaming news.

The Console Archives version of Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess releases on August 20, 2026 for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

The post 1999 PS1 RPG Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 This Week appeared first on VICE.

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Dungeons and Dragons players who manage their campaigns through D&D Beyond are going to be getting a ton of new tools in the coming months thanks to a suite of new DM-focused features for the VTT.

D&D Beyond Reveals DM Scene Prep and Custom Uploads

Earlier this month at Gen Con 2026, Dungeons and Dragons revealed a ton of announcements about new products, initiatives, and other updates that were on the horizon for the TTRPG. Amongst those updates were some teasers about new tools coming to D&D Beyond later this year and into 2027.

Now that Gen Con 2026 has wrapped up, the D&D Beyond team is back with some more details that offer a sneak peek about how the upcoming features will look and work when they roll out on the VTT.

The next big content push for D&D Beyond seems to be all about making life easier for DMs, which is definitely an area where the tool has been lacking.

The biggest new feature is the DM Scene Prep. This tool looks like it will allow DMs to mark up Maps with notes ahead of encounters to help better prepare obstacles, puzzles, lore drops, and art reveals.

“Stop jumping between tabs and flipping between pages to find the notes you wrote for this scene. Instead, put just what you need, right where you’re already playing. Scene Prep gives DMs the ability to put their prep notes straight into maps, keying them to scene pins on the map. We’re putting the final touches on this feature and will get that in your hands real soon!”

Additionally, the enhanced DM tools are also going to give dungeon masters more control with additional customizable upload options. This enhancement will allow DMs to bring their own art into the game for character tokens, stickers, and reveals.

“We’re working on two different ways to upload custom content into Maps – drag-and-drop for temporary, one-time use stickers, reveals, and replacement token art, as well as persistent storage for custom Stickers and Reveals. Populate a tavern with Commoners that all look different, draw a picture of the boat your players stole last session and use it as a sticker, or reveal an image of a strange glyph with an embedded clue to the puzzle you homebrewed. Custom Uploads will let you play however you want – whether it’s official content or a fully homebrewed world.”

The last big teaser focused on bringing tools to DMs who want to use D&D Beyond, but aren’t necessarily using the Maps feature.

“We also love to play with physical minis, physical dice, and physical maps. We know that sometimes you don’t need a map, but would still appreciate having some digital assistance to stay organized and keep the game flowing.

To better support DMs no matter how they prefer to play, physical or online, with Maps or with other VTTs, we’re kicking off an initiative to lift the DM tools we’ve been building inside of Maps to be accessible even if you aren’t using the VTT. And yes, this will also include a refresh of the Encounter Builder!”

The update didn’t commit to a specific release date for any of these new features, but it sounds like they’ll be arriving in a series of updates throughout the rest of 2026 and into 2027. As they arrive, it will be very interesting to see how the community reacts and what sort of additional improvements are made based on player feedback.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other online services.

The post Dungeons and Dragons – D&D Beyond Offers First Look at Enhanced DM Tools appeared first on VICE.

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Most fantasy sports leagues suffer the same problem: retention. Leagues play out over monthslong seasons, require regular attention, and can punish players severely for missing even a single week. I've started Fantasy Premier League (FPL) multiple times, but never finished a season.

That's a problem for any fantasy league, but especially so for a new game in a growing sport, hoping to attract new fans who might grow along with it. And so when Manchester United take on London City Lionesses on the opening day of the Women's Super League (WSL) season next month, fans will have a chance to compete in a fantasy league that's a little different …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The Sonic Fortnite collab will arrive alongside the launch of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 on August 20. According to dataminers, players will be able to get Sonic, Dr. Eggman, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Knuckles outfits. Here is every Sonic Fortnite skin coming in Fortnite Override, along with all the leaked bundles and how to get each cosmetic.

When Is the Sonic Fortnite Collab Release Date?

The Sonic Fortnite collab release date is Thursday, August 20, 2026, alongside the launch of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. Players can automatically unlock the Sonic skin by purchasing the Fortnite Override Battle Pass for $8.99.

However, Sonic isn’t the only character coming to the battle royale. According to dataminer ShiinaBR, we will also be getting two Sonic Fortnite bundles on the same day featuring Dr. Eggman, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Knuckles skins.

For your convenience, here is every Sonic Fortnite skin and cosmetic and where you can get them:

Sonic Cosmetic	How to Get It
Sonic Skin	Fortnite Override Battle Pass ($8.99)
Tails Sidekick	Fortnite Override Battle Pass ($8.99)
Dr. Eggman Skin	Fortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)
Shadow the Hedgehog Skin	Fortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)
Knuckles Skin	Fortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)

All Sonic Fortnite Bundle Cosmetics

There will reportedly be two Sonic Fortnite bundles sold in the Item Shop starting on August 20 that include three skins. As we mentioned above, players can get the Sonic skin through the Battle Pass. However, Dr. Eggman, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Knuckles will be available through separate bundle purchases.

According to dataminers, the Fortnite Sonic bundles will feature multiple cosmetic items, including pickaxes, back bling, Kicks, emotes, instruments, and a wrap. Here is everything reportedly included in each bundle:

Shadow and Knuckles Fortnite Bundle

• Shadow the Hedgehog Skin
• Knuckles Skin
• Two Back Blings
• Two Pickaxes
• Two Kicks
• One Emote
• Two Instruments
• One Wrap

Dr. Eggman Fortnite Bundle

• Dr. Eggman Skin
• One Back Bling
• One Pickaxe
• One Emote
• One Instrument

How Much Will the Sonic Fortnite Skins Cost?

At the time of writing, Epic Games has not revealed how much the Sonic Fortnite skins or bundles will cost. It’s hard to predict a cost, as this is the first major Item Shop bundle of the Fortnite Override season, and it is packed with many cosmetic items.

Epic Games also typically doesn’t confirm prices before an outfit enters the Item Shop. However, we would expect the individual Sonic skins to cost at least 1,500 V-Bucks, with the complete bundles selling for considerably more.

Thankfully, players won’t have to wait much longer to find out. The Sonic Fortnite skins and bundles are expected to enter the Item Shop on August 20 once Chapter 7 Season 4 starts. Just keep in mind that these bundle details come from datamined files and could still change before the crossover officially goes live.

The post Sonic Fortnite Skins Revealed – All Bundles and Release Date appeared first on VICE.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 officially launches on August 20 after server maintenance. Here is when Fortnite downtime begins and ends, and when the new Fortnite Override season goes live in every major region.

When Is Fortnite Downtime? Chapter 7 Season 3 End Times

Fortnite downtime will start at 11 PM PT on August 19 or 2 AM ET on August 20. That means there are less than 18 hours left before Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 ends. So, if you are still trying to finish your Fortnite Sprites collection, now is your final chance to do so.

That said, Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 server maintenance will technically start on different days depending on which region you are located in. To make it easier to track, we’ve created a table below that shows when Fortnite downtime starts in every major region before the launch of Fortnite Override:

Fortnite Downtime Schedule (August 19–20)

Region	Time Zone	Date	Downtime Start Time
US West Coast	PT	August 19	11 PM
US Mountain	MT	August 20	12 AM
US Central	CT	August 20	1 AM
US East Coast	ET	August 20	2 AM
Brazil	BRT	August 20	3 AM
United Kingdom	BST	August 20	7 AM
Central Europe	CEST	August 20	8 AM
Eastern Europe	EEST	August 20	9 AM
South Africa	SAST	August 20	8 AM
India	IST	August 20	11:30 AM
China	CST	August 20	2 PM
Philippines	PHT	August 20	2 PM
Japan	JST	August 20	3 PM
South Korea	KST	August 20	3 PM
Australia East Coast	AEST	August 20	4 PM
New Zealand	NZST	August 20	6 PM

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start?

According to dataminers, Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 will start on August 20 at 3 AM PT or 6 AM ET. That means server maintenance is currently expected to last around four hours after downtime starts on August 19.

For your convenience, we have created an easy-to-read table that shows when Fortnite Override starts in every major region:

Fortnite Override Start Times (August 20)

Region	Time Zone	Date	Chapter 7 Season 4 Start Time
US West Coast	PT	August 20	3 AM
US Mountain	MT	August 20	4 AM
US Central	CT	August 20	5 AM
US East Coast	ET	August 20	6 AM
Brazil	BRT	August 20	7 AM
United Kingdom	BST	August 20	11 AM
Central Europe	CEST	August 20	12 PM
Eastern Europe	EEST	August 20	1 PM
South Africa	SAST	August 20	12 PM
India	IST	August 20	3:30 PM
China	CST	August 20	6 PM
Philippines	PHT	August 20	6 PM
Japan	JST	August 20	7 PM
South Korea	KST	August 20	7 PM
Australia East Coast	AEST	August 20	8 PM
New Zealand	NZST	August 20	10 PM

It should be noted that the Fortnite Override start times could change. The table above is based on in-game files and when the update is currently scheduled to launch. Fortnite downtime can sometimes be extended if Epic Games needs more time to implement a major update.

However, these are roughly the times you can expect Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 to start. Fortnite Override will see the battle royale transform into a gaming legends-themed season with collabs that include: Sonic, Megaman, Tetris, Pac-Man, Persona 5, and more.

The post When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start? Override Downtime Schedule appeared first on VICE.

Fortnite Gem Hours goes live today for the final day of Sprite Spree Week. For 24 hours, players will have an increased chance of finding Gem Sprites throughout the battle royale map. This is also your last opportunity to collect Chapter 7 Season 3 Sprites before Fortnite Override begins on August 20. Here is when Fortnite Gem Hours starts in every region so you don’t miss out!

What Time Does Fortnite Gem Hours Start Today?

The Fortnite Gem Hours event starts today at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET on August 19, 2026. However, because Chapter 7 Season 3 ends tonight, the event will only remain available until servers go offline for maintenance at 1 AM PT / 4 AM ET on August 20.

Gem Hours is the fourth and final daily Power Hour featured during Fortnite Sprite Spree Week. Throughout the next 17 hours, Gem Sprites will appear more frequently in chests and across the map. Players can also take advantage of free Sprite resummoning, faster leveling, and several other useful bonuses.

The Power Hour ends early in the morning on August 20 in most regions. For your convenience, we have created a complete table below showing the Fortnite Gem Hours start and end times around the world:

Fortnite Gem Hours Schedule for Every Region

Time Zone	Gem Hours Start Time	Gem Hours End Time
Pacific Time (PT)	August 19 at 6 AM	August 19 at 11 PM
Mountain Time (MT)	August 19 at 7 AM	August 20 at 12 AM
Central Time (CT)	August 19 at 8 AM	August 20 at 1 AM
Eastern Time (ET)	August 19 at 9 AM	August 20 at 2 AM
British Summer Time (BST)	August 19 at 2 PM	August 20 at 7 AM
Central European Summer Time (CEST)	August 19 at 3 PM	August 20 at 8 AM
Japan Standard Time (JST)	August 19 at 10 PM	August 20 at 3 PM
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)	August 19 at 11 PM	August 20 at 4 PM
New Zealand Standard Time (NZST)	August 20 at 1 AM	August 20 at 6 PM

All Fortnite Gem Hours Rewards and Bonuses

The Fortnite Gem Hours rewards include free Sprite resummoning, double Sprite XP, and a Lucky Item Locator daily quest. These bonuses will remain active until the servers go offline for Chapter 7 Season 4 maintenance.

Sprites will also level up twice as quickly during Gem Hours, making today the perfect time to master any remaining Chapter 7 Season 3 Sprites. Resting beside a campfire also grants double Sprite Experience, allowing you to upgrade your collection even faster before the season ends.

Here is every bonus available during Fortnite Gem Hours:

• Sprites cost no Sprite Dust to resummon, meaning you no longer lose them.
• Sprites level up twice as quickly.
• Resting beside a campfire grants double Sprite Experience.
• Players can earn a Lucky Item Locator by completing daily quests.

Which Sprites Are Featured During Fortnite Gem Hours?

Fortnite Gem Hours features Gem Sprite variants throughout the event on August 19. Since this is the final day of Chapter 7 Season 3, it is also your last chance to find these Sprites before Fortnite Override begins.

The Gem Zero Point Sprite and Gem Grim Sprite are particularly rare, so players who still need them should take advantage of today’s increased spawn rates. Once the season ends, it is unclear when these Gem variants will become available again.

Here are the Sprites featured during Fortnite Gem Hours:

• Gem Water Sprite
• Gem Earth Sprite
• Gem Duck Sprite
• Gem Demon Sprite
• Gem Punk Sprite
• Gem Zero Point Sprite
• Gem Aura Sprite
• Gem Grim Sprite
• Gem Llama Sprite

How Long Does Fortnite Gem Hours Last?

Fortnite Gem Hours lasts for 17 hours, beginning at 6 AM PT on August 19 and ending at 11 PM PT that night. Although Sprite Spree Week events normally run for a full 24 hours, today’s Gem Hours will end early when the servers go offline for Chapter 7 Season 4 maintenance.

Unlike older Power Hour events, Gem Hours is not divided into a pair of two-hour sessions. You can log in at any point before servers go down at 1 AM PT / 4 AM ET and still participate. Gem Hours takes place during the final hours of Chapter 7 Season 3, making it your last opportunity to complete your current Sprite collection.

Once maintenance begins, the game will become unavailable until Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

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