Previews of the upcoming Fortnite Battle Pass skins for November 2026 have reportedly leaked early. According to users, marketing billboards in Tokyo and Madrid have revealed our first look at what could be the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass cosmetics.

Fortnite November Battle Pass Leaks Reveal Five Rumored Skins

We are still weeks away from the end of Chapter 7 Season 4 on October 31, and we might already have our first preview of next season’s Battle Pass. Eagle-eyed fans walking around Madrid and Tokyo have spotted marketing billboards that are seemingly teasing the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season, which launches on November 1.

Here is the current rumored lineup for the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass:

Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass (Rumored)

• Jonesy (Anime/Pirate Remix)
• Hope (Anime/Pirate Remix)
• Syd (Anime/Pirate Remix)
• Evie (Anime/Pirate Remix)
• Oscar (Anime/Pirate Remix)

Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season Battle Pass Preview

More importantly, the billboards appear to confirm that the November Fortnite Battle Pass will feature five remix skins. According to several of the images, it looks like we could specifically be getting anime-style versions of Jonesy, Hope, Syd, and Evie.

Interestingly, the new artwork looks straight out of Persona 5, and even features a page-rip effect similar to those seen in the RPG’s cutscenes. For your convenience, here is a look at the four potential upcoming Fortnite Battle Pass skins. The names below are descriptive labels:

Anime Jonesy Skin

Anime Hope Skin

Anime Evie Skin

Anime Syd Skin

Note: Epic Games has not officially confirmed these as November Battle Pass skins. However, based on the promotional artwork, the cosmetics appear to feature an anime-inspired style.

Is Fortnite’s November Mini Season Anime-Themed?

Rumors about November’s Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season have been interesting, to say the least. In early October, several dataminers claimed that it would be a One Piece season. While that remains unconfirmed, the new marketing billboards suggest that it could feature both anime and pirate themes instead.

According to a rough translation of the ads the Fortnite Chapter 7 Mini Season description reads: “Have you seen the treasure? Join the hunt.” With the latest Battle Pass teasers, the anime side of those rumors is starting to look more likely as well, although the artwork alone doesn’t confirm any specific crossovers.

NEXT MINI SEASON's OFFICIAL TEASERS

"Have you seen the treasure? Join the hunt"

Seems to be an Anime Pirates Mini-Season, and Luffy to be the Captain – Spotted Spain (Madrid) by @KATARO333 pic.twitter.com/L6rZFXp5hP

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) October 20, 2026

Even the close-ups of the characters’ eyes look very similar to Atlus’ art style in Persona 5, particularly the animated portraits seen during cutscenes. If Jonesy and Hope are both getting anime-style skins, it could be our clearest hint yet at the look Epic is going for with November’s season.

For now, we will have to wait for Epic Games to reveal the full November Fortnite Battle Pass and explain how these characters fit into the Mini Season. With Chapter 7 Season 4 ending on October 31, there isn’t much longer to find out whether the pirate and anime rumors are connected.

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Dungeons and Dragons players who want to lean into stealth and high damage attacks have some great options across the three World of Warcraft-inspired Rogue specializations.

Dungeons and Dragons Brings All Three WoW Rogue Specializations To The Tabletop

Dungeons and Dragons players have a ton of exciting classes and subclasses to pick from as they begin their adventures set in Azeroth. The upcoming World of Warcraft gameplay expansion for the TTRPG brings every class and specialization to the tabletop, including all the stealthy and deadly rogue options.

“Rogues in World of Warcraft are pretty similar to a classic Rogue in Dungeons & Dragons: skulking in the shadows, striking with deadly precision, then moving on to the next job. Nobody wants to see them on the enemy team—but then, you likely never will.”

Here is a breakdown of all three Rogue specializations and the corresponding subclasses that D&D players will use to bring them to life:

Assassination – Use poison extensively, often wielding a pair of daggers coated with deadly toxins.

• The Assassin Rogue will focus on poisons, hard and fast damage, high mobility, and will choose the Assassin subclass.

Outlaw – Use agility and guile to dominate in combat while standing toe-to-toe with your enemies.

• Outlaw Rogues will select the updated Swashbuckler subclass. Swashbucklers dance and flit across the battlefield, goading and awing (and infuriating) their opponents with equal ease.

Subtlety – Draw on the supernatural magic of the shadows to cloak yourself in darkness and form deadly blades.

• The Subtlety Rogue will prioritize the stealth ambush and will select the Soulknife subclass.

Of all the World of Warcraft classes, the Rogue is the one that most nearly maps to an existing Dungeons and Dragons class and existing subclasses. The only notable changes are the updates to the Swashbuckler subclass that will be used to reflect the Outlaw specialization.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates as the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion release date approaches.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other similar online services. The Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft gameplay expansion releases on November 17, 2026.

The post Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft – How to Play An Assassination, Outlaw, or Subtlety Rogue appeared first on VICE.

ARC Raiders players have had a chance to experience a PvE version of the game this month, but the testing window has come to a close and the extraction shooter is back to its original PvP tension for now.

ARC Raiders Team Will aNnounce Results of PvE Test in November

ARC Raiders launched nearly a year ago in late October 2025 and quickly became one of the biggest games of the year. The unique worldbuilding, emergent gameplay moments, and tension of the extraction shooter formula scratched an itch for many gamers.

That said, there are still plenty of players who love the world of ARC Raiders, but aren’t a fan of the constant threat of PvP violence. Embark Studios has been listening to that feedback carefully and recently tested out a PvE matchmaking toggle in the game.

More than 30 million rounds of PvE were played over the testing period, which gives the ARC Raiders team a huge amount of information to analyze. Due to the volume of data, the team is going to need a short period of time to dive into the numbers and draw out the insights.

“On a surface reading, we know that the test has been polarizing. As always, our decision on how to proceed will prioritize the overall health and enjoyability of the game… We don’t yet know what the outcome of the data analysis will be, but we expect to be able to follow up with further information in November.”

As ARC Raiders attempts to ensure that its dedicated fanbase is engaged enough to stick around and continue giving the game their attention, the team needs to strike a balance that will keep the highest percentage of fans and active players happy. It should be very interesting to find out what that looks like when they follow up with an announcement next month.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more ARC Raiders news and updates as the November announcement approaches.

ARC Raiders is available now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.

The post ARC Raiders Concludes PvE Test Run and Confirms Next Steps appeared first on VICE.

Star Wars Battlefront 3 is reportedly in development, according to a new report. However, if accurate, there are several studios such as Bungie and Respawn that are rumored to be involved with the multiplayer’s revival.

Star Wars Battlefront 3 Reportedly in Development at DICE and Respawn

This latest rumor first kicked off when a report surfaced online claiming that Bungie and DICE were potentially the developers for Star Wars Battlefront 3. However, things got interesting quickly when Joe Brammer, CEO of WARDOGS developer Bulkhead, confirmed that he had heard that the leaked multiplayer game is in fact real.

Responding to a post on X about the rumor, Brammer wrote: “DICE and from what I’ve heard Respawn are working on Battlefront 3. Not sure what that means for Battlefield.” Interestingly, Brammer did not mention Bungie in his response, leaving its potential involvement unclear.

DICE and from what I’ve heard Respawn are working on Battlefront 3. Not sure what that means for Battlefield. https://t.co/1vOnaKeT85

— Joe Brammer (@Brammflakes) October 19, 2026

Now, it should be pointed out that Brammer qualified his claim with “from what I’ve heard.” Although his position as Bulkhead’s CEO adds some weight to his comments, this still isn’t official confirmation. That said, we should treat this latest rumor with a major grain of salt until an official announcement is made. Even if it is real, it’s unclear how far along the project might be.

Where Bungie Fits Into the Star Wars Battlefront 3 Rumors

Brammer’s comments follow an earlier rumor discussed by Jeff Grubb on Game Mess Mornings. Grubb shared claims from Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Quarterman rumor column suggesting that Lucasfilm was looking for a development partner for a new Star Wars Battlefront game, with DICE and Bungie named as potential candidates.

As far as how Bungie factors into this, its potential role remains unclear. With Brammer not mentioning the Destiny 2 studio at all, we don’t know whether it is involved or was simply being considered.

Then again, Brammer also pointed out that this was something he had heard. All this to say, there is a lot of smoke around this Star Wars Battlefront 3 development rumor. However, whether it leads to a new game—and how far away that project might be—is anyone’s guess.

While it might be too soon to celebrate, it does sound like an exciting update for fans of the Star Wars multiplayer series. Given the recent string of incredible Star Wars games, including Galactic Racer and Zero Company, who knows? Maybe Respawn and DICE can breathe some new life into the Battlefront series next.

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Challenges with production and shipping are hitting Magic: The Gathering once again and cause some delays for a highly-anticipated Secret Lair bundle.

Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle Delayed

Magic: The Gathering collectors have had a lot of exciting products to consider lately, including the Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle. This collection is part of the new Magic initiative to give every new set the Secret Lair treatment.

Starting with Reality Fracture, every Magic Multiverse set will feature a Secret Lair Bundle that combines the set’s most popular and powerful new cards with a bit of Secret Lair flair. That means there will be special alternate art that provides a unique touch different from what players would find in Play Boosters.

Unfortunately, this first Secret Lair Bundle has been hit with some familiar issues. Due to production and shipping issues, the Reality Fracture Secret Lair Bundle is delayed globally and may arrive shortly after the October 23 release date. Exact delay timing will vary locally.

Secret Lair Bundles purchased as part of Secret Lair Chaos Vault bundles will follow typical Secret Lair fulfillment based on drop availability and production timing.

The Secret Lair Bundle was announced alongside the Strange School and Duality Distorted products, but the official announcement did not mention any issues with the production or shipping of those products at this time.

Magic: The Gathering and Wizards of the Coast will make an announcement if there are additional changes to Secret Lair Bundle availability.

A few Magic: The Gathering products have had delays recently due to similar shipping and production issues, so this may feel a bit familiar to players who follow the game’s releases closely. Hopefully these issues can be resolved quickly and collectors can get their hands on the new Secret Lair Bundle before long.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.

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Minecraft, the world's most successful video game and now a blockbuster movie series, will soon bring its blocky voxelated world into reality. Minecraft World, first revealed in March, will open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures, just outside London, and will include a 70-room themed hotel. — Read the rest

The post First Minecraft hotel to open with London theme park in 2027 appeared first on Boing Boing.

As any clued-in gamer can tell you, the prospect of actually owning the video games you’ve purchased has never been shakier. Sony recently tried to convince customers that they don’t own any games digitally purchased from the PlayStation Store, gaslighting us into thinking we’ve merely been buying a limited, revocable software license. There’s a simmering sense that greedy corporate suits are trying to strip us of our right to own things so they can siphon money from our wallets in perpetuity with subscription models.

Is game ownership on the verge of death? Maybe not, if a new bill proposed by Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY) actually makes it through Congress, as reported by Kotaku.

Dubbed the “Power to Players Act” (a nod to the old GameStop slogan), the bill would direct the FTC to enforce real digital ownership. Under the proposal, buying a game would grant full rights to own, play, and transfer it, rather than paying $70 for a glorified Blockbuster rental that disappears when the publisher decides the game no longer needs to exist. And these suits wonder why the piracy scene is thriving.

The ‘Power to Players Act’ Could Give Gamers More Control Over the Games They Buy

Torres is even picked as the poster child for the debate: NBA 2K25. It came out in late 2024, raked in millions by selling 11.5 million units as of August 2025, making it the fifth best-selling game of 2024 in the US and the 18^th best-selling game of 2025, and already its publisher, 2K Games, is delisting it and killing its servers, rendering major modes unplayable. Torres’ bill would force publishers to build offline modes for online-dependent games so players can keep using what they bought for $60-$70.

What we’re seeing here is the US version of a legislative push gaining steam worldwide as part of the broader “Stop Killing Games” movement. The movement reached the European Citizens’ Initiative with over 1.29 million signatures, but the European Commission declined to propose new binding laws in June 2026. Torres’s version will no doubt face some heavy pushback from lobbyists who will claim that offline modes are too expensive to build.

 Another issue is that most bills die before they reach a vote. But considering that just in the past month or so, AI-driven decompilation tools have so rapidly altered the landscape of the gaming industry, threatening to make every game released instantly open source and available to anyone, maybe there’s a chance that it lights a fire under the butt of some publishers to put some effort into preserving their games lest gamers permanently turn to AI decompilation.

The post Everything We Know About the ‘Power to Players Act,’ a New Bill That Could Change Gaming Forever appeared first on VICE.

Granted, I'm not the world's biggest Resident Evil fan. The only one I've played in full was Resident Evil 7, a grimy Texas Chainsaw Massacre-inspired ordeal that's about as close to disconnected from the series' convoluted overarching plot as it gets. — Read the rest

The post Resident Evil fan film is just as spooky as the games appeared first on Boing Boing.

No, I don't mean the kind of 'sunset' games like Concord or Highguard get. Rather, the big glowy thing in the sky. Who among us hasn't stopped every once in a while to take in the probably-toxic Los Santos sunset?

Fruitless and hubris-fueled as humanity's attempts to digitally recreate the splendor of the natural world around us may be, we have come pretty close. — Read the rest

The post The very best sunsets in gaming appeared first on Boing Boing.

Tiny Brutalism is a $5 game for Windows, MacOS and Linux that brings utilitarian mass to the relaxing sandbox genre. Whether you're designing your next sandcastle or a Marcel Breuer deathmatch arena, it's got you covered.

Create strange monuments, impossible structures, concrete towers, or just a really big wall.

— Read the rest

The post Tiny Brutalism is a relaxing sandbox game about enormous concrete forms appeared first on Boing Boing.

Magic Arena is bringing making some updates to the Arena Powered Cube Draft selection of cards, including the addition of one of the game’s most iconic combo opportunities.

The Splinter Twin Combo Comes to Magic Arena in October POwered Cube Update

The Splinter Twin combo first rose to popularity way back in 2011 when it emerged in the Standard format and the early days of Modern. Since then, it has been a popular combo option in various paper cube draft formats over the years.

After lots of requests from combo fans, the pieces are now being added to Magic Arena in the latest Arena Powered Cube update, which adds 22 new-to-MTG Arena cards and another 16 pieces of new-to-MTG Arena artwork.

Splinter Twin is now on MTG Arena. The combo notably has a replacement component in Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker, which the team has added to MTG Arena to double your chances at building your combo.

With Divining Duelist, Glamermite, Pestermite, Restoration Angel, and Zealous Conscripts, there are enough creatures that combo with it while also having applications elsewhere. While the team has added Deceiver Exarch to MTG Arena, they’ve decided not to include it in the cube list as it only works as a combo piece (Pestermite is mostly a combo piece but can be used in a tempo and/or ninjutsu shell in a pinch) and requires two to three times as many loops as the other creatures do in order to create a lethal number of tokens.

The Arena Powered Cube Draft will be available to play from October 20 through November 10, so it should be very interesting to see how popular the Splinter Twin combo becomes and how different players react to seeing it at the digital table.

In addition to Splinter Twin, the update is also taking the opportunity to infuse some Reality Fracture flare into the Arena Powered Cube with cards like Stingcaster Mage, Seasoned Cryomancer, and Simulacrum Shaper.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering and Magic Arena news and updates soon.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.

The post Magic: The Gathering – Arena Finally Adds Splinter Twin Combo appeared first on VICE.

Epic Games has revealed the Slenderman Fortnite skin, and dataminers have shared when it is expected to arrive in the Item Shop. Here is when Slenderman is coming to Fortnite, all of its cosmetic items, and its estimated bundle pricing.

Slenderman Fortnite Skin Revealed – First Look

Although the Slenderman Fortnite skin technically made its first appearance in the Fortnitemares 2026 trailer earlier this month, up to this point we haven’t really gotten a clear look at the cosmetic. However, the wait is finally over, as dataminers have decrypted the skin early.

For your convenience, we have posted an HD image below to give you a better look at what the Slenderman Fortnite outfit looks like in-game:

The Slender Man Outfit

When Is Slenderman Coming to Fortnite?

The Slenderman Fortnite release date is Thursday, October 22, 2026. The highly anticipated creepypasta skin will be available in the Item Shop starting at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET, following the daily store refresh.

However, that means the Fortnitemares 2026 collab will arrive on October 23 for some players, depending on their region. To make it easier to track, we’ve created a table below showing when the Slenderman Fortnite skin goes live across major regions:

Region	Release date	Release time
US Pacific	Thursday, October 22	5 PM PDT
US Eastern	Thursday, October 22	8 PM EDT
Brazil	Thursday, October 22	9 PM BRT
United Kingdom	Friday, October 23	1 AM BST
Central Europe	Friday, October 23	2 AM CEST
South Africa	Friday, October 23	2 AM SAST
United Arab Emirates	Friday, October 23	4 AM GST
India	Friday, October 23	5:30 AM IST
Singapore	Friday, October 23	8 AM SGT
Japan	Friday, October 23	9 AM JST
Australia (Sydney)	Friday, October 23	11 AM AEDT
New Zealand	Friday, October 23	1 PM NZDT

Slenderman Fortnite Bundle Items and Estimated Pricing

Finally, dataminers have also revealed the full Slenderman Fortnite bundle that will be sold in the Item Shop. The collab will feature one skin, alongside additional cosmetic items such as a unique pickaxe and Back Bling.

Here is the full Slenderman Fortnite bundle lineup and its estimated individual item pricing:

Cosmetic	Item type	Estimated price
The Slender Man	Outfit	1,500 V-Bucks
Tentacles of the Slender Man	Back Bling	400 V-Bucks
Slender Tendrils	Pickaxe	800 V-Bucks

We estimate that the Slenderman Fortnite bundle could cost around 1,600 V-Bucks. That said, this is not confirmed and is an estimated price based on recent bundles and a potential bundle discount.

The estimated individual prices total 2,700 V-Bucks. A 40% discount would bring that to 1,620 V-Bucks, putting our estimate around the 1,600 V-Bucks mark. However, the final price will depend on the discount Epic Games applies when the bundle arrives in the Item Shop.

The post Slenderman Fortnite Skin Revealed – Release Date and Bundle Confirmed appeared first on VICE.

More than four decades after its arcade debut, this retro shooter is now available on modern consoles.

Stinger Arrives on Modern Consoles and PC

Stinger originally hit arcades all the way back in 1983, but the retro shooter is returning now for a modern console release. The original Arcade Archives version of the game arrive for Nintendo Switch and PS4 in the summer of 2025, but now the Arcade Archives 2 version is available for PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series consoles.

“Take control of the “STINGER WOLF” and head to the center of an enemy base where evil life forms roam. In an emergency, you can call on the friendly robot “BONGO” to automatically destroy the enemy.”

The Arcade Archives 2 version of the game costs $9.99 on all platforms. Players who already own the Nintendo Switch or PS4 version will also be able to upgrade to Nintendo Switch 2 or PS5 for just $2.99.

As always, the Arcade Archives version of the retro title aims to recreate the original experience, but also adds a handful of modern conveniences and quality-of-life upgrades.

Here’s a look at some of the key features that players can expect:

• In ORIGINAL MODE, you’ll find a variety of convenient features that make revisiting these classic titles even more enjoyable.
  • difficulty and display settings
  • button remapping
  • rapid-fire options
  • the ability to create multiple save files at any time
  • a rewind function to undo your last move
  • Some titles also offer special settings that recreates the nostalgic atmosphere of CRT TVs
• In HI SCORE MODE and CARAVAN MODE, you can compete for the best scores with players around the world through Online Rankings.
• “Arcade Archives 2” series introduces a brand-new mode called TIME ATTACK MODE, in addition to the ORIGINAL MODE, HI SCORE MODE, and CARAVAN MODE from Arcade Archives.
  • TIME ATTACK MODE focuses on how quickly you can complete the game, regardless of the score you achieve.
• With VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, the gameplay can be reproduced even more accurately, closer to the original arcade experience.

The Arcade Archives has been consistently releasing new and updated titles each week throughout 2026. Retro gaming fans can expect more additions as the year continues.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more retro gaming news and updates each week.

The Arcade Archives 2 version of Stinger is available now Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.

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Pokemon GO players are in for a very exciting week as a new event brings the latest debut and new Pokedex entry to the mobile game.

Minior Debuts in Pokemon GO

Today kicks off the first of a handful of special events in Pokemon GO that will see Minior Showers hitting the game and offering players the chance to catch different color versions of the Gen 7 Rock-/Flying-type.

For those who aren’t familiar with Minior, the Meteor Pokemon comes in seven different colors:

• Minior (Red Core)
• Minior (Orange Core)
• Minior (Yellow Core)
• Minior (Green Core)
• Minior (Blue Core)
• Minior (Indigo Core)
• Minior (Violet Core)

Minior will battle in its Meteor Form until its health is reduced to below 50%, when it will change its form and expose its core. While in Meteor Form, Minior will have higher Defense and lower Attack. While its core is exposed, Minior has higher Attack and lower Defense.

Initially, Minior will only be able to change forms when battling Team GO Rocket, team leaders, or in the GO Battle League.

Pokemon GO trainers might find one in its Meteor Form in the wild during the following meteor showers each year, and they’ll receive increased Stardust for catching Minior. During each of the meteor showers below, one of Minior’s different core colors will make its Pokémon GO debut!

• Orionids
  • October 19 at 5:00 p.m. to October 24 11:59 p.m. local time
• Leonids
  • November 14 at 5:00 p.m. to November 19 11:59 p.m. local time
• Geminids
  • December 11 at 5:00 p.m. to December 16 11:59 p.m. local time
  • One of Minior’s core colors will make its Pokémon GO debut in the Northern Hemisphere, and another in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Eta Aquariids
  • May 3 at 5:00 p.m. to May 8 11:59 p.m. local time
• Southern Delta Aquariids
  • July 28 at 5:00 p.m. to August 2 11:59 p.m. local time
• Perseids
  • August 10 at 5:00 p.m. to August 15 11:59 p.m. local time

That should be everything trainers need to know to prepare for the first meteor showers to kick off today. Pokemon GO trainers should be sure to act quickly and take advantage of this opportunity before the meteor showers conclude and the event ends on October 24.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Pokemon GO news and updates.

Pokemon GO is available now in most regions on mobile devices.

The post Gen 7 Pokemon Makes Special Debut This Week appeared first on VICE.

Housemarque just dropped a huge free update for Saros that brings boss rush mode, New Game+, and a handful of additional game modifiers to all Saros owners.

Saros: Zenith Update Arrives October 19

Saros released earlier this year in April 2026 and delivered the highly-anticipated spiritual successor to Returnal. The game featured some similar mechanics, but a whole suite of new accessibility features and a unique system to make each run feel like it was worth the effort.

Saros players are pulled through the game by a unique mystery and narrative, but Housemarque is hoping to add some incentives to play through again even after the main story has been finished.

The Saros: Zenith update aims to add replayability for existing players who had already explored all of Carcosa, and make the game more accessible so even more people can discover the addictive, explosive, exhilarating bullet ballet gameplay that made Saros one of the highest rated action games of 2026.

One of the most unique additions is the Slow Game Speed mode. With this setting enabled, you can slow the game down to give yourself more time to react to hostile attack telegraphs, see the bullets as they fly towards you, and decide your response. The attacks remain the same, but you have a little more time to deal with them.

You have control over how much the game slows down, and can even choose if you want the setting to kick in automatically during combat, or if you want to manually toggle it on when things get hairy.

The new “Auto-fire” accessibility setting makes your weapon fire automatically when you are aiming at a hostile. We know that some players may find it difficult to hold a button down for extended periods of time, so we hope this will help. More broadly, it gives you one less button to worry about during combat, freeing up your brain cycles to hit that dash button at just the right time to avoid taking a hit. Importantly, however, this setting does not make reloading automatic. A perfect reload still requires a well-timed button press. Like our other features, this is designed to make the game more accessible, not remove opportunities for player skill expression.

Combined with the new Motion Sensor Aiming functionality and our existing button remapping settings, players now have many ways to customize how Saros controls.

Beyond these new accessibility features, the team has also greatly expanded the “Carcosan Modifier” system from Saros.

Using this system, players can apply various “Modifiers” to the world of Carcosa to tune the difficulty to their liking. Protection Modifiers alter the game in a way that makes it easier and more forgiving. Zenith brings 10 new Protection Modifiers, to give players having a difficult time even more ways of customizing their experience.

The New Game+ mode known as “Eclipse Layers” has also been introduced. After clearing Saros, mysterious new nodes will be added to the Armor Matrix back at Passage. These are the key to unlocking the gate to the next Eclipse Layer, a more intense version of the game with altered rules.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Saros and Housemarque news and updates.

Saros is available now exclusively on PS5.

The post Everything New in the Free Saros: Zenith Update appeared first on VICE.

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Who doesn’t love seeing a cute, furry little creature? That’s why games with animal protagonists are so common and popular across genres, from cozy to creepy. Here are five new and upcoming games where players can delve into wildlife-centered worlds. 

1. Animal Trainer Simulator 

If you want to work with digital animals without running an entire zoo, Animal Trainer Simulator is for you. Instead of a zoo or a wildlife preserve, players manage their own animal training center, where they can create a safe space for a host of furry creatures. You start by designing the building, then expand the premises with outdoor play areas and paddocks. 

And despite the name, it’s not just about training the animals. It’s also about taking care of them. The more a player pets, brushes, and feeds an animal, the happier it becomes, which means more love and loyalty for the trainer. Players can monitor stats to see how their animal is doing in terms of health and happiness. Some animals won’t be so easy to train, though, offering players a special challenge. As for the animals, players can train dogs and horses. 

Animal Trainer Simulator is available on Steam and PlayStation. 

2. Planet Zoo 2 

Planet Zoo 2, the sequel to zoo management simulator Planet Zoo, is out now. Zoo construction starts from the very beginning, including crafting habitats, managing daily tasks, and caring for the zoo animals. Players can build zoos around the world, with the goal of eventually releasing their animals into wildlife reserves so that they can thrive in expansive, natural environments. Wildlife reserves are a new element in the series, letting players manage realistic environments that change with the seasons and even the weather. 

New animals and habitats to explore, too. For the first time, players can add flying animals to their zoo, along with aquatic creatures and the homes they need to care for them properly. New animals include toucans, vultures, owls, sea turtles, manatees, and sharks. 

Planet Zoo 2 is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. 

3. Gravhounds

With a demo currently available on Steam, Gravhounds is a co-op action builder for up to four players. Friends can choose from a cast of canine characters called the Gravhounds, like Doberman Zane and bulldog Dozer, bio-engineered specifically for the task at hand. And what exactly is that task? Just build a base on an alien planet, no big deal, except the planet is inhabited, and those inhabitants will put up a serious fight. The Gravhounds can combine their skills and strengths to beat back the swarm. 

For anyone wondering what the “Grav-” part of Gravhounds means, the crew can use a Gravity Beam to toss objects over long distances to help their teammates. Or they can use the beam against enemies, tossing them around like a chew toy. Players should be careful with this tool. Chucking around “volatile materials” can be dangerous for themselves and their teammates. 

The demo launched on Steam on October 12, and the full game is set to enter early access on November 2nd. Along with PC, players can grab Gravhounds as a day-one drop on Xbox Game Pass. 

4. Creepy Shift: Deer Farm 

Not all animal-themed games are cute. Another entry in the indie horror franchise Creepy Shift, the game follows the main character on a remote farm, where their job is to care for the deer that live there. The work seems simple at first: keep the deer safe and fed, and do some maintenance on the farm and its machinery. In return, the main character has a place to sleep, albeit a rustic one, and plenty of time to themselves. That might be a problem, considering bears and wolves roam the woods, and the only link to the outside world is a radio. 

This first-person horror game has players not only care for the animals, but also solve puzzles and ensure their own survival. Previous Creepy Shift entries include Roadside Diner, where the player takes the night shift at a remote diner, and House For Sale, where the task is to make sure the house is ready for an investor to inspect. Deer Farm seems to continue the theme of working alone in a remote location while blending horror with job sims. 

Creepy Shift: Deer Farm doesn’t have an official release date yet, but a demo is already available on Steam — just in time for spooky season.  

5. Haunted Paws 

Haunted Paws is another co-op game, this time for two players who can use split-screen as they work together to solve mysteries. The game focuses on two pups, though players can choose from a wide range of cute breeds. Players can even customize fur color and dress the dog up in fun costumes. And that’s not all, as of October 9, the developers announced a kitten option, too! Although the kitten might have to dress up as a puppy to blend in. 

Whatever adorable option the player chooses, the goal is to rescue the human best friend kidnapped by creepy monsters. Each one has a unique backstory to unravel before they can be defeated, and it’s up to the two furry friends to do it. Run and dig, explore, and connect clues to figure out just how to get that best friend back. 

The release date for Haunted Paws is still up in the air, but players can access a demo on Steam now.

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Every gamer, whether experienced or new to the joystick life, reaches a point in a game where they simply get stuck. While walkthroughs are helpful, a more engaging option is a Let’s Play channel, where YouTubers play through the game and provide visuals to help anyone struggling. These channels can also preview gameplay and story, helping potential players decide whether the game is right for them. 

1. CJUGames

CJUGames offers a relaxed atmosphere while playing these scary games, rarely getting too loud, although he does fall prey to a jump scare every now and then.  The channel focuses primarily on indie horror games often played in one video, though one recent playthrough includes Silent Hill Townfall. Because his content highlights indie games, it helps prospective players discover games they might otherwise miss. Similarly, because these games may not have gotten the attention they deserve, it means a full walkthrough might be missing from the Internet. That’s where Chris comes in. 

In addition to the complete Townfall tour, with the last part posted less than two weeks ago, recent playthroughs include Lost Hopes: Days of Betrayal, We Are Sisters, and Echoes In Darkness, all of which the channel classifies as indie horror games. 

2. ManlyBadassHero

Like CJUGames, ManlyBadassHero offers a relaxed commentary style while focusing on indie projects. He also leans toward more bizarre games, though his channel includes more one-shot video guides than expansive multi-video posts. These videos are great for audiences who are curious about indie games but don’t have the time or focus for lengthy playthroughs. Beyond indie games, Manly has also covered more popular titles like Poppy Playtime and Mouthwashing.

More recent posts on the channel include Sweet Instincts, a visual novel created for the Spooktober Game Jam, along with a Backrooms parody game called Failrooms, and Slaughterforest. 

3. ChristopherOdd

ChristopherOdd offers a more immersive experience, urging viewers to put on headphones and dim the lights to focus on the game’s narrative. His channel also offers multi-video playthroughs that really dive into the story. Alongside games from bigger studios, he also shines a light on indie titles. His content centers on a variety of games, from RPGs like The Witcher to sci-fi like Star Wars: Zero Company to survival horror like Dive or Die. 

Part eight of his Dive or Die playthrough recently went up. Other posts from this week a Volatiles playthrough, and a video praising puzzle game Order of the Sinking Star. 

The post 3 YouTube Channels That Can Help You Beat the Game You’re Stuck On appeared first on VICE.

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A recent Bloomberg report has sparked speculation among some players that GTA 6 could be unfinished just weeks before launch. However, comments about Rockstar continuing to make changes to the game have been taken out of context. Here is what the developer actually said about the release of Grand Theft Auto VI.

Rockstar’s GTA 6 Development Comments explained

Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier recently published an extensive report about the making of GTA 6. However, a rumor that Grand Theft Auto VI was not completed yet only weeks before launch spread online, after some players took several quotes from the Bloomberg piece out of context.

In the report, Rockstar’s Phil Hooker explained that the studio has continued making changes to the game even months before launch: “The game’s never completely settled. We never have an exact blueprint. Even within the last few months, we’ve changed things.”

The quote doesn’t say that GTA 6 as a whole is unfinished weeks before release. It also doesn’t suggest that Rockstar plans to ship Grand Theft Auto VI with missing features or significant compromises.

The quote was largely talking about Grand Theft Auto VI being so ambitious on a technical level, that they continue to make refinements due to just how complex the game is. It was also explaining why the game took so long to get made.

Rockstar’s GTA 6 Comments Need More Context

One detail being overlooked is that Schreier visited Rockstar North in September. That places the conversation months before the game’s late November launch, rather than in the final days before release.

The wording matters here, too. Hooker said the team had changed things “within the last few months.” That doesn’t establish how significant those changes were or suggest that major features still needed to be completed. It also doesn’t give us context what build they were on, or when exactly those changes were made.

The other aspect I think that should be considered, is the context with which the quote was given. In their conversation with Jason Schreier, Rockstar were talking about just how complex GTA 6 is on a technical level. To demonstrated this, here is an excerpt from Schreier and Rockstar describing how a night club works in GTA 6:

“Designing a club for a typical video game might mean generating a few nonplayable characters in different-colored shirts, says top artist Aaron Garbut. In GTA VI, though, it means animating and scripting each individual patron, creating drinks, adding music, crafting lighting, matching the music to that lighting and composing all the other “layers and layers and layers of detail” that make a virtual club feel as authentic as possible.”

That example helps explain the level of detail Rockstar is working towards with GTA 6 and gives a little more context about the changes they continue to make given how complex the game’s systems are. All this to say, panic around Grand Theft Auto VI being “incomplete” seem to largely be unwarranted and started from a misunderstanding of Jason Schreier’s excellent report on the development of the game.

The post No, Rockstar Didn’t Say GTA 6 Is Unfinished Weeks Before Launch appeared first on VICE.

Magic: The Gathering is preparing to return to the world of Marvel Comics once again with the upcoming Marvel’s History of Heroes product and the full list of all 30 cards has just been revealed.

All 30 Cards in Secret Lair: Marvel’s History of Heroes

Magic: The Gathering has returned to the world of Marvel quite a few times lately and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down its pace. In addition to the upcoming Darkhold-themed set that arrives in April 2027, there is also a new Secret Lair Countdown Kit bringing more Marvel reprints and alternate art to the Secret Lair collection.

Each copy of Secret Lair Countdown Kit: Marvel’s History of Heroes contains 30 individually packaged Magic cards, each of which represents an era or moment from the history of the Marvel Universe. These cards randomly appear in non-foil, foil, or—when the stars and spells align—surge foil.

Marvel’s History of Heroes launches on November 2, 2026. The Secret Lair Countdown Kit: Marvel’s History of Heroes will cost collectors $199.99.

Here is the full list of all cards included in Secret Lair: Marvel’s History of Heroes:

• Fierce Guardianship
• Molten Duplication
• Unbreakable Formation
• Timber Protector
• Devastation
• Heroic Intervention
• Opposition Agent
• Fighter Class
• Vigor
• Biorhythm
• Tainted Pact
• With Great Power
• Mjolnir, Storm Hammer
• Champion’s Helm
• Force of Virtue
• Court of Bounty
• Unholy Heat
• Villainous Wrath
• Damning Verdict
• Primal Might
• Damn
• Genesis Wave
• Fiery Confluence
• Beta Ray Bill
• Doctor Strange, Master of Magic
• Rogue’s Gloves
• Snuff Out
• Titanic Ultimatum
• Collective Effort
• Lightning Bolt

A particularly interesting inclusion in the Countdown Kit is the appearance of two cards from a set that hasn’t been released yet. Doctor Strange, Master of Magic and Beta Ray Bill both appear in Secret Lair Countdown Kit: Marvel’s History of Heroes, representing the arcane and godlike corners of the Marvel Universe.

These are two uncommon cards from the main set of Magic: The Gathering | Marvel: Darkhold Destiny. Both cards will be legal in all formats starting with Magic: The Gathering | Marvel: Darkhold Destiny Prerelease events, which begin on April 2, 2027.

As always, shoppers should keep in mind that Secret Lair products are limited print runs and tend to sell out very quickly. That means that interested Marvel fans will want to act quickly and secure an order as soon as the Secret Lair drop goes on sale.

Be sure to check back soon for more Magic: The Gathering news and updates.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena.

The post Magic: The Gathering Reveals Every Card in Marvel’s History of Heroes appeared first on VICE.

Druids are one of the most versatile classes in World of Warcraft and Dungeons and Dragons is attempting to recreate that flexibility with recommendations for how to play all four different Druid specializations at the tabletop.

D&D: World of Warcraft Character Creation Guide for All Druid Specs

Druids are a fan-favorite World of Warcraft class that allows players to tank, heal, or heal damage. They have a ton of utility and seem very likely to be equally popular for Dungeons and Dragons players as they form their parties for upcoming adventures in Azeroth.

Druids call upon the power of land, sea, and sky to tear their enemies apart and put their friends back together. Skilled shapeshifters, elementalists, guardians, and healers, Druids are versatile and adaptable spellcasters.

Every Druid in World of Warcraft learns new beast forms: Cat Form, Bear Form, and Travel Form (which includes an Aquatic Form and a Flight Form). These forms take on unique stat blocks for Druids with access to Circle Forms. For Druids without the Circle Forms feature, certain Beast stat blocks are made available.

Druids are already a Dungeons and Dragons class, so that gives players an easy place to start. Once their class is selected, players will want to take one of these branching paths, depending on their specialization preference:

• Balance – Leverage the sacred powers of the moons, the sun, and the stars to keep the elemental forces of the cosmos in equilibrium.
  • The Balance Druid selects the Circle of the Stars subclass and uses the versatility of its Starry Form to take on the appearance of moonkin and adapt their magical aptitude to their circumstances.
• Feral – Pursue a visceral connection to the wild—nature’s eternal dance between predator and prey.
  • The Feral Druid represents nature red in tooth and claw, using the Circle of the Moon subclass and a unique Cat Form to rip nearby foes apart.
• Guardian – Commune with the wild to better understand how life perseveres through adversity.
  • Guardian Druids also use the Circle of the Moon to take on a unique Bear Form that stands between their fellow adventurers and danger, converting magical energy into Temporary Hit Points and imposing Disadvantage on enemy attack rolls.
• Restoration – Where there is decay, bring rejuvenation. Where there is devastation, bring regrowth.
  • The Restoration Druid will pick the Circle of the Land subclass to reflect their relationship with nature’s cycle and use new spells to continuously heal allies.

That should be everything Dungeons and Dragons players need at this point to start formulating ideas for their Druids before the Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft book officially arrives in November.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates as the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion release date approaches.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and similar online services. The Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft gameplay expansion releases on November 17, 2026.

The post Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft – How To Play a Balance, Feral, Guardian, or Restoration Druid appeared first on VICE.