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Dungeons and Dragons Reveals Three New Underdark-Themed Subclasses

20 August 2026 at 21:18

The latest Unearthed Arcana has arrived and offers Dungeons and Dragons players three brand-new subclasses to experiment with.

UnderDark Options Introduces Three New D&D Subclasses

Screenshot: Wizards of the Coast
Screenshot: Wizards of the Coast

Arcana Unleashed is all set to drop a ton of new content on the Dungeons and Dragons community when it releases in early September, but players who want to brew a new character right now don’t need to wait any longer.

The latest Dungeons and Dragons Unearthed Arcana playtest content has arrived a few weeks ahead of Arcana Unleashed and the Underdark-themed player options are full of exciting new opportunities.

The biggest highlight of the new materials are the three new subclasses for players to test out:

  • Path of Unlight Barbarian
  • House Agent Rogue
  • Imaskarcanist Wizards

Here is a preview of what each subclass is all about, but players can dive into the full Unearthed Arcana materials to read all the specific rules:

Path of Unlight
Unlight is a mysterious and powerful form of magic originating in the lowest depths of the Underdark, among the people of Deep Imaskar. Unlight does not merely banish darkness from the Underdark; it infects those exposed to it, transforming them and making them both physically strong and supernaturally aggressive. In other words, Unlight exposure is a perfect match for the Barbarian class.

A Barbarian on this path has been infected by Unlight, which is associated with Radiant damage. When the Barbarian rages, Unlight bursts from their body, burning enemies and illuminating the darkness. More importantly, the Barbarian can infect enemies with Unlight, causing them to continuously burn. In D&D 5.5, a Barbarian’s Rage can also have uses outside of combat, and the Path of Unlight reflects that by granting a raging Barbarian Blindsight and Expertise in Perception, as they become supernaturally aware of everything illuminated by the Unlight emitted by the Barbarian’s own body.

House Agent (Rogue)
House Agents work as spies for one of the powerful drow houses of Menzoberranzan, where deception and intrigue are so commonplace as to be expected. These Rogues excel at social infiltration by charming their way into a place, extracting information from a fool with a loose tongue, and backstabbing enemies on the way out. Their house sponsor also gives them a bit of magic to assist them on these missions.

Rogues are known for leveraging their reliable skillsets. This Rogue’s skillset is primarily social. Its subclass features incentivize building relationships with NPCs and either manipulating or backstabbing them.

Many of the subclass’s abilities loop through the Attitude and Influence systems: you gain Advantage (and therefore Sneak Attack!) on Friendly creatures. You don’t suffer penalties when you try to use the Influence action on Hostile creatures. You can use the Influence action as a Bonus action. This makes the House Agent’s silver tongue an asset both during and outside of combat!

Imaskarcanist
The Imaskarcanist subclass describes Wizards following in the traditions of Deep Imaskar, located in the lowest levels of the Underdark and first described in 2003’s Underdark, a book for D&D’s 3rd edition. In that book, Deep Imaskar is protected by the Great Seal, an enormous magical ward which also illuminates the city and sheds light strong enough to grow food. In the years since, the magic of the Great Seal—now known as Unlight—has split into two competing strands, each taught by one of the Imaskarcana, intelligent artifacts sacred to the people of Deep Imaskar.

The Imaskarcanist is a master of both these strands of magic, using Unlight both to heal and to harm. On one hand, they can bolster allies with the invigorating magic of Unlight, but they can also infect enemies with Unlight’s burning radiance, causing them to explode when killed! But Unlight burns the Wizard’s inner life force, represented in the game by the Wizard expending their own Hit Point Dice to fuel their abilities. Imaskarcanists also retain other secrets of Deep Imaskar, such as a facility with magic items and knowledge they use to create powerful wards like the Great Seal.

All three subclasses sound like they are full of interesting flavor and could be used to make characters for an Underdark-themed campaign. Additionally, the options could easily be used for a campaign in a traditional setting and the characters would just have a background story related to the Underdark.

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

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 Reveals Three New Underdark-Themed Subclasses appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Wizards of the Coast

Riot is ending development on its League of Legends fighting game

20 August 2026 at 21:59
A screenshot from Riot Games’ 2XKO.

Riot Games is already winding down work on 2XKO, the free-to-play League of Legends fighting game, less than a year after its initial launch. Riot says "active development" will conclude at the end of 2026 because the company hasn't "seen enough players stick with the game to get to a path toward sustainability." Servers will stay online "beyond 2026," and Riot is unlocking all playable characters and refunding money spent on the game.

2XKO launched in an early access beta on PC in October 2025 and hit PS5 and Xbox Series X / S in January. But shortly after, Riot announced it would be cutting staff working on the game, saying at the time t …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Australia says Roblox hasn’t fixed its child predator problem

20 August 2026 at 19:42
Illustration of the Roblox wordmark logo in green

Roblox is promising more changes to its child safety features following testing from Australia's online safety regulator, eSafety.

eSafety has been looking into concerns that the company hasn't been in compliance with Australia's Online Safety Act, including "allegedly failing to have sufficient measures in place to prevent contact between adults and children under 16." While Roblox has put some new safety measures in place, eSafety's testing this year found that the platform "continued to put children at risk, including allowing contact between children and adult strangers."

eSafety's testing found that:

adults could send connection req …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Gameplay Trailer Confirms New Dimension

20 August 2026 at 19:31

A new gameplay trailer for Minecraft Dungeons 2 just released and confirmed more details about the mystery portals that have been teased and where they lead to in the game.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 Reveals the Sift

Minecraft Dungeons 2 is just a little more than a month away and players are now able to get an even closer look at what sort of adventures are in store for them when the dungeon crawler arrives.

Mojang and Xbox Game Studios released a new gameplay footage trailer today that features a party of players leaping through a portal together into a new dimension called the Sift. Once they arrive there, the party finds some adorable creatures at first, but things quickly take a turn for the violent as monsters appears and action ensues.

“Players who step through the rifts will enter the Sift, an entirely new dimension coming to Minecraft Dungeons II! This dimension is equally strange and beautiful, bringing powerful and mysterious threats as well as landscapes that will stop you in your tracks.”

The gameplay footage trailer reveals that players who enter the Sift will be able to:

  • Face new foes
  • Team up with friends
  • Customize your gear
  • Fight explosive battles

For those who aren’t familiar with the spin-off series Minecraft Dungeons 2 is the sequel to 2020’s Minecraft Dungeons. The game is an action-RPG and dungeon crawler set in the aesthetically familiar Minecraft universe.

Although the game’s world and characters are unmistakably Minecraft, this spin-off series doesn’t feature any of the mining or building that the original game is most well-known for. Instead, it’s fully focused on defeating enemies, leveling up, and finding exciting loot to make your character more powerful and ready for the next scary dungeon crawl.

The original game was a commercial success and holds a Very Positive review average on Steam based on more than 7,000 user ratings. It will be very exciting to see what new attractions the sequel brings to the table and if the spin-off series can still attract an audience six years after its first installment.

Leadership at Xbox has made it clear that Minecraft is a highly valuable franchise, so it’s not surprising to see the teams looking for more ways to capitalize on the IP popularity and expand the Minecraft universe and fanbase in new directions.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons 2 news and updates.

Minecraft Dungeons 2 releases on September 29, 2026 for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles.

The post Minecraft Dungeons 2 Gameplay Trailer Confirms New Dimension appeared first on VICE.

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Minecraft Dungeons 2 releases a new trailer that reveals the game's mysterious dimension and offers a closer look at gameplay.

Roll20 Confirms New Dungeons and Dragons Features Rolling Out Soon

20 August 2026 at 19:11

Roll20, one of the most popular virtual tabletop options on the market, is preparing to roll out a handful of exciting new features for Dungeons and Dragons players and DMs.

Roll20 D&D Is Adding New Features and Performance Updates

Roll20 is constantly making tweaks and enhancements to its VTT and a new update from the team offers some insight into what the next big patches will focus on. A handful of exciting updates are coming to the tools used to support Dungeons and Dragons fifth edition.

First off, there are some performance enhancements on the way to launch improvements to initial load times, sheet interactions, and dice rolls. This series of changes should make play go more smoothly for players and DMs.

  • Phase 2 of the D&D sheet performance updates, planned to release in the coming weeks. This is where we expect the most optimizations you will actually feel while playing.
  • A new Compendium Service, further out on the roadmap, which will speed up the multiple services connected for game system data.
  • A data cleanup process to clear unused data stored on individual sheets, plus later work to process rolls without sending the extra data at all.

Additionally, the update offered another look at the D&D Shop Sheet that is currently in alpha access.

“The D&D Shop Sheet lets you quickly generate shops and treasure chests filled with inventory. It’s still in early access, but is about to get its biggest update yet: sheet-to-sheet item transfers! Buy something in the Shop and it lands straight on your character sheet! Pro and Elite subscribers will get access to this a little later this summer. Stay tuned!”

A Light Mode option for D&D Character Sheets is now in the final testing phases. This feature is aiming to officially launch in the next few weeks. Players who prefer the Stylus light mode extension will still be able to utilize that option instead.

Finally, after being in beta testing for most of the summer, the “Print to PDF” feature for D&D character sheets is now finished testing and officially updated to version 1.0. This feature allows players to build their character in Roll20 and then easily print it for in person gaming sessions.

Roll20 is always adding new features and gathering feedback about additional enhancements, so players should be sure to keep an eye out for additional updates and teasers in the near future.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Roll20 and Dungeons and Dragons news and updates.

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

The post Roll20 Confirms New Dungeons and Dragons Features Rolling Out Soon appeared first on VICE.

FromSoftware can do anything

20 August 2026 at 16:00
A screenshot from the video game The Duskbloods.

There's something just a little bit different about FromSoftware's office in Tokyo. Like with any other successful video game studio, there's extensive security to get in the door, a minimalist lobby with framed posters from the studio's most recent releases, and a large glass display case filled with statues from ceremonies ranging from the BAFTAs to The Game Awards. But the hallways are painted black, a fitting theme for a developer known for crafting dark, gothic worlds and a hint at what new creations are lurking inside.

While it has largely become known for a singular style of action game - dubbed "Soulslike," after the massively influ …

Read the full story at The Verge.

We played The Duskbloods, the Switch 2’s wildest new exclusive

20 August 2026 at 16:00
A screenshot from the video game The Duskbloods.

The Duskbloods is a world away from the approachable games Nintendo is known for. But for its next Switch 2 exclusive, the company has partnered with Elden Ring developer FromSoftware on a hardcore multiplayer game about vampires. And after spending a few hours playing through its gothic world at FromSoft's offices in Tokyo, I'm convinced that The Duskbloods could end up being one of the most important exclusives for Nintendo's latest console.

It's a notable change for the company. People buy Nintendo consoles for Nintendo games. That's a generally accepted truth, and also one that's backed up by data - a quick glance at the bestselling gam …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Xbox Insiders Program Teases Upcoming Improvements to the Console Experience

20 August 2026 at 15:38

A new list of preview features just rolled out for Xbox Insiders and teased a sneak peek at what updates might be coming to the console experience for everyone in the near future.

Xbox Insiders Program Rolls Out Home Experience Updates

The Xbox Insiders program offers select Xbox users early access to select platform features before they roll out more widely to the general audience. The latest set of updates for Xbox Insiders just dropped and now all players can get an early preview of what enhancements are on the way.

The new update is live for Xbox Insiders now and the new features can be accessed by members right away. This update focuses on the Home experience and giving players more control over the look and feel of that part of the Xbox UI.

Most features will first roll out to Alpha Skip-Ahead and Alpha members, with select updates available to everyone starting today.

With the latest update, players can now remove any item in the Recent Games and Apps list using the Menu button, including the Play History tile, making it easier to keep Home focused on what matters most to you.

Xbox Insiders can also try a new immersive background mode that lets your dynamic or custom background take center stage. Simply press the right thumbstick button on your controller from anywhere on Home to fade away the UI and enjoy your background without distractions. Press any button to return to Home and pick up where you left off.

Outside of the Home experience updates, this new rollout also includes some ways to test out giving more control over local game save storage to players. Starting today, Xbox Insiders can view, sort, and delete local game saves that aren’t currently in use, helping you make space for the games you’re currently playing.

To get started, go to Settings > System > Storage > Manage local game saves or access the feature directly if you receive a notification that there’s not enough space to create a new game save.

The update also includes an update to Profile Badges. This feature allows Insiders to view detailed information for every badge displayed on a profile, including high-resolution artwork and details about when and how it was unlocked.

Lastly, one final tweak makes it so that purchased games will automatically be removed from your wishlist.

That covers everything in this round of updates. Players will have to keep an eye out for a future update that could bring these features to the general audience.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more news and updates on all things Xbox.

The post Xbox Insiders Program Teases Upcoming Improvements to the Console Experience appeared first on VICE.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Revealed: All Sprites, Weapons, Map Changes and Lobby Hacks

20 August 2026 at 08:05

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 will let players hack matches using Cheat Codes, Override Consoles, and special Power-Ups. Here is everything you need to know about Fortnite Override, including its new weapons, Sprites, map POI’s, Battle Pass, and gaming collabs.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Cheat Codes and Override Consoles Explained

Fortnite Override Hacking
Screenshot: Epic Games

The biggest feature of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 is hacking. In every match, players will be able to find Cheat Codes that appear across the map and activate them using special Override Consoles. However, these codes don’t just impact you – they actually affect every player in the match as they rewrite the rules for the entire server.

That said, you will need to find and capture an Override Console before other players get to it first. When a player takes control, their name will be displayed around the base of the console so that the entire lobby knows who activated it.

Here is a quick breakdown of how the new Fortnite Override mechanic works:

How Fortnite Override Consoles Work

Fortnite Override Start Times
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Override Consoles appear in every Battle Royale match.
  • Players can find Cheat Codes hidden across the island.
  • Cheat Codes can be activated to change the rules of the match.
  • Some Overrides affect the entire server.
  • Your name is displayed around the console when you take control.
  • Rare Squad Overrides only buff the first squad that reaches them.
  • Activating a Squad Override broadcasts your location on the map.
  • Players can also track down Power-Ups across the Island.

All Fortnite Override Cheats

OverrideCheat
Sonic SpeedIncrease your sprint speed over time
More XPGain More XP from Eliminations, looting and surviving the storm
Loot HackYou’ll get a look hack item from the next Chest you open
Extra LifeRespawn when on the bring of elimination one time
Big FishMakes all Fishing Holes golden
Constant HealGain constant health and shield regen over time when not in combat
Infinite StaminaGain Infinite Stamina
HeadshotDeal Increased headshot damage
OvershieldGain extra, or a new Overshield
Speed ShooterYour weapons fire and reload faster
Big LootHigher chance to get Epic or Legendary loot from chests
Power PickaxePickaxe hits deal massive damage

Fortnite Lobby Hacks Explained

Fortnite Lobby Hacks Chapter 7 Season 4
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 is also introducing Lobby Hacks. Unlike Cheat Codes found during matches, Lobby Hacks are real-life codes that can be entered directly through the game’s lobby menu to earn rewards.

Epic Games will distribute Lobby Hack codes through social media, promotions, and real-world campaigns throughout the season. Players can then redeem them in Fortnite to unlock special in-game bonus rewards such a XP, Sprite Dust, and even Sprite Variants!

All Fortnite Lobby Hacks Codes Available So Far

  • 8BitBlast
  • O2Override
  • PerfectOrder
  • SurviveTheNight
  • TakeYourHeart
  • LetsBlockAndRoll
  • DontBlockMe
  • IWannaFlyHigh
  • GottaGoFast
  • Magilume
  • Borntoplay
  • BEMOREALIEN
  • Chispambo
  • abgestaubt
  • REACHYOURIMPOSSIBLE
  • Perlimpinpin

As a result, players will want to keep an eye on official Fortnite social media accounts during the season. Lobby Hacks could appear almost anywhere. For example, several of the codes were already given out through collaborations and partnerships with other companies, making them a real-world extension of the season’s hacking theme.


Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Weapons and items

Fortnite Override Megaman Collab
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 will introduce several new weapons inspired by gaming legends. Two of the biggest additions coming to the battle royale are the Midas’ Masterpiece and Mega Man’s Mega Buster.

Midas’ Masterpiece is a powerful pistol capable of instantly eliminating an opponent with a single headshot. Players will also be able to equip Mega Man’s legendary arm cannon and use it to take enemies offline.

For your convenience, here is a list of the new Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 weapons confirmed so far:

New Fortnite Override Weapons

Fortnite Override Retro Shotgun
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Midas’ Masterpiece: A powerful golden pistol capable of one-headshot instagibs.
  • Mega Buster: Mega Man’s legendary arm cannon that lets players charge up and blast enemies.
  • Sonic Power Sneakers: Perform Sonic’s signature Spin Dash or launch into an airborne Spin Attack.
  • Tetris Rift: Toss down Tetris blocks to create instant cover during a fight.
  • Retro Shotgun: (Name of weapon and power is currently unknown. However, the new shotgun was featured in the Fortnite Override trailer).

Weapons Coming Later in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Weapons
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Kingdom Key: Sora’s iconic Keyblade from Kingdom Hearts.
  • Rebecca’s Guns: A dual-wielded assault rifle and SMG inspired by Rebecca from Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Loot Pool (Unvaulted)

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Loot Pool
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Pump Shotgun
  • Assault Rifle
  • Ranger Assault Rifle
  • Drum Gun
  • Minigun
  • Tactical Pistol
  • Dual Pistols
  • Oni Shotgun
  • Flare Gun
  • Bass Boost
  • Overdrive Grenade
  • Chug Splash

Epic Games has also teased additional weapons and items arriving throughout the season. A complete list of new and unvaulted weapons will be featured in the Override Community Update Notes.


Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Map Changes Explained

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Map Final
Screenshot: Epic Games

The Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 map will feature several new POI locations inspired by iconic video game franchises. One of the biggest additions is Green Hill Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog.

Players will be able to race through Green Hill Zone using Sonic Power Sneakers, turning one of gaming’s most iconic levels into a playable Battle Royale location. Epic Games has also confirmed that players will be able to visit Pac-Man Island. Although it’s currently not clear where it’s located.

All Fortnite Override POI’S

Here are the new Fortnite Override POI’s confirmed so far:

Green Hill Zone

Fortnite Green Hill Zone POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Pac-Man Island

Fortnite Pac-Man Island POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Stone Sanctum (Formerly Sinister Strip)

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Temple POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Mega Arcade POI (Formerly Frosted Flats)

Fortnite Epic Mega Arcade POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Reality’s Reign (Formerly Zero Point)

Fortnite Override Zero Point POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Sunken Shores Tetris POI

Fortnite Sunken Shores Tetris POI
Screenshot: Epic Games

Interestingly, there are also several Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 POI’s that have been removed from the Fortnite Override map, which we’ll list below:

  • Sinister Strip
  • Calamari Canyon
  • Frosted Flats

All New Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites

All Fortnite Sprites Chapter 7 Season 4
Screenshot: Epic Games

Sprites are officially returning in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. However, Override will introduce a completely new generation of Sprites with different gameplay abilities. One of the first confirmed additions is the Tails Sprite, which helps players hover in the air.

Players will be able to catch other new Sprites throughout the season and add them to their collection. Here is a full list of all Fortnite Override Sprites:

  • Klombo Sprite: Grants random items at each level.
  • Sonic Sprite: Gotta Go Fast! Sprint faster.
  • Tails Sprite: Hover in the air with the help of Tails.
  • Shadow Sprite: Automatically reload weapons over time, even when unequipped.
  • Jackrabbit Sprite: Perform another jump while mid-air.
  • 8-Bit Sprite: Find an 8-Bit Shotgun in your first Chest and gain a core multiplier for it.
  • Crown Sprite: Gain extra Crown Wins after getting a Victory Royale. You can only level it up by winning matches.
  • Adventure Sprite: Upgrade a random item in your inventory at each level.
  • Bush Sprite: Spawns a Bush on you after a duration. At max level, gain a Bush on elimination.
  • Jonesy Sprite: After a short duration, recover some Health or Shield after being damaged.
  • Killswitch Sprite: Enter Hangtime with improved accuracy.

Thankfully, all of the Fortnite Sprites you collected during Chapter 7 Season 3 will carry over. Epic Games is also introducing a new Sprite Garden mode where you can play with your Sprites and show your collection to friends.

Fortnite Sprite Garden Mode

Fortnite Sprite Garden
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Sprites collected during Chapter 7 Season 3 will carry over.
  • Players can visit Sprite Garden to interact with their collection.
  • You can show off your collected Sprites to friends.
  • Chapter 7 Season 4 will introduce a new generation of Sprites.
  • New Sprites will have powers that can be used during Battle Royale matches.

This means your Chapter 7 Season 3 collection won’t disappear when Override begins. Instead, your old Sprites will remain available through Sprite Garden alongside the new variants introduced during Chapter 7 Season 4.

Fortnite Loot Hacks Explained

Fortnite Loot Hacks
Screenshot: Epic Games

Sprite Dust will also have a new purpose in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. As you unlock Sprites, you can spend your Sprite Dust on Loot Hacks that customize the items found inside your chests in the battle royale mode.

Loot Hacks allow you to add bonus items to Chest drops, including special loot that can’t be found anywhere else. This will give players more control over their loadouts before a match even begins.

How Fortnite Loot Hacks Work

  • Catching new Sprites adds Sprite Dust your account.
  • Sprite Dust can then be spent on Loot Hacks.
  • Loot Hacks customize what can drop from your Chests.
  • Players can add exclusive bonus items to the Battle Royale loot pool.
  • Some Loot Hack items cannot be found anywhere else.

Loot Hacks should make collecting Fortnite Sprites even more important in Chapter 7 Season 4. Instead of just being used to resummon sprites, your collection can now directly influence the weapons and items you find during future matches.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass Skins

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Characters
Screenshot: Epic Games

Sonic the Hedgehog headlines the Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass. Players who purchase the pass will automatically unlock the Fortnite Sonic skin alongside the Tails Sidekick and a lineup of original skins.

Players who purchase the Battle Pass before August 27 at 11:59 PM ET will also receive the Infiltrator Grace Crowne Outfit and matching accessories as a launch-week bonus. Here is the full list of Fortnite Override Battle Pass skins:

Complete Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass

  • K1TTYW1NS
  • Phantom
  • Grace Crowne
  • Geno
  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Mali
  • Wrixel
  • Bastian

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Bonuses

Fortnite Override Battle Pass Overview
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Sonic the Hedgehog Skin: Included in the Chapter 7 Season 4 Battle Pass.
  • Tails Sidekick: Included alongside Sonic.
  • Infiltrator Grace Crowne Outfit: Purchase the Battle Pass before August 27 at 11:59 PM ET.
  • Peril Peak Mali Outfit: Gift the Battle Pass to a friend, and both players will receive the Outfit and accessories.

The Peril Peak Mali promotion will remain available throughout the season. As long as you gift the Battle Pass to a friend before December 4, 2026, both accounts will receive the bonus Outfit and matching accessories.

All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Collabs

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start? Override Downtime Schedule
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Override is one of the most gaming-focused seasons Epic Games has ever released. As mentioned above, Sonic the Hedgehog will headline the Battle Pass, while a stacked lineup of additonal gaming characters will arrive in the Item Shop throughout Chapter 7 Season 4.

Here is every Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 collab confirmed so far:

  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Kingdom Hearts
  • Pac-Man
  • Mega Man
  • Persona 5 Royal
  • Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
  • 99 Nights in the Forest
  • Crash Bandicoot
  • Spyro the Dragon
  • Tetris

Sonic, Knuckles, and Shadow will appear as Android versions when they make their debut in Fortnite. Tails and Dr. Eggman will instead appear using their classic non-Android designs. Later in the season, players will be able to unlock additional Outfits from Persona 5 Royal, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and more.

Finally, the Kingdom Hearts collab will also introduce the Kingdom Key as a usable item, while Cyberpunk: Edgerunners will bring Rebecca’s dual-wielded assault rifle and SMG to the game. Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20, 2026. Additional weapons, items, Outfits, Lobby Hacks, and gaming collabs will be released throughout the season.

The post Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Revealed: All Sprites, Weapons, Map Changes and Lobby Hacks appeared first on VICE.

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All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites at Launch – Complete List

20 August 2026 at 08:02

A total of 36 new Fortnite Sprites will be available when Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20. The new collectibles include a Sonic Sprite, Tails Sprite, Adventure Sprite and many more. Here is every Fortnite Override sprite currently in the game after the v42.00 update goes live.

All Fortnite Override Sprites Added on August 20

All Fortnite Sprites Chapter 7 Season 4
Screenshot: Epic Games

When Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launches on August 20, it will introduce 11 new Sprites for players to collect. With variants included, there are a total of 36 sprites in Fortnite Override. Several of the new sprites were already revealed, including the Sonic Sprite and Tails Sprite, which have been featured heavily in the season’s marketing.

However, Epic Games has now revealed every new Fortnite Sprite being added in the Chapter 7 Season 4 v42.00 update. For your convenience, here is a complete list of all Fortnite Override Sprites available at launch and the powers they give players:

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites List

SpritePowers
Klombo SpriteGrants random items at each level. 
Sonic SpriteGotta Go Fast! Sprint faster.
Tails SpriteHover in the air with the help of Tails.
Shadow SpriteAutomatically reload weapons over time even when unequipped.
Jackrabbit SpritePerform anther jump while mid-air.
8-Bit SpriteFind an 8-Bit Shotgun in your first Chest and gain a core multiplier for it.
Crown SpriteGain extra Crown Wins after getting a Victory Royale. You can only level it up by winning matches.
Adventure SpriteUpgrade a random item in your inventory at each level.
Bush SpriteSpawns a Bush on you after a duration. At max level, gain a Bush on elimination. 
Jonesy SpriteAfter a short duration, recover some Health or Shield after being damaged.
Killswitch SpriteEnter Hangtime with improved accuracy.
Storm Scout SpriteApplies Overdrive after taking a certain amount of storm damage. Reveals future Storm Circles at max level.

All Sprite Variants

All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites
Screenshot: Epic Games, HYPEX

Cheat Master Sprite Variants

  • Cheat Master Crown Sprite
  • Cheat Master Klombo Sprite
  • Cheat Master Jackrabbit Sprite
  • Cheat Master Killswitch Sprite
  • Cheat Master Tails Sprite
  • Cheat Master Sonic Sprite
  • Cheat Master Shadow Sprite
  • Cheat Master 8-Bit Sprite
  • Cheat Master Bush Sprite
  • Cheat Master Adventure Sprite
  • Cheat Master Jonesy Sprite
  • Cheat Master Storm Scout Sprite

Gold Sprite Variants

  • Gold Crown Sprite
  • Gold Klombo Sprite
  • Gold Jackrabbit Sprite
  • Gold Killswitch Sprite
  • Gold Tails Sprite
  • Gold Sonic Sprite
  • Gold Shadow Sprite
  • Gold 8-Bit Sprite
  • Gold Bush Sprite
  • Gold Adventure Sprite
  • Gold Jonesy Sprite
  • Gold Storm Scout Sprite

Epic has also given us our first look at how every Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprite will look in-game. Here are images of every new Fortnite Override Sprite:

Sonic Sprite

Fortnite Sonic Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Tails Sprite

Fortnite Tails Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Shadow Sprite

Fortnite Shadow Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Klombo Sprite

Fortnite Klombo Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Jonesy Sprite

Fortnite Jonesy Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Bush Sprite

Fortnite Bush Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Killswitch Sprite

Fortnite Killswitch Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Adventure Sprite

Fortnite Adventure Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

8-Bit Sprite

Fortnite 8-Bit Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Jackrabbit Sprite

Fortnite Jackrabbit Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Crown Sprite

Fortnite Crown Sprite
Screenshot: Epic Games

All Fortnite Sprite Variants in Chapter 7 Season 4

Fortnite Override Gold Sprites
Screenshot: Epic Games

Epic Games has also confirmed that Fortnite Sprite Variants are returning in Chapter 7 Season 4. The first returning variant available during the new Fortnite Override season is the Gold Sprite. Just two days after launch, Epic will host the season’s first Fortnite Gold Hours Power Hour on Saturday, August 22

However, a new Cheat Master Sprite Variant will also make its debut in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4. Although at the time of writing, it’s unclear when this new Fortnite Override variant will be available in the game.

Cheat Master Shadow Sprite Fortnite
Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Sprites Quality of Life Improvements

Fortnite Sprite Changes Chapter 7 Season 4
Screenshot: Epic Games

Finally, Epic Games confirmed that several quality-of-life updates are coming to Fortnite Sprites in Chapter 7 Season 4. For example, players will now be able to see which Sprites they have already collected during a match, while Rare Sprites will cost significantly less Sprite Dust.

Here is everything changing for Fortnite Sprites in the Fortnite Override season:

  • You can now see in-match whether you’ve already collected a Sprite.
  • A Sprite’s name appears when you’re near it, so you know exactly which Sprite you’ve found.
  • Summoning rare Sprites and Variants now cost less Sprite Dust.
  • Reduced the button-hold time needed to summon a Sprite, getting your companion into the action quicker.

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Override officially launches on August 20, at 4am PT / 7 AM ET. The 11 new Sprites should be added once the new season goes live. However, some of the variants and Sprites included in the list might not be available on day one, and could be staggered out in the coming weeks.

The post All Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Sprites at Launch – Complete List 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

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Watch Valve set up the Steam Frame in its own leaked videos

19 August 2026 at 20:16
A screenshot from a leaked Steam Frame video

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

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

Read the full story at The Verge.

GTA VI keeps leaking ahead of its gameplay premiere

19 August 2026 at 19:03
A screenshot from GTA VI.

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

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

Read the full story at The Verge.

1999 PS1 RPG Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 This Week

19 August 2026 at 18:50

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Retro gaming fans are getting another classic late 90s RPG on modern consoles thanks to this week's Console Archives release.

Dungeons and Dragons – D&D Beyond Offers First Look at Enhanced DM Tools

19 August 2026 at 17:11

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

D&D Beyond Reveals DM Scene Prep and Custom Uploads

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dungeons and Dragons DMs who use D&D Beyond can now get an early look at a handful of big enhancements coming to the VTT soon.

The women’s soccer league trying to fix fantasy sports

19 August 2026 at 14:00
Render of three phones showing screenshots from the WSL fantasy football app
The WSL’s first official fantasy game is putting player photos front and center, which is less common than you might expect. | Image: WSL Football

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

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

Read the full story at The Verge.

Sonic Fortnite Skins Revealed – All Bundles and Release Date

19 August 2026 at 15:06

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

When Is the Sonic Fortnite Collab Release Date?

Sonic Fortnite Skin Battle Pass Promo
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

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

Sonic CosmeticHow to Get It
Sonic SkinFortnite Override Battle Pass ($8.99)
Tails SidekickFortnite Override Battle Pass ($8.99)
Dr. Eggman SkinFortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)
Shadow the Hedgehog SkinFortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)
Knuckles SkinFortnite Item Shop Bundle (TBA)

All Sonic Fortnite Bundle Cosmetics

Sonic Fortnite Cosmetic Items
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

Shadow and Knuckles Fortnite Bundle

Sonic Fortnite Shadow Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Shadow the Hedgehog Skin
  • Knuckles Skin
  • Two Back Blings
  • Two Pickaxes
  • Two Kicks
  • One Emote
  • Two Instruments
  • One Wrap

Dr. Eggman Fortnite Bundle

Fortnite Dr. Eggman Skin
Screenshot: Epic Games
  • Dr. Eggman Skin
  • One Back Bling
  • One Pickaxe
  • One Emote
  • One Instrument

How Much Will the Sonic Fortnite Skins Cost?

Sonic Fortnite Skins Price
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

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

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

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start? Override Downtime Schedule

19 August 2026 at 14:28

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

When Is Fortnite Downtime? Chapter 7 Season 3 End Times

Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Star Times
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

Fortnite Downtime Schedule (August 19–20)

RegionTime ZoneDateDowntime Start Time
US West CoastPTAugust 1911 PM
US MountainMTAugust 2012 AM
US CentralCTAugust 201 AM
US East CoastETAugust 202 AM
BrazilBRTAugust 203 AM
United KingdomBSTAugust 207 AM
Central EuropeCESTAugust 208 AM
Eastern EuropeEESTAugust 209 AM
South AfricaSASTAugust 208 AM
IndiaISTAugust 2011:30 AM
ChinaCSTAugust 202 PM
PhilippinesPHTAugust 202 PM
JapanJSTAugust 203 PM
South KoreaKSTAugust 203 PM
Australia East CoastAESTAugust 204 PM
New ZealandNZSTAugust 206 PM

When Does Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 Start?

Fortnite Override Start Times
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

Fortnite Override Start Times (August 20)

RegionTime ZoneDateChapter 7 Season 4 Start Time
US West CoastPTAugust 203 AM
US MountainMTAugust 204 AM
US CentralCTAugust 205 AM
US East CoastETAugust 206 AM
BrazilBRTAugust 207 AM
United KingdomBSTAugust 2011 AM
Central EuropeCESTAugust 2012 PM
Eastern EuropeEESTAugust 201 PM
South AfricaSASTAugust 2012 PM
IndiaISTAugust 203:30 PM
ChinaCSTAugust 206 PM
PhilippinesPHTAugust 206 PM
JapanJSTAugust 207 PM
South KoreaKSTAugust 207 PM
Australia East CoastAESTAugust 208 PM
New ZealandNZSTAugust 2010 PM

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

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

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

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Fortnite Gem Hours Start Times – Sprite Spree Week Schedule (August 19)

19 August 2026 at 13:15

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

What Time Does Fortnite Gem Hours Start Today?

Fortnite Gem Sprites Release Date, Locations & Powers
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

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

Fortnite Gem Hours Schedule for Every Region

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

All Fortnite Gem Hours Rewards and Bonuses

Fortnite Gem Sprites List
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

Here is every bonus available during Fortnite Gem Hours:

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

Which Sprites Are Featured During Fortnite Gem Hours?

All Fortnite Gem Sprites
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

Here are the Sprites featured during Fortnite Gem Hours:

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

How Long Does Fortnite Gem Hours Last?

Fortnite Sprite Dust Slashed
Screenshot: Epic Games

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

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

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

The post Fortnite Gem Hours Start Times – Sprite Spree Week Schedule (August 19) appeared first on VICE.

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

Screenshot: Epic Games

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.

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