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SteelSeries’ comfy wireless gaming headset is nearly half off

18 August 2026 at 22:01
The Nova 3P in eye-catching cyan. | Image: SteelSeries

While many gaming headsets come with extra features, the tradeoff is that they’re often uncomfortable and heavy. A lightweight, affordable alternative that can connect to a bunch of platforms is available at Woot. The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P in cyan is on sale for $59.99, a 45 percent discount from their usual $109.99 price.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P

Where to Buy:

This headset, like most of SteelSeries’ models, feature a stretchy strap on the headband to offset its weight, plus a removable boom mic so you can take them on the go. While they sound good right out of the box, the SteelSeries app offers over 200 game-specific equalizer profiles that can enhance the sound experience, emphasizing the sound of footsteps in shooters, for example, or adding a richness to the music in cinematic games.

This version of the headset is compatible with Windows and macOS computers, PlayStation consoles, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and Android and iOS mobile devices. They include both a Bluetooth connection for calls and mobile use, and a compact low latency USB-C dongle for listening over a 2.4GHz wireless connection. They’re advertised to last up to 40 hours on a single charge, and can fast charge for up to nine hours of gaming in just 15 minutes via USB-C.

PlayStation’s wireless gaming speakers launch in November

18 August 2026 at 19:18
Sony’s Pulse Elevate wireless speakers for PS5 and PC.

Sony's Pulse Elevate wireless gaming speakers are launching on November 12th and will cost $219.99, the company announced on Tuesday. Announced nearly a year ago, the speakers are compatible with a PS5, PlayStation Portal, PC, and Mac, and they include "studio-inspired planar magnetic drivers" that offer "lifelike sound across the entire audible spectrum," Sony says. They also include a built-in mic for voice chat, Sony's PlayStation Link low-latency tech, and charging docks for topping up the batteries.

The Pulse Elevate speakers come in two colors, black and white, and preorders begin on September 1st at 10AM ET in the US or 10AM local t …

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Brawler Adds New Playable Character in Huge Update

18 August 2026 at 20:52

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans are in for a ton of exciting new content thanks to today’s update to the popular TMNT roguelike brawler.

TMNT: Splintered Fate Releases Its Biggest Content Drop to Date

TMNT: Splintered Fate is releasing a huge new content update today that is free for all players. The King’s Gambit content brings the Rat King to the game as a new boss for the team to take down.

Players who manage to overcome this overwhelming challenge and beat the Rat King will unlock a new ending, and the finale for the main TMNT:SF campaign.

In addition to the free content, today also marks the release of the Slash DLC. This new playable character can be purchased and added to the roster starting now.

“While he might lack the speed of his friends, Slash more than makes up for it with incredible fortitude. You can body slam and roll through enemy ranks with ease, utilizing his unique knockback abilities to control the flow of combat. For those looking to optimize their build, Slash has a natural affinity for Water and Ooze powers, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other elements too! Plus, this DLC includes five brand-new Artifacts that will augment your Playstyle.”

Here is a full breakdown of all the new content that is arriving in the game today:

  • The King’s Gambit – The wait is finally over… introducing the infamous Rat King, who poses the ultimate threat to the Turtles and their brave allies. Capping off the main storyline arc, this intense and challenging run will push players’ reflexes and combat abilities to their absolute limit. In the midst of this chaos, players can also befriend an adorable new Home Lair Ally, Pepperoni.
  • Slash Playable Character DLC – The beloved, short-tempered turtle, Slash, has officially joined the playable character roster with massive claws and immense physical strength to destroy anyone standing in his way. He arrives with his signature Enraged mode, allowing him to temporarily move faster and deal devastating extra damage.
  • Samurai Armor Pack – Players can channel their inner warrior with beautifully rendered outfits inspired by the iconic gear of the past. Each set is individually personalized for every one of the heroes on the half shell, allowing players to strike fear into the Foot Clan with style.
  • Platinum Bundle – This comprehensive package includes all paid content released to date alongside every free update. There’s never been a better time to dive into TMNT: Splintered Fate!
  • …And More – Even with all this new content, it doesn’t stop there! Players can showcase their TMNT love with limited run t-shirts, prints and Pepperoni plushies. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 Legendary Edition, launching on October 27, are now available.

That should be everything players need to know as they jump back into the game to check out the latest additions. Be sure to check back soon for lots more Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles news and updates.

TMNT: Splintered Fate is available now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices.

The post Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Brawler Adds New Playable Character in Huge Update appeared first on VICE.

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans can now pick up a new DLC that allows them to battle enemies and tackle new content as Slash.

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Overview – All Skins, Emotes & Cosmetics Confirmed

18 August 2026 at 19:57

Epic Games has released a complete overview of the Fortnite Override Battle Pass, confirming all eight skins alongside several new emotes and cosmetic items. Here is everything included in the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass, including a customizable character, the Tails Sidekick, Sonic emotes, and special launch-week bonuses.

All Fortnite Override Battle Pass Skins

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Characters
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic has just released the final Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass overview, which reveals eight new skins, including a major gaming collab. Sonic headlines the new pass alongside series’ villain Geno. Players who purchase the pass will be able to automatically unlock the Sonic Fortnite skin on August 20.

More impotently, the official Override Battle Pass overview has now given us our best look at what the new Chapter 7 Season 4 skins will actually look like in-game. For your convenience, here is the full Fortnite Override Battle Pass skins list and HD images below to give you a preview of the new characters:

Complete Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass

  • K1TTYW1NS
  • Phantom
  • Grace Crowne
  • Geno
  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Mali
  • Wrixel
  • Bastian
Fortnite Override Battle Pass Characters
Screenshot: Epic Games

Customizable Fortnite Skin Has Over One Million Combinations

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Customizable Character
Screenshot: Epic Games

One of the biggest features of the Fortnite Override Battle Pass is a customizable character named Wrixel, that has over one million possible outfit combinations. The new skin appears to be constructed from pixel cubes and can be changed using different colors, faces, outfits, and accessories.

Epic’s overview shows several possible designs for the cosmetic, including Peely, Cuddle Team Leader, and Jonesy, styles. However, with more than one million combinations available, players will have plenty of options for creating a version of the outfit that is unique to them.

Tails Sidekick and Sonic Cosmetics Revealed

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Tails Sidekick
Screenshot: Epic Games

Sonic isn’t the only character from SEGA’s iconic franchise that will available when Chapter 7 Season 4 launches. The Fortnite Override Battle Pass also includes a Tails Sidekick that can hover in the air and follow players around during matches.

The Override pass overview shows Tails alongside several matching cosmetic rewards, including a pickaxe, Back Bling. There even appears to be an emote where Tails goes after golden rings.

Sonic and Super Sonic Transformation Emotes Confirmed

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Emote
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Override Battle Pass overview also confirms that Sonic will have transformation emotes in Chapter 7 Season 4. One of the featured transformations allows Sonic to change into Super Sonic, giving him his iconic golden appearance from the SEGA games.

Based on the image, the emote will allow players to switch between the two styles during matches rather than selecting Super Sonic exclusively from the Locker. Epic Games has not revealed whether the transformation will be automatically included when unlocking the Sonic skin, or whether you will need to unlock it in a later tier in the battle pass.

Fortnite Override Launch-Week Bonuses

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Launch Week Bonus
Screenshot: Epic Games

Players who purchase the Fortnite Override Battle Pass during launch week will also receive a collection of special bonus cosmetics. The overview shows an additional outfit for Grace Crowne, as well as a matching helmet, pickaxe, Back Bling, and Glider for the new character.

Epic has not yet provided the complete requirements for claiming these rewards. However in Chapter 7 Season 3, players just needed to log in during launch week, and have the pass purchased to automatically earn these rewards. Players can also earn the launch week bonus by having an active Fortnite Crew subscription which automatically unlocks the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass.

When Does the Fortnite Override Battle Pass Release?

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Overview
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Override Battle Pass will become available when Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Players will be able to purchase it directly in-game or access it through Fortnite Crew.

According to dataminers, the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass should go live at 6 AM PT, or 6 AM ET. Although launch times are subject to change, based on whether server maintenance goes smoothly.

The post Fortnite Override Battle Pass Overview – All Skins, Emotes & Cosmetics Confirmed appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft – Every Horde and Alliance Mini Revealed

18 August 2026 at 17:35

Dungeons and Dragons players have a ton of exciting products to check out when the official World of Warcraft materials arrive, including some Horde and Alliance themes packs of miniatures to populate their battlefields.

Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft Reveals Two Sets of Miniatures

Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft will kick off the TTRPG’s Universes Beyond line later this year with a massive sourcebook, DM Screen, Map Pack, and tons of new content for DMs and players to use as they kick off their tabletop adventures in Azeroth.

For groups that are playing in-person, rather than using a VTT, Wizards of the Coast is also releasing some very tempting D&D: World of Warcraft minis inspired by the new races that are being introduced to the TTRPG in the WoW sourcebook.

Each new set of miniatures includes seven unpainted minis for $24.99. At this point, both sets are scheduled to release on November 1, 2026, just a few weeks before the actual D&D: World of Warcraft sourcebook arrives.

Both upcoming sets of minis are being produced by Hasbro, which is a bit different than the usual WizKids partnerships that many recent D&D minis have leverages.

The Horde Set includes:

  • Illidan Stormrage
  • Blood Elf
  • Troll
  • Goblin
  • Orc
  • Undead
  • Tauren

The Alliance Set includes:

  • The Lich King
  • Human
  • Night Elf
  • Draenei
  • Worgen
  • Dwarf
  • Gnome

“This Dungeons & Dragons Official Miniatures Set is the ideal companion to the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: WORLD OF WARCRAFT book. Inspired by the World of Warcraft characters and races fans love, the collector minis pack includes 7 unpainted miniatures. These highly detailed 1.1-inch-scale miniatures are great additions to any D&D or World of Warcraft fan’s collection.”

As always, the miniatures are totally optionally and players can run their WoW-themed adventures entirely using theater of the mind if they prefer, but some fans will certainly be excited about the idea of purchasing and painting their own D&D: WoW minis to create their PCs or enemies. Having the chance to drop Illidan or the Lich King on the map during a dramatic encounter is going to be very tempting for any DMs who are long-time fans of the World of Warcraft franchise and its iconic adversaries.

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: World of Warcraft – Every Horde and Alliance Mini Revealed appeared first on VICE.

The Next LEGO Game Could Be Confirmed At Gamescom

18 August 2026 at 17:13

Gamescom 2026 kicks off next week and the latest rumors suggest that a new LEGO game might be revealed during the big event.

Rumor: LEGO Skylines Reveal Coming at Gamescom 2026

LEGO Skylines Leaked
Screenshot: LEGO, Paradox Interactive

Gamescom 2026 begins on August 24, but rumors have already begun circulating about what sort of reveals might be coming during Opening Night Live. In addition to some insider information that suggest Xbox is announcement a major sequel, there is also some release to believe that a new LEGO game may be unveiled during the event.

Rumors of a project called Lego Skylines began swirling back in May 2026 after the title was found in a new batch of ratings from the Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea. So far, the project hasn’t actually been confirmed or officially revealed, but some fans think that is about to change.

Gamescom has already teased in an instagram post that “Lego is back at Gamescom 2026” and some gaming fans have noted that Paradox is also scheduled to be present at the event. For those who aren’t familiar with the company, Paradox Interactive is the Swedish-based publisher of the City Skylines franchise.

At this point, the assumption is that LEGO Skylines will be a LEGO-spin on the City Skylines franchise that combines the gameplay mechanics of City Skylines with the aesthetic and humor of the LEGO brand.

Fans should definitely keep in mind that this theory is definitely in the realm of rumors and speculation and neither company has confirmed that LEGO Skylines is officially in the works or that they will be making new game announcements at the event.

The latest major LEGO gaming release arrived earlier this summer with LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight and was a major critical and commercial success. That game has its first major story DLC scheduled to arrive in September. At this point, the next LEGO project is still a mystery, so fans of the brand will have to tune in to Opening Night Live to find out if a new project is actually revealed.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more news and updates as Gamescom 2026 kicks off. The event is scheduled to run from August 24 through August 30 and should be full of new gaming announcements.

At this point, Lego Skylines has not officially been revealed and there is not confirmed release window for the rumored project.

The post The Next LEGO Game Could Be Confirmed At Gamescom appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: LEGO, Paradox Interactive

LEGO Fortnite Odyssey Is Completely Changing How Building Works in Update 42.00

18 August 2026 at 16:51

Epic Games has announced its overhauling how building works in LEGO Fortnite Odyssey. Starting with update 42.00, Guided Build is being replaced by Quick Build. The new feature will allow players to complete massive creations in a fraction of the time. Creator Builds are also finally coming to the LEGO Fortnite mode.

LEGO Fortnite Odyssey Quick Build Explained

LEGO Fortnite Odyssey Wallpaper
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games has revealed that the new Quick Build feature will become the new default way to build in LEGO Fortnite Odyssey when update 42.00 launches. The new mechanic is designed to make building faster while cutting down on the amount of grinding needed to complete larger creations in the open-world sandbox mode.

Interestingly, Epic explains that the “more pieces you place with Quick Build, the faster the construction process” becomes. Players will eventually be able to place multiple pieces at once, allowing detailed structures that previously took hours to come together much more quickly.

For your convenience, here is a breakdown of how Quick Build works according to Epic:

  • Building gets faster over time: The construction speed increases as you continue building, eventually allowing you to place several pieces simultaneously.
  • Massive creations take less time: Large and detailed builds can be completed in a fraction of the time.
  • Traditional building is still available: Players can continue placing pieces brick by brick whenever they want. This method will still consume resources, but it has also been made faster and smoother.
  • Improved mobile controls: Epic Games has fine-tuned the touch controls and will now display the complete blueprint while you build.
LEGO Fortnite Quick Build
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic has confirmed that Quick Build is just the first update in a much larger overhaul to the LEGO Fortnite mode. “Every LEGO Fortnite Odyssey update throughout the remainder of 2026 will introduce a new building skill.” Each feature will build upon the last, eventually allowing players to become what Epic is calling a “Master Builder.”

A full trailer that will showcase how Quick Build works will be released on the official LEGO Fortnite YouTube channel on August 20.

New LEGO Fortnite Creator Builds Announced

LEGO Fortnite Odyssey Update Roadmap
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games also announced that it’s finally adding character creations to LEGO Fortnite. The first two user-creations coming to the game were specifically made by members of the LEGO Fortnite Odyssey community.

Each user-created structure will also feature a unique Creator Crest that designates them as being made by a player. The first Creator Build is Haskyns’ Skyfang Marauder, which will become available on August 20. To unlock it, players just need to log in and claim the build in the mode’s menu.

A second creation, Spixylei’s Crown of the Abyss, will then arrive one week later on August 27. Here is the complete Creator Build schedule that has been announced so far:

Creator BuildRelease Date
Haskyns’ Skyfang MarauderAugust 20, 2026
Spixylei’s Crown of the AbyssAugust 27, 2026

Haskyns’ Skyfang Marauder

LEGO Fortnite Haskyns’ Skyfang Marauder
Screenshot: Epic Games

Spixylei’s Crown of the Abyss

LEGO Fortnite Spixylei’s Crown of the Abyss
Screenshot: Epic Games

Finally, Epic Games teased that additional building improvements, tools and content are planned throughout the remainder of the year. However, the massive LEGO Fortnite Odyssey update 42.00 will be the first major change to the popular sandbox experience.

The post LEGO Fortnite Odyssey Is Completely Changing How Building Works in Update 42.00 appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Every Game Coming to Xbox Game Pass in Late August (Including The Next Installment in The Plague Tale Franchise)

18 August 2026 at 16:51

Xbox has officially revealed the second round of August 2026 additions to Game Pass and the new lineup includes an interesting mix of genres.

Xbox Game Pass August Wave 2 Adds Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy and More

The second wave of titles coming to Xbox Game Pass in August is a pretty large one, but the highlight for many gamers is likely going to be Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy.

This latest installment in the Plague Tale Franchise appears to be a fresh spin on the world that will play quite differently from the previous games.

“Follow Sophia’s journey to the Minotaur’s Island, where she faces deadly trials, navigates treacherous trails, solves puzzles, all while fighting and staying one step ahead of the army chasing her. But the true challenge awaits, as the terrifying creature hidden behind the myth will soon resonate with her.”

The title is an Xbox Game Pass day one feature, so it will be very interesting to see if it helps draw players into the ecosystem to continue exploring this world after 2022’s A Plague Tale: Requiem.

Here is a full breakdown of everything included on the Xbox Game Pass August Wave 2 list:

  • Egging On (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 18
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Vapor World: Over the Mind (Game Preview) (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 19
    • Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • BlazBlue Entropy Effect X (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 19
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Relooted (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 19
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Starsand Island (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 20
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Aerial_Knight’s DropShot (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 25
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Blood Dungeon (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, and PC) – August 25
    • Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy (Cloud, XBOX Series X|S, Handheld, and PC) – August 27
    • Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass
  • Young Suns (Cloud, Console, and PC) – August 31
    • Now with Game Pass Premium; joining Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
  • Shelldiver (Cloud, Console, and PC) – September 1
    • Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, PC Game Pass

Aside from Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, there are a few other standout titles. Starsand island is likely going to appeal to fans of cozy games, while platforming fans may want to check out Blood Dungeon.

Be sure to check back soon for more news and updates on the latest additions and removals from Xbox Game Pass.

The post Every Game Coming to Xbox Game Pass in Late August (Including The Next Installment in The Plague Tale Franchise) appeared first on VICE.

Xbox May Be Planning A Big Sequel Announcement for Gamescom

18 August 2026 at 16:37

Gamescom 2026 is less than a week away and the inevitable rush of leaks and rumors have started to arrive. Amongst the intel seems to be an indication that Xbox is going to show up at the event with a surprising game reveal.

Industry INsider Teases Major Xbox Reveal for Gamescom

5 Xbox Studios At Risk of Being Closed Closed in Microsoft's Layoffs
Screenshot: Xbox

Gamescom 2026 officially kicks off next Monday, on August 24, but lots of rumors have already been swirling around the events biggest announcements. Over the last few hours, a handful of industry insiders have teased some advanced knowledge about Xbox showing up at the event to make a surprise announcement.

The rumor began with some tweets from NateTheHate2, who has proven to be a fairly reliable source of Microsoft information over the years. In response to a question about what whether Nate was aware of any type of surprises in the Gamescom Opening Night Live lineup, the account replied with:

“I’ve heard of a neat Xbox announcement that should be at Gamescom.”

This obviously sent fans into a frenzy to try and uncover for information. Nate didn’t say too much more, but did reply to one question that asked what it will be:

“Something that has my interest and curiosity piqued.”

After Nate’s posts got the conversation started, more evidence later arrived from Windows Central editor Jez Corden. Although Corden said that his information was still in the rumor territory and not 100% confirmed, he added some new information by claiming that the announcement would be an unexpected sequel, not a new IP.

““there might be a pretty big surprise (probably very unexpected sequel) reveal (not Banjo lol).”

Obviously there’s not a lot of information to go on at this point, but it will be very interesting to tune in to Opening Night Live and see what sort of trailers or world premiers end up being a part of the show. Some fans have been making guesses, but there isn’t really enough information to confirm those theories at this time.

Xbox is still very much trying to redefine the narrative after a huge round of layoffs and the loss of some studios early this summer, so the company is likely hoping to get some positive press as soon as possible.

Be sure to check back for lots more news and updates in the days leading up to the Gamescom 2026 kick off.

Gamescom 2026 begins August 24 and runs through August 30.

The post Xbox May Be Planning A Big Sequel Announcement for Gamescom appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Xbox

How to Get the Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet Skin Early

18 August 2026 at 16:11

Epic Games surprised players by announcing that a Fortnite Kernel Hearts collab is coming in September. However, players can unlock the Fortnite Fernet skin right now, over a month before it arrives in the Item Shop, through a special method.

Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet Skin Release Date and Price

Fernet Fortnite Skin Wallpaper
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet skin release date is Saturday, September 26, 2026. The cosmetic will cost 1,500 V-Bucks when it launches next month. However, players can actually get the new Fortnite Override cosmetic right now through a limited-time promotion.

If you pre-order Kernel Hearts through the Epic Games Store, the Fortnite Fernet skin will be unlocked in your game today. Kernel Hearts can also be pre-purchased for $19, which actually makes it cheaper than buying the cosmetic when it arrives in Fortnite this September.

For your convenience, we have created an easy-to-follow guide below explaining how to unlock the cosmetic early.

How to Get the Fortnite Fernet Skin Early

Fortnite Kernel Hearts Epic Games Store
Screenshot: Epic Games

To get the Fortnite Fernet skin early, you must pre-order Kernel Hearts through the Epic Games Store while signed in to the account linked to your Fortnite profile. Follow these steps to unlock it:

  1. Visit the Epic Games Store: Sign in with the same Epic Games account you use for your Fortnite profile.
  2. Pre-order Kernel Hearts: Purchase the game through its Epic Games Store page while logged in to your linked account.
  3. Launch Fortnite: Load up Fortnite to automatically receive the Fernet skin. Claim the outfit to add it to your Locker.

Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet Skin First Look

Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet Promo
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Kernel Hearts Fernet skin does not come with any additional cosmetic items. However, the outfit has two edit styles, including a cel-shaded variant. To give you a better look at Fernet in-game, we’ve uploaded some HD images below:

Fortnite Fernet Skin

Fortnite Fernet Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games

For those who don’t want to pre-order the game, the Fortnite Kernel Hearts collab will arrive in the Item Shop on September 26. However, as we mentioned above, it’s actually cheaper to unlock Fernet through the Epic Games Store pre-order promotion.

Not only do you get the cosmetic early on August 18, but you also get the full game for less than the skin’s listed Item Shop value.

The post How to Get the Fortnite Kernel Hearts Fernet Skin Early appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Polaroid’s new Pokémon collection captures memories, not Pikachus

18 August 2026 at 15:00
A person standing in grass holds the Polaroid Go Gen 3 instant camera with a bright yellow Pikachu design.

Polaroid announced a new collection of cameras, instant film, and accessories all featuring limited-edition designs to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon. The new collection goes a little harder than Fujifilm's Pokémon collaboration from five years ago with the introduction of Polaroid film printed with various characters around the frames, including Pikachu and Snorlax. The entire collection will be available for preorder starting on August 25th in the US, Canada, and the UK through the Polaroid and Pokémon Center websites. A global release is expected to follow on October 5th.

The three limited edition instant cameras part of Polaroid's new Pokémon collection.

The three cameras are existing models with new des …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Fortnite Cube Hours Start Times – Sprite Spree Week Schedule (August 18)

18 August 2026 at 13:21

Fortnite Cube Hours is happening today as part of Sprite Spree Week. For 24 hours, players will have an increased chance of finding Cube Sprites while also receiving several bonuses that make collecting and leveling up Sprites much easier. Here is when Fortnite Cube Hours starts in every region and everything featured on August 18.

What Time Does Fortnite Cube Hours Start Today?

Fortnite Cube Sprites Release Date
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Cube Hours starts today at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET on August 18, 2026. The event will remain active for 24 hours before ending at the same time tomorrow on August 19.

Cube Hours is the third daily power hour featured during Fortnite Sprite Spree Week. During the event, players can find an increased spawn rate of Cube Sprites across the map while taking advantage of free resummoning, faster leveling, and several other useful bonuses.

The Power Hour begins late at night or during the early hours of August 19 in some regions. For your convenience, we have created a complete table below showing the Fortnite Cube Hours start and end times around the world.

Fortnite Cube Hours Schedule for Every Region

Fortnite Cube Sprites List
Screenshot: Epic Games
RegionStart TimeEnd Time
PT (West Coast US)August 18 at 6:00 AMAugust 19 at 6:00 AM
ET (East Coast US)August 18 at 9:00 AMAugust 19 at 9:00 AM
UK (BST)August 18 at 2:00 PMAugust 19 at 2:00 PM
Europe (CEST)August 18 at 3:00 PMAugust 19 at 3:00 PM
Brazil (BRT)August 18 at 10:00 AMAugust 19 at 10:00 AM
Japan (JST)August 18 at 10:00 PMAugust 19 at 10:00 PM
South Korea (KST)August 18 at 10:00 PMAugust 19 at 10:00 PM
Australia (AEST)August 18 at 11:00 PMAugust 19 at 11:00 PM
New Zealand (NZST)August 19 at 1:00 AMAugust 20 at 1:00 AM

All Fortnite Cube Hours Rewards and Bonuses

Cube Sprite Fortnite Release Date
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Cube Hours rewards include free Sprite resummoning, double Sprite XP, and a Lucky Item Locator. All of these bonuses will remain active throughout the 24-hour event as part of Fortnite Sprite Spree Week.

Players can also level up their Sprites twice as quickly during Cube Hours, so it’s the perfect time to master your sprites before the season ends on August 19. Resting next to a campfire provides double Sprite Experience as well, making it even easier to upgrade your collection.

Here is every bonus available during Fortnite Cube 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 Cube Hours?

All Fortnite Cube Sprites List
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Cube Hours features Cube Sprite variants throughout the 24-hour event on August 18. This is one of the best chances to fill out your collection before Chapter 7 Season 3 comes to an end.

In particular, the Cube Zero Point Sprite and Cube Grim Sprite are two of the rarest Sprites in the entire game. If you haven’t unlocked them yet, Cube Hours is your last opportunity to finally add both variants to your collection.

Here are the Sprites featured during Fortnite Cube Hours:

  • Cube Batman Sprite
  • Cube Water Sprite
  • Cube Fire Sprite
  • Cube Ghost Sprite
  • Cube King Sprite
  • Cube Zero Point Sprite
  • Cube Striker Sprite
  • Cube Grim Sprite
  • Cube Air Sprite
  • Cube Seven Sprite
  • Cube Peely Sprite

How Long Does Fortnite Cube Hours Last?

Fortnite Sprite Spree Week Schedule
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Cube Hours lasts for 24 hours, beginning at 6 AM PT on August 18 and ending at 6 AM PT on August 19. Players will have a full day to hunt for Cube Sprites and take advantage of every Fortnite Sprite Spree Week bonus.

Unlike older Power Hour events, Cube Hours is not divided into a pair of two-hour sessions. You can log in at any point before the event ends on August 19 and still participate. During Sprite Spree Week, the boosted sprite hours literally last 24 hours.

With Chapter 7 Season 3 nearly over, Cube Hours is one of your final chances to complete your Sprite collection before Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

The post Fortnite Cube Hours Start Times – Sprite Spree Week Schedule (August 18) appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

The Duskbloods Character Classes Leaked Before Network Test

18 August 2026 at 12:51

All 14 The Duskbloods character classes have reportedly leaked early online. The upcoming FromSoftware multiplayer game appears to feature a lineup of truly disturbing characters for players to choose from.

The Duskbloods Characters Reportedly Leaked by Dataminers

The Duskbloods Closed Beta Footage
Screenshot: FromSoftware

We are now only a few days away from The Duskbloods network test on August 21, and the game has reportedly just suffered a major leak. According to a post on FamiBoards, dataminers were able to uncover new information about the Switch 2 multiplayer game after files were pushed to its servers ahead of the beta.

According to the leak, The Duskbloods will have 14 playable characters and classes. If the information is accurate, we also have a description of each character. And, well, they are pretty interesting to say the least! For your convenience, here is the full list of leaked The Duskbloods character classes reportedly uncovered by dataminers:

All 14 Leaked The Duskbloods Character Classes

The Duskbloods Network Test Dates
Screenshot: FromSoftware
  1. Blood-Eater | Walter: The sole survivor of an extinct clan of rare-blood hunters. He uses his extraordinary sense of smell to track the blind spots in others’ pasts. He descended into madness after repeatedly licking the blood spatter from his sister—whom he himself had killed—and still walks the line between life and death in search of pure blood.
  2. Guillotine | Gillian: An executioner of the Marisbel Inquisition. He carries a massive iron guillotine blade on his back. Having been exposed to too much blood over the years, he has begun to mutate and now wanders in search of the “Blood of the Beginning” before his own head is severed.
  3. Foul-Rot | Veronica: A blind nun abandoned in the basement of a ruined cathedral. She inflicts self-harm to spread the grotesque blood blisters multiplying inside her body. The footprints she leaves behind instantly cause anything they touch to rot.
  4. Nail-Pierced | Sebastian: A fanatic saint who drives silver nails into various parts of his body, using the flowing blood as a catalyst for miracles. By inflicting wounds on himself, he temporarily gains overwhelming ferocity, but his mind and body are already completely broken.
  5. Coffin-Bearer | Maurice: A man who continued to collect corpses on the streets of Temurat at dusk. A mud-like monstrosity that was once his family writhes inside the iron coffin he carries on his back. By slamming the coffin against enemies, he sucks up their blood and feeds it to the creature inside.
  6. Thread-Torn | Oscar: A deranged taxidermist who sews the flesh of beasts from all eras and regions directly onto his own body. During battle, he seizes enemy tissue and uses it to eerily patch and reinforce himself. Through the accumulation of tainted power, he transforms his own body into that of an ancient, rare beast.
  7. Mud-Treader | Ulan: A female warrior who gained superhuman leg strength through human experimentation. Filthy blood constantly gushes from her ankles, and a red, poisonous swamp forms wherever she runs.
  8. Candle-Snuffer | Isabel: A former waitress at the Siltera Noble Mansion. She possesses the ability to materialize shadows and trap her enemies’ blood within them to drain it. All light vanishes from the places she passes through.
  9. Gut-Rinner | Randolph: An assault trooper of the Sampere Weapons Corps. Equipped with a back-mounted mechanism that allows him to fly freely and a massive piercing spear, he rips through his opponents’ flesh and blood along with their armor. His abdomen is heavily mechanized, enabling him to unleash devastating wide-area attacks using bloodlust as a catalyst.
  10. Gazer-of-Flesh | Yuri: A heretical observer who cut off his own eyelids. He possesses the ability to intensify a target’s blood flow simply by fixing his gaze on them, causing their body to explode from within.
  11. Ash-Crown | Camilla: A girl whose clan was burned to the ground. She wields “blood ash”—a mixture of the victims’ ashes and her own blood—to petrify and crystallize her enemies before shattering them.
  12. Rust-Gospel | Baldur: A former priest of Kinmitsu who has stuffed his mouth with large amounts of scrap iron and needles. Every time he utters a prayer, his mouth is torn apart, and the mist of blood he spits out becomes a powerful attack.
  13. Dusk-Silt | Elsa: A woman whose Dusk Disease has progressed to its final stage. When attacked, her body transforms into a blood-mud-like substance, allowing her to evade attacks and flow freely before injecting her own poisonous blood directly into her opponent’s body.
  14. First-Shard | Nameless Shadow: An imperfect mass of flesh known as “First Blood,” incapable of understanding language and lacking any sense of its own origins. It is a cursed being that eerily mimics and unleashes the techniques of every bloodline.

When Is The Duskbloods Network Test?

The Duskbloods Gameplay Screenshot
Screenshot: FromSoftware

While this leak appears to come from dataminers, we still caution everyone to take it with a major grain of salt. That said, we should learn whether the information is legitimate in just a few days, as The Duskbloods’ first playable beta goes live this week.

The first The Duskbloods network test session begins on Friday, August 21, 2026, and runs from 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM PDT. FromSoftware will hold multiple test sessions throughout the weekend, with the final one running on Sunday, August 23, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM PDT. The network test should give players their first opportunity to see how many of these leaked characters actually appear in the game.

The post The Duskbloods Character Classes Leaked Before Network Test appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: FromSoftware

Screenshot: FromSoftware

Screenshot: FromSoftware

Lost VHS promos from the twilight of the arcade era

18 August 2026 at 00:40
Photo: Brian Peek

Brian Peek scanned and shared his collection of gaming promotional VHS cassettes, including five that Atari Games sent to arcade operators in the 1990s.

Peek inherited the tapes from his dad, who ran a gaming center and received them from Atari Games' then-parent company Midway. — Read the rest

The post Lost VHS promos from the twilight of the arcade era appeared first on Boing Boing.

Magic: The Gathering Just Released Five New The Hobbit Drops With Super Rare Cards and Art

17 August 2026 at 21:57

Magic: The Gathering players can now attempt to order five different brand-new products as part of the latest The Hobbit-themed superdrop.

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop

Magic: The Gathering’s latest Secret Lair drop went live today and brought a ton of new The Hobbit-themed cards out to tempt Lord of the Rings fans with limited quantity rare products.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop went live for pre-orders this morning and actually includes five unique products, each with a different theme and art style.

Here is a full breakdown of each product and which Magic: The Gathering cards players can find in them:

  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen
    • 1x Arcane Heist, 1x Contentious Plan, 1x Curiosity, 1x Solve the Equation, 1x Windfall
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Second Breakfast and Beyond
    • 7x Food Token
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Over the Edge of the Wild
    • 1x Cloudshift, 1x Tocasia’s Welcome as “Quite a Merry Gathering”, 1x Stony Silence, 1x Imp’s Mischief, 1x Seize the Spoils
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Smaug’s Spoils
    • 1x Fellwar Stone as “Erebor Heirloom”, 1x Lightning Greaves, 1x Liquimetal Torque, 1x Sol Ring, 1x Thought Vessel
  • Secret Lair x The Hobbit: Desolation
    • 1x Defile, 1x Diabolic Intent, 1x Dread Return, 1x Mirkwood Bats, 1x Read the Bones

Secret Lair x The Hobbit: He Who Walks Unseen will be available exclusively in Out of Sight edition for $59.99, while all other Secret Lair x The Hobbit drops will be available in Foil ($39.99) and Non-Foil ($29.99) while supplies last.

For every $199 spent, orders will also come with a promo Arcane Signet as “Heart of the Mountain”, featuring the gemstone found deep beneath the Lonely Mountain, while supplies last.

As always, Secret Lair drops are really targetted for the collectible and superfan market and the average Magic: The Gathering player probably won’t make a grab for these products unless there happens to be a particular hard to find card in one that they’ve been searching for.

The A Marvelous Mathoms Superdrop follows the recent Secret Lair Commander Deck: Hatsune Miku which went up for sale on August 10. That first of its find Secret Lair Commander Deck ended up being incredibly successful thanks to the popularity surrounding both the 100-card format and Hatsune Miku.

It will be very interesting to see how well these The Hobbit products sell now that they have the spotlight. 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.

The post Magic: The Gathering Just Released Five New The Hobbit Drops With Super Rare Cards and Art appeared first on VICE.

This compact Glorious mechanical keyboard is just $35

17 August 2026 at 21:27
The discounted GMMK 3 doesn’t include the pictured wrist rest. | Image: Glorious

Are you curious about custom mechanical keyboards, but don’t want to spend hundreds just to get started without being sure you’ll enjoy the hobby? You can grab the 65-percent Glorious GMMK 3 mechanical keyboard at Woot for $34.99 (usually $139.99) by entering the coupon code WOOTGAMING at checkout, and first-time Woot customers will get an extra $5 off when using the same code.

It’s a well-equipped keyboard out of the box, particularly for this price, and with its support for swappable switches, it’s a great platform for exploring keycap and switch options from different makers. It’s wired only, includes a full set of double-shot PBT keycaps for both Windows and macOS, and comes with linear Glorious Fox switches pre-installed.

Glorious GMMK 3 65 Percent

Where to Buy:

As a 65 percent mechanical keyboard, the layout favors just the essentials to keep a compact footprint. That means dropping the row of dedicated function keys, and limiting the extra buttons to standard modifiers, plus a couple of spare buttons for page up and down. There are still arrow keys for gaming and OS navigation, and a customizable knob for volume or media controls. Under the hood, the aluminum plate and gasket system are modifiable and upgradeable, letting you dial in the typing experience and sound.

Wordle meets Clippy in this new word game

17 August 2026 at 21:03
A screenshot from the video game Dartwords.

Like many of us, Sam Rosenthal plays games like Wordle every day, chasing after good scores and sharing the results with friends and family. But he's also a game designer, the creative director at Blaseball developer The Game Band, and so this regular habit got him thinking about what else could be done in the space. "When I was a kid and I played word games with my family, they weren't the New York Times puzzle games," Rosenthal explains. "We were sitting in a car on a road trip playing these really loose games that couldn't be made digitally before. Things like the alphabet game or our own riffs on 20 questions. That felt like a really int …

Read the full story at The Verge.

The Analogue Pocket gets a Supreme makeover in red or gold

17 August 2026 at 18:40

Analogue and Supreme are teaming up to release metallic versions of the Analogue Pocket handheld in red and gold as part of Supreme's fall / winter 2026 collection.

Here's how they're described on Supreme's website:

Metallic portable handheld multi-video-game-system. Unibody aluminum with 24K Gold-plated and custom red glossy finishes.

They also have a Supreme logo on the front and the back. I dig the colors, but not the logos. (But I'm not really a Supreme guy.)

No price is currently listed on the website for the handhelds. We've asked Analogue and Supreme how much they'll cost. A standard Pocket costs $239.99.

Supreme's fall / winte …

Read the full story at The Verge.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants Leaked for Chapter 7 Season 4

17 August 2026 at 19:07

New Fortnite Sprite Variants are reportedly being added in Chapter 7 Season 4 following the August 20 update. According to dataminers, Fortnite Override will not only feature new Fortnite Sprites, but players will have even more variants to track down if they want to complete their collection. Sprites have also received a major redesign for the new season.

New Fortnite Sprite Variants Are Coming in Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Override Sprite Variants
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games recently revealed the 8 new Fortnite Sprites being added in Chapter 7 Season 4. However, up to this point, it wasn’t clear whether Sprite Variants would also be returning. Would we have to hunt down Gummy, Galaxy, and Gem variants in Fortnite Override again? If a new leak is to be believed, there will actually be even more variants to collect next season.

This latest update comes from FNBRIntel, who claims that Epic is adding new Fortnite Sprite variants in Chapter 7 Season 4. “Sprites will still have variants in Season 4, including new ones!” Interestingly, this seems to imply that all seven Sprite Variants from Chapter 7 Season 3 will also be returning.

Here is a list of the Fortnite Sprite Variants potentially returning in Chapter 7 Season 4:

  • Gold
  • Gummy
  • Galaxy
  • Gem
  • Holofoil
  • Cube
  • Quack
  • New Chapter 7 Season 4 Variants

Of course, the biggest mystery is what the new Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprite Variants will actually look like. With Fortnite Override launching on August 20, we fortunately shouldn’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Fortnite Sprites Have a New Design in Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 New Sprite Designs
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Override trailer also appears to confirm that Sprites are getting a new redesign in Chapter 7 Season 4. In the new gameplay footage, the Sprites appear to be cubes that look like backpacks.

For example, there is a scene where Jonesy picks up the Fortnite Sonic Sprite. However, instead of the cute Sprite hovering over the player’s back, it now looks like a blocky backpack that is strapped to you.

The new Fortnite Sprite look might be in reference to Fortnite Override’s gaming legends theme. After all, the season has a Tetris crossover and features many pixel/cube-based gaming aesthetics.

Fortnite Sonic Sprite Power Trailer
Screenshot: Epic Games

At the time of writing, it’s unclear if all Fortnite Sprites in Chapter 7 Season 4 will have the new cube-look design. However, the 8 new Sprites revealed so far do appear to have this new look. With new Sprites, additional variants, and a complete redesign, it looks like collectors will have plenty to track down when Fortnite Override launches on August 20.

The post New Fortnite Sprite Variants Leaked for Chapter 7 Season 4 appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games
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