If vibe coding is absolutely going to stick around, I'd rather have it used for goofy video game mods rather than, say, critical infrastructure. I categorically do not want Claude anywhere near the government or cybersecurity… but maybe, just maybe, things like ViceBounce are fine. — Read the rest

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BioWare is officially closing down after more than three decades of video game development on franchises like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and more.

BioWare Confirms That Development is Ending on The Next Mass Effect

Although BioWare and Electronic Arts had teased a new Mass Effect project back at the 2020 Game Awards, it sounds like the project is not going to have a chance to make it across the finish line.

A surprising post from BioWare arrived this afternoon and confirmed that after 30 years of work, the studio is closing and development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.

“For more than 30 years, BioWare has been more than a studio. It has been a home for storytellers, developers, and the players who brought our worlds to life.Baldur’s Gate. Neverwinter Nights. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Dragon Age. Mass Effect. Anthem.

Now, after more than three decades of shared adventures, BioWare is closing and early development on the next Mass Effect project is ending.

There is nothing easy about writing those words. Our focus right now is on our incredibly talented team who put their hearts into these games, and supporting one another through this transition.

What generations of BioWare built together is something to celebrate and remember. These games became so much more because you played them, debated your choices, fell in love with the characters, and made these worlds your own.

From all of us at BioWare, thank you for being the most meaningful part of our story.”

Bloomberg reported that Electronic Arts is laying off roughly 400 employees, closing down BioWare, and making the decision to cancel the next Mass Effect game.

Kotaku has also reported that, “a letter to EA staff also included the news that it would cancel a project related to The Sims franchise code-named Project Lotus, to instead focus on another project code-named Evergreen.”

At this point, it’s unclear what the future holds for the multiple powerful IP that existed under the BioWare umbrella. Hopefully this isn’t the end of Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and the others iconic games that the team developed over the last three decades.

Be sure to check back soon for more news and updates as additional details are revealed.

This is a developing story…

The post BioWare Is Shutting Down After 30 Years, and the Next ‘Mass Effect’ Is Canceled appeared first on VICE.

A little more than three decades after its console release, this retro local co-op vertical-scrolling shooting game is arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5.

Raiden Project Releases on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 October 22

This week’s addition to the Console Archives collection is an exciting two-for-one. The Raiden Project includes both Raiden and Raiden II. For those unfamiliar with these 1990s titles, they originally released as arcade titles, but were ported to home consoles and PCs in the mid 1990s.

“As a pilot of the ultra high-altitude fighter-bomber “RAIDEN” and “RAIDEN II”, fight to save Earth from the invasion of Alien that suddenly appeared! This title is a full-fledged vertical-scrolling shooting game that includes both “RAIDEN”, an arcade vertical-scrolling shooting game released in 1990 that gained explosive popularity, and “RAIDEN II”, which was released three years later and was also very popular.”

As always, the Console Archives release will attempt to recreate the original experience with a handful of modern conveniences and quality-of-life improvements for Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 owners.

The Console Archives version of Raiden Project will be available on either console for $11.99. Players should keep in mind that the game includes only the Japanese version; the English version is not included. That means that all in-game text is in Japanese only.

Additionally, if you are unable to find the games listed here in the online store, please be aware that these products may not be available in your area.

Here are some of the key features:

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

The Raiden Project is the latest in a string of popular releases in the Console Archives line. Other recent additions include The Drug Store, Crazy Climber, Bubble Bobble, and lots more.

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

The Console Archives version of Raiden Project releases on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 on October 22, 2026.

The post 1995 Scrolling Shooter Arrives on Modern Consoles This Week appeared first on VICE.

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Magic: The Gathering officially spoiled a ton of new cards from the upcoming Star Trek set this week, including a very exciting cycle of rare lands.

Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Brings Back Shock Lands

For competitive Magic: The Gathering players, one of the most exciting parts of every set reveal is seeing which rare land cycle will be featured. The upcoming Star Trek set isn’t disappointing, with the inclusion of all ten shock lands.

Shock lands are a powerful staple in many Magic: The Gathering formats and offer players early game access to two different color mana at the relatively inexpensive cost of 2 life.

The following lands have all been confirmed in the Star Trek set visual spoiler:

• Blood Crypt
• Breeding Pool
• Godless Shrine
• Hallowed Fountain
• Overgrown Tomb
• Sacred Foundry
• Steam Vents
• Stomping Grounds
• Temple Garden
• Watery Grave

Collectors will also be able to hunt down 10 special LCARS shock lands with unique art:

“Explore 10 different and strange new worlds with the 10 LCARS shock lands. Each LCARS shock land features a special frame that captures the Enterprise’s on-board computer, and the artwork depicts one of the many unforgettable planets explored in Star Trek. Whether you’re navigating Standard with Steam Vents or charting a course through Legacy with Watery Grave, you’ll want to add these lands to your personal database.”

Non-foil and traditional foil LCARS shock lands appear in Play Boosters and Collector Boosters. Surge foil versions of these cards appear only in Collector Boosters.

The inclusion of the full art LCARS shock lands is a very exciting addition that may add a bit of motivation for players to collect cards from this set, even if they already have a full set of shock lands from previous printings.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates as the Star Trek set release date approaches.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena. The Magic: The Gathering – Star Trek set releases November 13, 2026.

The post Magic: The The Gathering Star Trek Brings Back Incredibly Popular Rare Lands appeared first on VICE.

November is right around the corner and Pokemon GO players can now get an early look at the full event calendar and all the exciting Battle Raid bosses that are arriving in the coming month.

All Pokemon GO Events in November 2026

The fall is always an exciting time in Pokemon GO as the mobile app offers tons of events and activities to bring real-world holidays and celebrations into the game.

Pokemon GO players will be wrapping up their Halloween activities in the opening days of November and then quickly moving forward to a lot of other exciting events.

Here is a full breakdown of all confirmed November 2026 events:

• Halloween Part 2
  • November 1-5
• Into the Wild
  • November 9-13
• Global GO Wild Area
  • November 14-15
• Minior Showers: Leonidis
  • November 14-19
• Dynamax Trails
  • November 16-23
• November Community Day
  • November 21
• Twilight Wishes
  • November 24-30
• Super Mega Raid Day
  • November 28

Pokemon GO November 2026 Battle Raid Schedule

In addition to the busy event calendar, Pokemon GO players will also be able to spend November battling against exciting Battle Raid bosses. Here is a breakdown of all the confirmed bosses that are on the way:

Tier 5 Raids

• October 28 – November 3
  • Origin Giratina
• November 4-8
  • Altered Forme Giratina
• November 9-24
  • Cresselia
  • Darkrai
• November 25 – December 1
  • Normal Deoxys
  • Speed Deoxys
  • Attack Deoxys
  • Defense Deoxys

Shadow Raids

• Shadow Incarnate Forme Landorus will appear in weekend Shadow Raids through November 3.
• Shadow Incarnate Forme Tornadus will appear in weekend Shadow Raids from November 3 to December 1.

Mega Raids

• October 28 – November 8
  • Mega Sableye
• November 16 – 24
  • Mega Banette
• November 25 – December 1
  • Mega Metagross

November Raid Hours

• November 4
  • Altered Forme Giratina
• November 18
  • Cresselia
  • Darkrai
• November 25
  • Defense Deoxys
  • Normal Deoxys
  • Speed Deoxys
  • Attack Deoxys

That’s a ton of new information to take in, but it should give Pokemon GO players what they need to start preparing their calendars for the upcoming month of battles and events.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Pokemon GO news and update as the November events kick off.

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

The post Pokemon GO – Full November 2026 Event and Raid Schedule appeared first on VICE.

For Resident Evil fans, Nick Apostolides has one of the franchise’s most recognizable voices. He recently revealed he is expanding his interests beyond voice acting, including a foray into gaming that isn’t entirely unexpected for anyone familiar with the survival horror franchise, though it’s an exciting new angle for Nick to explore. 

After first voicing Leon Kennedy in the Resident Evil 2 remake, Nick returned to the character in the Resident Evil 4 remake and Resident Evil 9: Requiem, the franchise’s most recent entry. He has also brought Leon to life on Netflix in the animated series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness. In addition to voicing Leon, Nick also does motion capture for the character and others, including the truck driver in the opening cutscene of Resident Evil 2 (2019). 

His acting, including live-action work, and motion-capture credits go beyond the Resident Evil franchise. He has voiced Outer Wilds 2, the 2023 Dead Space remake, and one of his upcoming voice-acting projects is the pixel-art RPG Emberville. For motion capture and live-action roles, he worked on Madden NFL 2021 and the film Aftermath, where he played a character named Galotti. 

Now Nick is embarking on a new project, though details remain scarce. In a recent interview at IGN’s Fall Fan Fest, Nick said he’s developing a video game with his brother, Dave. He also shared that their father inspired the project. Nick has teased that zombies will feature heavily in the game, which isn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for him given his career highlights.

‘Resident Evil’ Star Nick Apostolides Teases a New Zombie Game With a Surprising Twist

Apart from the creepy creatures, Nick revealed only a few more hints. The game will likely be less intense than his Resident Evil past, and it seems like it will be a passion project created alongside his brother. He also described it as a “beat ’em up” game, meaning the gameplay could focus on the character, or characters, facing off against waves of enemies with melee combat or other weapons. 

He dropped another, especially interesting crumb when discussing the game with Angela Sant’Albano, his Requiem costar who voiced FBI agent Grace Ashcroft. He hinted that audiences might have to play as a “zombie animal”. With his previous work alone featuring a mutated alligator and vicious, bloodthirsty dogs, that could mean just about anything. 

Although Nick has a full schedule coming up, with convention appearances in London, Rhode Island, and Columbus on the docket alongside his acting work, hopefully fans will be able to learn more soon. Until then, they can always revisit that alligator. 

The post ‘Resident Evil’ Star Nick Apostolides Is Making His Own Zombie Video Game. Here’s Everything We Know. appeared first on VICE.

To say the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI game is highly anticipated is like saying water is wet. As of this month, estimated pre-orders have reached 6 million copies, with PS5 pre-orders accounting for 4.8 million alone. But is it possible that this latest addition to the Grand Theft Auto franchise could actually have a negative impact on the U.S. economy?

Waking up and going to work on GTA 6 release day might be a little difficult, knowing the game is sitting on the console or PC, ready to play and yet out of reach. Since the game has been in development in one stage or another for over ten years, impatience is understandable. And depending on a player’s schedule, both at work and at home, it’s possible that they may only eke out a few hours in the game before heading to bed. 

Those considerations might be at play as experts predict just how many people could call out of work on November 19. According to online reports, up to 1.5 million people might call in sick, utilize available vacation time, or cash in paid time off. Some companies, says the Wall Street Journal, have even incorporated the release date into their PTO packages. Either way, it seems that companies are bracing themselves for a weakened workforce, with swaths of employees taking the day off to dedicate themselves to this new Grand Theft Auto chapter. 

Experts predict millions could be calling out of work on ‘GTA 6’ release day

The first Grand Theft Auto game launched back in 1997, and since then the franchise has totaled billions of dollars in revenue and millions of copies sold. The most recent offering, Grand Theft Auto V, released in 2013 and brought in almost $10 billion in revenue to Rockstar Games. Grand Theft Auto games offer players the opportunity to explore an open world, from Liberty City, to San Andreas, and the most recent location, Vice City. Alongside the main storyline, each game has a variety of missions and side quests to complete, meaning there is multiple hours of gameplay available. 

In Grand Theft Auto VI, the story takes its inspiration from infamous couple Bonnie and Clyde, with protagonists Jason and Lucia choosing to work together to create a new life for themselves. For anyone familiar with Grand Theft Auto – or even just the title – it’s not surprising that this includes turning to crime. When things get dangerous, the pair has to lean on each other to survive. Players take control of Jason and Lucia respectively as the story develops, and in addition to the main story, there are side quests to take on, missions to execute, and activities to discover. 

With all that in mind, it seems that anticipation for Grand Theft Auto VI could have real economic consequences, and not just for the studio. But the enthusiasm is completely understandable, especially considering how long players have been waiting for the game to arrive. Add in an exciting new story, including Lucia in her unique role as a fully realized female protagonist, and players being eager to get started isn’t so surprising at all. 

The post ‘GTA 6’ Could Cause 1.5 Million Americans to Miss Work on Release Day, According to Experts appeared first on VICE.

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Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming Star Trek set brings a handful of new mechanics to the CCG like most sets do, but it will also be introducing two new Commander specific mechanics.

MAgic: The Gathering Star Trek’s Two Commander Specific Mechanics

Just about every Magic: The Gathering set features a handful of new and returning mechanics to shakeup the Limited and Constructed metagames, but not every set goes so far as to introduce new Commander mechanics.

Fans of the 100-card multiplayer format may be excited to learn that Magic: The Gathering – Star Trek is bringing two new mechanics to Commander this November.

Battlefront (Commander Only)
Battlefront is an ability word used to highlight abilities that care about the number of opponents you attacked this turn. This number will be used in different ways, depending on the specific battlefront ability. To attack an opponent means to declare one or more creatures as attacking that opponent. Creatures that enter the battlefield attacking won’t count. For example, if you attack a single opponent with a creature that has myriad, the number of opponents you attacked that turn is one, even though the token copies fanned out and went after each other opponent.

If there are multiple combats in a turn, battlefront abilities will remember who you’ve previously attacked. For example, say you’re in a game with three opponents, and in one combat phase you attack one opponent with Worf. Worf’s ability will trigger, and you’ll exile one card. If there’s another combat phase that turn and in that combat phase you attack the other two opponents, Worf’s ability will trigger again, this time exiling three cards
If instead in that additional combat you attack the same opponent you attacked in the first combat and one new opponent, Worf’s ability would exile two cards. Note that an opponent you attacked twice in a turn counts only once for battlefront abilities.

Seek Out (Commander Only)
Seek out is a new ability word that highlights triggered abilities that trigger whenever you draw your second card each turn. These abilities will trigger even if the permanent with the ability wasn’t under your control as you drew the first card.

So, if you draw Jean-Luc Picard, cast him, then draw a second card that turn, his seek out ability will trigger. Find a way to draw two cards during an opponent’s turn, and the ability will trigger again. Before you know it, your opponents will be left scrambling while you can relax behind a hand full of cards, a board full of colossal threats, and a nice cup of Earl Grey.

Once the full Commander decklists are revealed, it will be very exciting to see how Battlefront and Seek Out are put to use. Beyond the preconstructed decks, it will also be interesting to see how Commander players repurpose cards with these new mechanics into high-powered homebrew decks.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Magic: The Gathering news and updates as the Star Trek set release date approaches.

Magic: The Gathering is available now at local game shops and digitally through Magic Arena. The Magic: The Gathering – Star Trek set releases November 13, 2026.

The post Magic: The Gathering Star Trek Adds Two New Mechanics for Commander Players appeared first on VICE.

Dataminers have revealed the Obsession Fortnite skin early, giving us a preview of what Nikki looks like in the battle royale. Here is when Obsession comes to Fortnite, including release times, bundle items, and estimated cosmetic prices.

Obsession Fortnite Skin Revealed – First Look at Nikki

Back when the Obsession Fortnite collab was first announced, we only got a picture of the One Wish Willow in the Fortnitemares 2026 trailer. As a result, many players have been wondering when we would get to see what the Obsession Fortnite skin looks like. Well, thanks to datamine leaks, we don’t have to speculate anymore!

The Obsession Fortnite skin featuring Nikki has been fully revealed early by dataminers, who posted a showcase of the new cosmetics online. For your convenience, we have posted an HD image below to give you a first look at Nikki in-game:

Nikki Outfit

When Does Obsession Come to Fortnite? Release Date and Times

The Obsession Fortnite release date is Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The crossover only features one skin, which is Nikki. Just like the movie, the new Fortnite skin will recreate Nikki’s iconic frown animation and even features her “No No No” line as an emote.

The Nikki Fortnite skin will be available in the Item Shop at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET. Because of time zone differences, the crossover will arrive on October 22 in some regions. Here is a table showing when the Obsession Fortnite skin will be available in every major region:

Region	Release date	Release time
United States (Pacific)	Wednesday, October 21	5 PM PDT
United States (Eastern)	Wednesday, October 21	8 PM EDT
Brazil (Brasília)	Wednesday, October 21	9 PM BRT
United Kingdom	Thursday, October 22	1 AM BST
Central Europe	Thursday, October 22	2 AM CEST
South Africa	Thursday, October 22	2 AM SAST
United Arab Emirates	Thursday, October 22	4 AM GST
India	Thursday, October 22	5:30 AM IST
Singapore	Thursday, October 22	8 AM SGT
Japan	Thursday, October 22	9 AM JST
South Korea	Thursday, October 22	9 AM KST
Australia (Sydney)	Thursday, October 22	11 AM AEDT
New Zealand	Thursday, October 22	1 PM NZDT

Obsession Fortnite Bundle Items and Estimated Prices

Dataminers have also fully revealed everything included in the Obsession Fortnite bundle as well. The Fortnitemares 2026 crossover has many cosmetic references to the hit Curry Barker film, such as the One Wish Willow Back Bling and the broken bottle pickaxe.

In case you were wondering, no, Bear is not included, as the crossover only features one skin. Here is everything included in the Obsession Fortnite bundle and its estimated individual pricing:

Cosmetic	Item type	Estimated price
Nikki	Outfit	1,500 V-Bucks
One Wish Willow	Back Bling	800 V-Bucks
Nikki’s Broken Bottle	Pickaxe	400 V-Bucks
No No No…	Emote	500 V-Bucks

We estimate that the Obsession Fortnite bundle should cost between 1,600 to 2,000 V-Bucks with a the usual 40% discount new items get applied. That said, this is an estimate based on recent bundles, and not a final price.

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

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.

The post Fortnite Battle Pass Skins Leaked for November 2026 appeared first on VICE.

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.

The post Star Wars Battlefront 3 Reportedly Leaked appeared first on VICE.

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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

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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

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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.