Pinch Games expands its $2.99 chess game with simultaneous real-time chess and a never-before-seen buff progression system, all included in a single purchase

Pinch Games today released two new game modes for Chess Kingdom, its chess game currently in Early Access on Steam. The update introduces Kung Fu Chess, a simultaneous real-time variant where both players move without waiting for turns, and Kung Fu Chess Extreme, an original take on the format featuring a piece buff system built around classic chess theory.

In Kung Fu Chess, turns are removed entirely. Both players move simultaneously in real time: no waiting, no alternating. The game ends when a king is physically captured rather than checkmated, creating a fast, high-pressure experience that rewards timing and anticipation as much as strategy.

Kung Fu Chess Extreme builds on this foundation with a progressive buff system. As players move pieces, they fill a bar divided into five tiers, each tier unlocking an additional piece type that can execute a double move. The tier thresholds are based on classical chess piece values: pawns unlock first, followed by knights, bishops, rooks, and finally the queen. The buff bar fills continuously across the game, rewarding active play without resetting between tiers.

Both modes are available now within Quick Match alongside standard chess. Players can select their preferred variant before each game.

About Chess Kingdom

Chess Kingdom is a single-purchase chess game for PC on Steam priced at $2.99, featuring 34 AI opponents across a range of skill levels, a structured campaign mode designed to teach players the game from beginner to advanced, league play, puzzles, online multiplayer, and country-themed piece sets representing 33 nations. The game has been in Early Access since 1st of April 2026, receiving regular updates including AI improvements, UI redesigns, and new content based on player feedback.

Chess Kingdom is available on Steam at https://store.steampowered.com/app/4482480/Chess_Kingdom/

New DLC arriving for the petrifying prequel with very positive reviews, Dread Flats, on 30 April

HANGZHOU, China – 16 April 2026 – Dread Neighbor, the first-person psychological horror game and sequel to Dread Flats which sold more than 60,000 units in its first month, takes thriller fans on a heart-pounding experience via Steam starting Thursday, 7 May 2026. Indie studio ghostcase will release a brand new DLC for Dread Flats two weeks earlier on Thursday, 30 April 2026.

 Combat the constant feeling of unease evoked by a progressive loop system where subtle environmental shifts slowly erode any sense of safety and reality. Navigate high-pressure encounters in familiar environments brimming with darkness, tension, and suspense. 

Endure the terrifying duality of feeling alone, and constantly watched by an unseen observer. Get well acquainted with the normal routine of a young woman living by herself in the city – feeding the cat, commuting to work, going to bed, repeat. But normality is a distant hope in these seedy apartments. 

Expanding upon the popular demo, the full release will feature multi-perspective storytelling, new indoor and outdoor locations, as well as intense chase sequences. Experience an all-to-familiar tale from the perspective of multiple victims. Pierce through the dreadful noise to piece together the full story and confront the hard truths lying beneath the horror.

Dread Neighbor continues the developers signature focus on psychological pressure and immersive storytelling. It introduces new elements to this formula such as enhanced visuals and a dynamic narrative structure built to deliver a more grounded and oppressive experience transforming fear from a sudden shock into an inescapable state. 

“Dread Neighbor offers a twisted and extreme projection of the very real fear many people feel while living alone,” said developer ghostcase. “It evolves from a contained, oppressive experience into a more layered and complete psychological horror journey as you play.”

Dread Neighbor will launch on Windows PC via Steam on Thursday, 7 May 2026 for $5.99 USD/€6.15/ ¥790 with English, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Spanish – Spain, Russian, Japanese, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Portuguese – Brazil, and Portuguese – Portugal language support. 

To stay up to date, follow the developer on X, join the community on Discord, and search #DreadNeighbor on social media.

About ghostcase

ghostcase is a China-based indie game studio focused on first-person psychological horror experiences. Their previous title, Dread Flats, gained widespread attention for its immersive storytelling and atmosphere, and was described by some content creators as “the scariest game of 2025”.

Dread Neighbor builds upon that foundation, further refining presentation, structure, and realism to deliver a more grounded and emotionally intense experience.

The walls are closing in as Call of Duty®: Mobile Season 4 – Eternal Prison launches on April 22, bringing the beloved Rebirth Island map to both DMZ: Recon and Battle Royale. Gear up with a monstrous collaboration with Godzilla and Kong straight out of the Monsterverse, and progress through a new Battle Pass featuring the DP27 LMG and several monster hunter-themed Operator skins.

Rebirth Island arrives in DMZ: Recon packed with new features, including a High Danger Zone surrounding the prison that opens when players activate gate switches, a new dual-switch extraction mechanic that triggers a boss fight against Nikto on its first use, a submarine patrolling the shoreline ready to launch missiles at any operators in its sights, a new crafting system, and new Ultimate-tier loot based on the periodic table. Battle Royale also welcomes an updated Rebirth Island with graphical improvements alongside Resurgence gameplay, with the removal of limited respawns. Players can now expect to find UAV Towers, Contracts and Buy Stations throughout the map.

Season 4 brings a massive collaboration featuring the Titans themselves, Godzilla and Kong. The Godzilla x Kong themed event tasks players with completing missions to earn Hollow Earth energy, unlocking the chance to control Godzilla, Kong, or Shimo in a special mini-game. Additional events arrive throughout the season, including a Rebirth Island event and a special Mother’s Day event.

The Eternal Prison Battle Pass features the new DP27 LMG, a high-damage, high-capacity machine gun. Premium Pass holders can unlock kaiju hunter-themed Operator Skins including Surf Warrior – Kaiju Recon Unit and Syd – Game Warden, plus Weapon Blueprints like the Type 19 – Scavenged and the DP27 – Gilded Huntsman. Finally, Witch Warden from Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies arrives in a Draw alongside the Mythic DP27 – Necrotic Reliquary.

Call of Duty: Mobile Season 4 – Eternal Prison launches on April 22 at 5 pm PT.

For full details on Call of Duty: Mobile Season 4 – Eternal Prison be sure to check out the Call of Duty Blog: https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/04/call-of-duty-mobile-season-4-2026-eternal-prison

LOS ANGELES – APRIL 15, 2026 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, announced the global launch of its new monster-taming action RPG MONGIL: STAR DIVE on PC and mobile platforms.

Starting at 01:00 AM (UTC) on April 15, players can access the mobile version via the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The PC version is available through the Epic Games Store and the official website via the Netmarble Launcher.

To celebrate the global launch, Netmarble is hosting a series of in-game events related to Monster capturing, Boss battles, Bounty missions, Rift challenges and more. Players who complete this set of events will be eligible to obtain various rewards including Compass of Promise summoning tickets, Special Gold Upgrade Stone 5★ Monsterling upgrade materials, and Monsterling Chests.

Following the launch, the sword-wielding maid Esther will be featured as the first event summon character, reflecting her status as one of the most popular figures in the MONGIL: STAR DIVE universe. Various in-game events will offer rewards including profile backgrounds and growth-support items. 

MONGIL: STAR DIVE is the long-awaited reimagining of the beloved 2013 mobile collectible RPG Monster Taming. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game delivers cinematic storytelling and dynamic real-time combat centered on a three-character tag system. The “Monsterling Collection” system supports the capture, collection, and synthesis of monsters, adding strategic depth to gameplay.

More information can be found on the official website, Epic Games Store page, and official social channels.

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, Raven2, MARVEL Future Fight, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Packed with New Trailers, Reveals and Demo Launches

Top Hat Studios, Inc., a grassroots indie game publisher supporting Japanese, anime-inspired, retro-themed, and highly creative indie titles, is excited to announce Top Hat Studios Presents: Spring Showcase 2026. The digital showcase will premiere on Tuesday, April 21 at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM BST on the official Top Hat Studios YouTube and Twitch channels. 

This year’s event will spotlight a wide range of updates across Top Hat Studios’ growing catalog, including brand-new trailers, publishing debuts, release date announcements, demo launches, and additional surprises. The showcase aims to highlight the creativity and diversity of its global developer studio partners.

Viewers can look forward to featured appearances from titles such as MOTORSLICE, Well Dweller, and BECROWNED as well as other portfolio titles and several unannounced projects and first reveals. Top Hat Studios debuted its dedicated showcase last year, offering a platform to highlight its upcoming slate of titles during key seasonal periods, as well as at major industry events like Tokyo Game Show. Top Hat Studios Presents: Spring Showcase 2026 is the latest installment in this bi-annual series.

Top Hat Studios Presents: Spring Showcase 2026 brings together a diverse slate of games from developers across a wide range of styles, genres, and production scales. Top Hat is a proud supporter of projects spanning blockbuster productions to niche, boutique experimentation. Fans are encouraged to tune in live and follow Top Hat Studios on social media for updates, and reminders leading up to the showcase.

For more information on Top Hat Studios, Inc, visit https://tophat.studio/

About Top Hat Studios, Inc.

Top Hat Studios is your favorite publisher of fine indie delicacies, primarily supporting Japanese & anime inspired, retro-themed, and highly creative titles. As a company with grassroots origins, Top Hat Studios focuses on taking a collaborative and creatively focused approach with game developers in order to nurture talent and grow the next big indie game. 

Top Hat Studios’ diverse portfolio includes hits such as Crypt Custodian, MOTORSLICE, Labyrinth of the Demon King, Windswept, and many more.

Restore Wonderland to its former glory in a new Special Pack featuring five wonderfully weird locations

Brighton, UK – 15th April, 2026 – Independent UK developer and publisher FuturLab today released the PowerWash Simulator Alice’s Adventures Special Pack for Apple Arcade users. This whimsical new content drop invites players to step into a surreal version of Wonderland and wash away the chaos left in the wake of a very curious visitor.

The once vivid kingdom of Wonderland has been doused in detritus following the calamitous aftermath of its greatest ever threat… a curious little girl. Players will journey through a topsy-turvy world of psychedelic colours, maximalist décor, and larger-than-life locales, where nothing is quite as it seems. From doors with doors to objects that defy logic, is it a carpet or a clock? A carrot or a cup? Every surface holds a surprise.

The Alice’s Adventures Special Pack features five fantastical locations across Wonderland:

• Wonderland’s Entrance Hall
• White Rabbit’s House
• Caterpillar’s Mushroom
• Mad Tea Party
• Queen of Hearts’ Court

Players can also suit up for the occasion with an all-new themed outfit, gloves, and power washer skin, perfectly suited for the tea party of the century. Whether restoring order or simply soaking in the strangeness, the Alice’s Adventures Special Pack offers a delightfully different cleaning experience. But beware, the Queen of Hearts is watching. 

Alice’s Adventures Special Pack is out now on Apple Arcade, with more content for PowerWash Simulator on Apple Arcade to be announced.

About PowerWash Simulator
PowerWash Simulator is a relaxing, immersive first-person cleaning simulation where players wash away their worries with the simple satisfaction of high-pressure water. With a range of tools, locations, and expansions, players can tackle dirt in increasingly creative and unexpectedsettings.

About FuturLab
An award-winning game studio based in Brighton, UK, we’ve developed and published standout titles on PC and console since 2003. Our best-known games include Velocity 2X, Tiny Trax, Peaky Blinders: Mastermind, and the global hit PowerWash Simulator. We believe healthy teams make better games, which is why we champion positive culture, creative freedom, and zero crunch.

Catania, April 15, 2026 — Stormind Games announces a new collaboration with Maximum Entertainment for the physical distribution of Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy, the latest chapter in the award-winning horror saga, revealed last month during the Future Games Show. The title will be available in physical format on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

This partnership positions Maximum Entertainment as Stormind Games’ key retail partner for the physical distribution of Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy – Deluxe Edition across Europe, Oceania and the Americas, leveraging its established distribution network and strong retail presence.

Pre-orders for the physical edition of Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy will go live soon across major retailers in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

“Partnering with Maximum Entertainment is a natural choice for us,” said Antonio Cannata, CEO of Stormind Games. “We are excited to collaborate with a partner that brings strong retail expertise, enabling us to bring Remothered 3 into the hands of players in a format that remains beloved and accessible to all gamers, not just collectors.”

“Remothered is a proven franchise with a dedicated global audience, and we are excited to expand its reach at retail,” said Philippe Cohen, CEO of Maximum Entertainment. “This collaboration reflects our strategy to prioritize trusted partners and proven franchises, driving strong and fast-moving commercial performance.”

More details regarding Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy – Deluxe Edition and its contents will be announced soon. The game is expected to launch by the end of 2026 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series S/X.

About Stormind Games

Stormind is an independent AA studio creating original and licensed horror games for PC and consoles. The team is best known for the survival horror saga Remothered and A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, the first-person horror adventure based on the Paramount Pictures franchise. They also co-developed Mafia: The Old Country alongside Hangar 13 and 2K.

More information at: https://stormindgames.com/ 

About Maximum Entertainment  Maximum Entertainment is a global entertainment company dedicated to crafting indie to AA video game experiences through original content and licensed partnerships. A fully integrated group with a broad portfolio of content, the company emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity in its partnerships to produce the highest level of interactive entertainment. With more than 300 titles in its catalog, Maximum Entertainment has joined forces with talented creators and renowned franchises around the globe to deliver magic to the gamer in everyone. Maximum Entertainment employs experienced professionals across the entire value chain of video games including development, publishing, transmedia, sales, and operations.

The return of the retro MMORPG’s most popular limited-time game mode begins today, enthralling players past and present to take part in the faster-paced game mode featuring new mechanics and refreshed progression.

Wednesday, 15th April 2026, Cambridge, UK – Jagex: The RuneScape Company has today unleashed Leagues VI, which runs for the next eight weeks. Entitled ‘Demonic Pacts’, the popular limited time game mode returns after two years to Old School RuneScape.

Hosted on separate worlds to the main game, and where everybody begins with a brand-new character, Leagues VI is a faster-paced mode of Old School RuneScape, with boosted XP rates, new mechanics, an all-new ‘demonic pacts’ skill tree, echo bosses and unique drops. Every choice made by players is both powerful and impactful, as they tailor their experience through theory crafting and creating a combination of buffs through the skill tree, relics and echo boss reward items, and utilise the mode’s accelerated power to create unique builds Old School RuneScape players have never experienced before. 

First announced in Old School RuneScape’s Winter Summit in January, Leagues VI sees players take on contracts set by Yama, the demonic Master of Pacts. Similar to previous instalments of the game mode, Demonic Pacts begins in a single region before further areas are unlocked as players complete tasks. As they do so, they’ll secure Trophy Points that convert into exclusive cosmetic rewards. Sticking with Leagues VI’s theme, these include a Home teleport animation where imps form a summoning circle and return you to the depths of Yama’s Lair, A Soul Reaper axe ornament kit that gives character their own Yama Axe, a custom Player Owned House throne that is a duplicate of Yama’s, Imp thralls and more for the player’s main account. 

“After a two-year break, Leagues is being devilishly summoned back with Demonic Pacts,” said Kieren Charles, Creative Director, Old School RuneScape. “For Old School RuneScape players who are currently AFK and have never played the mode, Leagues is the game they’ve loved for years dialled up to 11: Faster progression, a level playing field for all, and new gameplay mechanics that provide a fresh take on the Old School experience.”

Old School RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.  

About Jagex

Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, Jagex: The RuneScape Company, is a leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower communities across PC and mobile. Our MMORPG franchise, RuneScape, is played around the world and has welcomed over 300 million player accounts.

As RuneScape enters its 25th year in 2026, we are accelerating our strategy to expand RuneScape into a broader ecosystem of forever games and connected experiences, grounded in a renewed commitment to integrity and fair play. This includes the reduction of monetisation mechanics, as well as the launch of RuneScape: Dragonwilds into Steam Early Access in 2025, representing a major step in building a multi-genre future for the RuneScape universe. Jagex: The RuneScape Company remains focused on building enduring worlds, empowering player-led innovation, and laying the foundations for the boldest era in RuneScape’s history.

IV Productions and Power Up Publishing unleash a frantic spinning puzzle challenge! Wishlist now and play the updated Steam demo today!

Bologna, Italy – 15 April, 2026. Get ready to lose control. Spinning Scarecrow, the twisted new arcade puzzle experience from indie developer IV Productions, in collaboration with Power Up Publishing, has been officially unveiled, bringing fast-paced, precision gameplay into a grotesque, hand-drawn world where movement itself is the greatest threat.

Inspired by an old classic game mechanics, Spinning Scarecrow reimagines the formula with a darker edge. Players take control of a constantly rotating scarecrow, navigating tight, trap-filled environments where every second and every angle matters. One wrong move can mean instant failure.

Set in a surreal, ink-drenched, hand-drawn world, players must guide their spinning form through claustrophobic mazes, dodging deadly obstacles and adapting to ever-changing hazards. With each new level, the chaos escalates, introducing springs that reverse rotation, perfectly timed power-ups, and bizarre, grotesque minigames that feel ripped from a nightmarish fairground.

Easy to pick up but brutally hard to master, Spinning Scarecrow is built around precision, timing, and repetition. Every failure is a lesson. Every perfect run is a triumph.

Watch the Spinning Scarecrow announcement trailer below

Alongside its core gameplay, players can expect a host of features designed to challenge and reward:

• Constantly spinning arcade puzzle gameplay – master movement that never stops
• Traps, springs, and reversals – anticipate danger and react with precision
• Grotesque minigames – optional challenges that add chaos and reward
• Power-ups that change the rules – adapt your strategy on the fly
• Hand-drawn dark comic art style – surreal, readable, and unforgettable
• High replayability – chase faster times, higher scores, and perfect runs

Fans eager to test their reflexes can download the freshly updated demo onSteam now, offering a first taste of the game’s unique mechanics and escalating challenge.

Wishlist Spinning Scarecrow on Steam today and download the demo now to see if you can survive the spin.

Release date announced for vehicular combat Survivors-like; also coming to console and Xbox Game Pass

London, UK – April 15, 2026 – Mythwright and Payload Studios are thrilled to announce that bullet heaven builder TerraTech Legion launches on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Microsoft Store for Windows, and Epic Games Store on April 30th – and will be available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Game Pass PC.

Confirmed for console today and smashing its way first to Xbox Series X|S and PC, build the ultimate battle vehicle and rage against the machines in a Survivors-like vehicular action roguelike.

Survive intense mechanical combat and master a deep, modular vehicle-building system to overcome swarms of deadly machines. Discover a variety of playable characters, each with a unique Tech vehicle, skill tree, unlocks and abilities. Acquire new parts and components throughout each run to build up your vehicle and determine how it moves and fights, including boosters and additional wheels to enhance speed and mobility, and lasers, buzzsaws and more to give you the edge in battle.

Explore multiple worlds to destroy factory outposts and battle brutal bosses, while rebuilding, repairing, and augmenting your Tech at mobile upgrade pods deployed during the carnage. Upgrade core components between missions, assembling increasingly powerful and strategic builds to create the ultimate battle vehicle – and bring the fury on each new run.

Add TerraTech Legion to your wishlist today and download the demo on Steam and Epic Games Store.

ABOUT PAYLOAD STUDIOS
Payload Studios is an award-winning indie game developer. Founded in 2013, they are a team of 16, known for the vehicle builder sandbox games TerraTech and TerraTech Worlds. Payload Studios is currently developing TerraTech Legion, a brand-new game set in the TerraTech universe combining its modular vehicle building technology with chaotic bullet heaven gameplay.

ABOUT MYTHWRIGHT
Mythwright is an independent publisher founded by industry veterans. Established in 2024, Mythwright has already signed a range of exciting titles including Thronefall, Kaiju Cleanup, TerraTech Legion, TerraTech Worlds, TerraTech, Going Medieval, Cleaner Company, Cozy Marbles, Galacticare, War for the Overworld, Bladesong, Innkeep, Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts, Deadstick – Bush Flight Simulator and Touch Type Tale – Strategic Typing.