The Debut Adventure From Icelandic Studio Myrkur Games Also Receives Free Update

Reykjavik, Iceland – 17^th February 2026. Echoes of the End, the debut title from Icelandic studio Myrkur Games, arrives on Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription service today alongside a brand-new update adding a photo mode and Valentine’s themed outfits.

The action-adventure will be available on PlayStation Plus for the next year for Extra and Premium subscribers.

First released in August 2025 across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Steam), Echoes of the End is a magical adventure that introduces Myrkur Games as a new voice in creative storytelling. Based in Reykjavík, the small, dedicated team of developers and storytellers are driven by a shared love for immersive, cinematic worldbuilding.

To bring their vision to life, the team spent several years building custom pipelines for motion capture, photogrammetry, and performance animation, ensuring every scene feels authentic, grounded, and emotionally impactful.

A brand-new update for all platforms

An update across all versions of the game adds a photo mode, so players can document and share their adventures across the stunning world of Aema. New Valentine’s themed outfits have also been added for lead characters Ryn and Abram, while a number of bug fixes ensure Echoes of the End has never played better.

A personal story on an epic scale

Players take on the role of Ryn, a vestige, a rare individual born with the power to control ancient and volatile magic. As she sets out to rescue her brother from a brutal empire on the brink of war, she must uncover a conspiracy that could reignite an ancient conflict and plunge the world of Aema into chaos.

Powered by Unreal Engine 5 and driven by themes of trust, sacrifice and redemption, Echoes of the End unfolds across ten hand-crafted chapters filled with cinematic moments, memorable characters and high-stakes decisions.

A game reborn

Towards the end of 2025, the team released the Enhanced Edition of Echoes of the End, a free overhaul full of improvements and features players had been requesting following the game’s initial launch back in August. These included faster pacing, reworked animations, new difficulty levels, equipment, and more, which caused steam reviews to jump to 85% positive since the overhaul’s release.

Halldór Snær Kristjánsson, CEO of Myrkur Games said: “Our community is incredibly important to us, and their valuable feedback helped us bring the game to the level we always envisioned it. We’re delighted to be bringing the Echoes of the End to PlayStation Plus alongside new in-game content as a thank you to the support of our players, and we especially can’t wait to see their creativity with the new photo mode feature.”

About Myrkur Games

Myrkur Games is an independent game studio based in Reykjavík, Iceland. Founded by a small group of friends with a passion for storytelling and cinematic gameplay, the team is dedicated to building original, immersive experiences. Echoes of the End is the studio’s first title.

About Deep Silver

Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com 

About PLAION 

PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.

Mini Motorways, the award-winning minimalist strategy traffic management sim with over nine million players from developer Dinosaur Polo Club, introduces South Africa’s finest mountain-hemmed coastline to the Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and iOS devices in the free Tabletop Traffic update launching today at 12:30 pm PT.

Kick off 2026 with a peaceful journey through the panoramic landscapes of South Africa’s Cape Town! Guide commuters through a brand new map, filled with the gorgeous tunnels and bridges of South Africa’s second-largest city. See for yourself what Cape Town has to offer, from the rugged peaks of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain to the southern Atlantic.

Explore Cape Town and all preexisting maps in four full game modes: Classic, Endless, Expert, and the recently added Creative Mode!  Puzzle-minded players can tackle new Daily and Weekly Challenges, city planners looking for their zen while exploring the coast can dive into Endless Mode, and those looking for more aesthetic authority can customize their coziness in Creative Mode.

The Tabletop Traffic Update is only the beginning! Mini Motorways will grow throughout the year, as seen in this consistent content roadmap:

• June: A new map and additions to Creative Mode
• September: a BIG community surprise ahead, stay tuned!
• December: Yet another new map to close out 2026!

“We’re excited to bring another year of updates to Mini Motorways!” said Aditia Hasib, Community Operations Manager, Dinosaur Polo Club. “Fun fact: One of our team members coincidentally had their honeymoon in Cape Town while we were working on this update! The team has worked hard to capture the beauty of Cape Town’s coastlines and mountains – we can’t wait to see what you think!”

“The Tabletop Traffic” update will be available in Mini Motorways for free today across all current platforms, including Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, and PC and Mac via Steam. For more information, please visit the Dinosaur Polo Club website, follow the studio on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or search for #MiniMotorways on social media.

About Dinosaur Polo Club

Dinosaur Polo Club is an independent game development studio based in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. Founded in 2013 by brothers Peter and Robert Curry, the studio first made waves with their award-winning and BAFTA-nominated debut Mini Metro. Created in collaboration with Disasterpeace and Jamie Churchman, Mini Metro explores relaxed and minimalist subway design. The second game developed by Dinosaur Polo Club introduces a brand new type of city management with colorful road-building and resource management found in Mini Motorways. Combined, Mini Metro and Mini Motorways make up two parts of an expanding Mini Collection.  With an inclusive and supportive culture that believes in giving back to its creative community, the studio has grown and is now home to nearly 30 dinos as it works on new titles with relatable simplicity.

Retro-and-anime culture inspired indie publisher Top Hat Studios, Inc., in conjunction with developer Slime King Games, are proud to launch classic ’90s style action-adventure RPG UNDER THE ISLAND today – February 17th 2026, at 08:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 16:00 GMT. Featuring art by former art director of Daedalic Entertainment Simone Grünewald, Under The Island is available for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, and the Xbox family.

Set on the mysterious Seashell Island, the world of Under The Island ranges from the chilly ice caps of Bran Bran Peak (where somehow they mine cereal), to tropical villages and dusty deserts full of sentient, walking pots (who naturally hate you). Each distinct region holds its own discoveries, foes, and challenges paired alongside classic action-RPG gameplay – but with an extra emphasis on player-driven exploration. Starting out with a trusty hockey stick to bash enemies with, your power & abilities grow with new treasures found in dungeons, minigames and off the beaten path – or sometimes traded for with the locals… or “negotiated” for with the island’s fauna.

See Under The Island’s launch trailer which gives a glimpse of the challenges ahead:

In Under The Island, you’ll chart your own path and discover all the secrets this world has to offer, whether it’s inside the monumental wonders of the island, or hidden away in a secret nook and cranny. Use all the tools at your disposal, such as a shovel, a trumpet, and a… bird to create new paths, meet other adventurers, and find treasure.

Uncover a Sinking Mystery!

Step into the role of Nia, a newcomer to Seashell Island – and join forces with local girl Avocado to investigate an ominous fate – the island’s destined to sink beneath the ocean! Explore colorful distinct regions, battle strange creatures, and uncover the ancient mysteries that could threaten your new home.

Classic Top-Down Adventure

Journey across a lush island, brought to life with vibrant pixel art and timeless top-down exploration. Delve into hidden corners, uncover secrets, and face dangerous foes across diverse, interconnected biomes.

Six Distinct Regions to Explore

From eerie sentient greenhouses, to frozen caverns, and chaotic sawmills, each biome holds its own dangers, upgrades, and treasures to uncover! Become the champion of the cook-off, reunite lost cats, and dodge the rage of the cereal pirates.

Strange Enemies & Unusual Tactics

Face off against vomiting eggplants, tunnelling wolves, and other bizarre creatures. Use artefacts, loot, and new abilities you discover to turn the tide of battle. Befriend animals and see if they can help you on your adventure – particularly if you give them treats!

A Cast of Memorable Characters

Meet the island’s quirky inhabitants, each with their own personality, story, and a role to play in your adventure. Forge friendships, lend a hand, and see how they can aid you in return.

Links for Under The Island:

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1583520/Under_The_Island/ 
Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/under-the-island-switch/
PlayStation: https://store.playstation.com/concept/10016637/ 
Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/games/store/under-the-island/9P0SBDX4SHP2

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.

About Slime King Games

Slime King Games consists of German development-duo Johannes Grünewald and Simone Grünewald. Together, they previously contributed to titles such as Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth and the Deponia series. Under The Island marks their inaugural outing as a fully-fledged indie studio.

CD PROJEKT RED announces that its critically acclaimed game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, alongside its expansions Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, will join Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate on February 19.

Snapshot:

• The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition was officially confirmed as part of the upcoming Xbox Game Pass lineup for Premium and Ultimate plan subscribers.
• The game will be available for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition is the winner of over 250 Game of the Year awards and 1,000 industry awards. The third installment in The Witcher saga has sold 60 million copies to date, with combined sales across the franchise totalling 85 million. In 2025, CD PROJEKT RED also launched celebrations for the 10th anniversary of the game’s release, which included an international Witcher in Concert tour, commemorative merchandise, and collaborations. Among these were Xbox controllers featuring the Wolf School medallion and a special 10th anniversary vinyl re-release with 37 iconic tracks from the game.

The game sees players take on the role of professional monster slayer Geralt, who embarks on a quest to find his adopted daughter Ciri, the Child of Prophecy. Along the way he collaborates or clashes with characters like Yennefer of Vengerberg, Triss Merigold, the bard Dandelion, or the Bloody Baron. Starting February 19, Xbox Game Pass players will be able to dive in and experience over 150 hours of unparalleled novel-like adventures, complex monster contracts, and difficult choices and consequences — all in an unmistakable dark fantasy world.

The game, as well as its award-winning expansions, will soon join Xbox Game Pass Premium and Ultimate for both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. More information about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt can be found on its official website as well X, Bluesky, and Facebook.

About CD PROJEKT RED

CD PROJEKT RED is a video game development studio founded in 2002. Its flagship titles include the futuristic role-playing game Cyberpunk 2077 and its spy-thriller expansion Phantom Liberty, alongside The Witcher series of games including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and its two expansions. In collaboration with TRIGGER, CD PROJEKT RED also created the award-winning Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, set in the same universe as the game. CD PROJEKT RED is part of the CD PROJEKT Group. CD PROJEKT S.A. is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ISIN: PLOPTTC00011).

About The Witcher franchise
Created by CD PROJEKT RED, The Witcher is a series of dark fantasy role-playing games that has sold over 75 million copies to date worldwide and garnered over 1,000 awards. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, was released in 2015 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and later in 2019 for Nintendo Switch. In 2022, a next-gen update for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 was released. The game has won a total of 250 Game of the Year awards and sold over 60 million copies worldwide. The upcoming single-player open-world role-playing game The Witcher 4 marks the beginning of a new saga, focusing on protagonist Ciri as she embarks on the Path to become a professional monster slayer. The Witcher games are set in the universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski in his series of books.

Grab a friend and get humanity back on track in the survival game’s local co-op mode.

[February 17, 2026] – Two Kents are better than one! Grab a friend and dive into Kentum’s local co-operative play today on Nintendo Switch as it becomes available on all platforms. Explore the different biomes as a team and scan the strange flora and fauna that’s taken over the planet. Or go your separate ways if you think you can do it on your own, then come back better than ever as a clone if you happen to, you know, get eaten or something in the process. Either way, you’ll need to gather materials, build your base, and survive the year 10,000 together. 

Kentum’s Co-Op Update adds even more gameplay variety to the survival metroidvania. Work efficiency rises with two Kents tackling the job, allowing you to double your efforts and build faster. Of course, you can always make it a competition and see which Kent excels above the other. How you survive is up to you!

Co-Op Update Features:

• Simultaneous Play: You can build, explore, and traverse in different biomes independently of your co-op partner. Return to a pre-existing save file to resume your adventure with drop-in/drop-out co-op play.
• Divide and Conquer or Take the Lone Kent Approach: Work together to build automations, divide and conquer to gather resources, or do your own thing; each playstyle is supported in co-op.
• Base-Building Efficiency: Work together to kickstart humanity quickly and efficiently alongside your fellow Kent.
• Play With a Friend from Afar: Aside from local co-op compatibility, the Kentum Co-Op Update allows you to play with a friend online through Steam Remote Play using one only game key.
• What’s Yours is Yours: New in-base safe item allows you to keep items from being picked up by your automation system.
• Streamline Productions: Accelerate your item production systems as you can now expand the size of your base both vertically and horizontally.

Kentum and its Co-Op Update are available now on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

About Tlön Industries

Tlön Industries is a game development company focused on bringing deep narrative experiences to dynamic system-oriented games. Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tlön Industries aims to create world-class games for players. Their debut game, Per Aspera, was released in 2020 to critical acclaim. It was nominated for a DICE Award for Best Strategy Game and later launched a VR version.

About V Publishing
​Spawned from video game marketing firm Vicarious, V Publishing is a games label dedicated to Strategy, Simulation, and RPGs for PC and consoles.

Mezan Studios are pleased to announce that players can now try an updated demo for Nightscape, ahead of its participation in the Steam Next Fest, running from February 23rd – March 2nd. Nightscape is an atmospheric 2.5D adventure inspired by Arabian astronomy, currently in development for PC, PlayStation and Xbox. In Nightscape, you play as Layla as you explore an ancient Arabian land, wielding stellar powers in your quest to return the stars to the sky and find your missing father.

Website: https://mezanstudios.com/

In an odyssey inspired by stars and Arabian culture, you gain the ability to use constellation powers that allow you to manipulate the elements. Call on the power of the wind, or make rain fall from the sky to manipulate your environment to solve puzzles. Battles with monsters that require you to put your trusty bow to use and make use of the abilities of the magical Goat Kid that accompanies you on your adventure. 

Layla is a young stargazer who has inherited her father’s passion for astronomy. He went missing after the mysterious Starfall. Before you stands a chaotic world and an opportunity to restore it. It’s up to you and your Goat Kid companion to use your wit, courage and knowledge of constellation powers to put things right.

About Mezan Studios
Mezan Studios is a digital entertainment company focused on producing stellar video games. A platform and a voice for aspiring game developers from the MENA region. They are a small passionate team based in Doha, Qatar with global ambitions currently working on Nightscape – an atmospheric adventure game inspired by ancient Arabian astronomy.

Iconic characters from the popular anime join the game

Amsterdam, Netherlands — February 17, 2026 | Kakao Games is excited to announce that the world of Clevatess, one of the most acclaimed new anime of 2025, is coming to Guardian Tales, adding in brand new characters and scenarios to the popular mobile RPG that will be instantly familiar to fans of Clevatess.

Beginning today on 17 February 2026, and running until 17 March 2026, the Clevatess collaboration event adds a new short story to the game, which sees Klen’s party from the popular anime drawn into the world of Guardian Tales by a mysterious power. 

Alongside the short story update, new limited-time heroes ‘Lord of Dark Beasts Klen’ and ‘Kind Wet Nurse Nelluru’ will be added today.

A special live event will also be taking place in Guardian Tales, where players will be rewarded for completing event missions with in-game items and resources. Starting today, player rewards will include ‘Kind Wet Nurse Nelluru’ and an exclusive weapon, a limited sticker pack, and Latent Awakening Stones. 

Starting today, a pickup event for ‘Lord of Dark Beasts Klen’ will be available until 17 March. Then, from 3 March to 17 March, a second pickup event will introduce the limited-edition ‘Risen Hero Alicia’ and another exclusive weapon.

Additionally, from 3 March to 17 March, players can challenge bosses featured in the collaboration short story collection and earn rewards based on their score in Boss Rush. ​​Players can choose from three difficulty levels to take on the Boss Rush and earn various rewards.

For more information, please visit the official website. Guardian Tales is available now on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch.

About Guardian Tales 

Guardian Tales is a mobile ARPG from Kong Studios that unites charming pixel art graphics and action-adventure dungeon crawling linked together by a journey traveling a rich diversity of worlds, inspired by the history of gaming. 

About Kakao Games

Kakao Games (CEO Sang-Woo Han) is the gaming subsidiary of Kakao, specializing in both publishing and development across a wide range of genres, from casual to hardcore titles on PC and mobile. Since its KOSDAQ listing in September 2020, Kakao Games has successfully developed and launched popular titles such as Odin: Valhalla Rising, Uma Musume Pretty Derby, Eversoul, Guardian Tales, and Kakao Battlegrounds, with multiple global releases on the horizon. Kakao Games remains committed to expanding its portfolio and exploring new opportunities in the evolving gaming landscape.

Lesquin, February 17, 2026 – NACON and KT Racing invite PlayStation® Plus Extra and Premium members to try out Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. Starting today, players can explore Hong Kong Island and the sunny city of Ibiza on PlayStation®5 via the game’s page on the PlayStation™ Store.

This version grants all players full access to the game’s content with no restrictions, allowing them to enjoy all the new features introduced since Season 1. 

The current Season 5 lets players enjoy Taxi missions, Poker available at the Casino, and a brand-new online shop. The next season will introduce Detective missions, new vehicles, and numerous technical improvements and quality-of-life features.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (or TDUSC) is a massively open online racing game (M.O.O.R) set on Hong Kong Island and Ibiza city, recreated on a scale of 1/1. A true racing, lifestyle and social experience, players can personalize an avatar in their image, become a member of a clan, explore more than 600km of roads, or even participate in the numerous competitions available in-game, at the wheel of more than 100 racing cars.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) and nacongaming.com.

Visit the official website: https://www.testdriveunlimited.com 

About NACON

A company within the BIGBEN group, NACON was created in 2019 to optimize its expertise and leverage synergies in the video game market. Comprising 16 development studios, AA game publishing, and the design and distribution of premium gaming peripherals, NACON brings 40 years of experience to benefit the world’s gaming community. This unified center of excellence strengthens NACON’s position in the market and creates unique opportunities for innovation and competitive advantages. www.corporate.nacongaming.com

About Kylotonn

Created in 2006, Kylotonn is one the most important French video game development studios, also known under KT Racinglabel. Specialized in motorsports and official developer of the WRC FIA World Rally Championship series and Isle of ManTourist Trophy, the company is internationally recognized for its know-how and for the passion of its teams. With more than 170 employees as of today in Paris and Lyon, Kylotonn has developed more than 30 titles distributed by major publishers. Kylotonn has forged itself a strong technological expertise thanks to the real-time 3D engine KT Engine that the company owns. At the forefront of the video game industry, this technology is also used within R&D partnerships on autonomous vehicle projects in the automotive industry. Since 2018, NACON, one of Europe’s leading video game publishers, holds a 100% stake in the company. Kylotonn is a member of the French National Developers Federation (Syndicat National du Jeu Vidéo) and Capital Games. The company is supported by BPI, IFCIC and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. For more information, visit www.kylotonn.com.

With a wide range of heavy-duty machines to master, the future of Port Wake is in your hands on March 5 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Feb. 17, 2026 – On the docks, everything that passes through has a story. But not many know the story of the dock itself. Saber Interactive is here to take you into the world of Port Wake, from the ground level to the top of the stacks, in the new overview trailer for Docked, the realistic port simulation game coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on March 5. “This Is Docked” will give you the lowdown on everything it takes to make this hub of commerce and industry work, as well as a look into the people who make it all possible.

After a devastating hurricane threatens the family business, it’s up to you to step in as lead operator. It doesn’t matter the size of your cargo, operating heavy machinery like this requires a delicate touch. Master a variety of massive vehicles, each designed to excel at a different aspect of the job, and take control to rebuild and expand Port Wake beyond its former glory, one container at a time. Fulfilling contracts will bring money into the port to help save the dock, but be careful – one slip up can send the whole operation into chaos.

Key Game Features

• Port Wake Calls: From ship to crane to truck and beyond, every tool is a vital piece of the business. Manage operations and vehicles, take on important contracts, and make high-priority cargo runs to fulfill your commitments. When wear and tear drags your equipment down, execute repairs under strict deadlines to keep the port moving.
• Operate Powerful Machinery: Take command of a fleet of real-life machines expertly engineered with the raw power and precise handling to get the job done, from colossal ship-to-shore cranes to sturdy, heavy-duty tractors and more. Tighten ropes, position materials, optimize weight distribution, navigate delicate cargo, and gain a firsthand understanding of what it means to work a dock.
• Earn, Invest & Expand: Revitalize Port Wake one crane at a time. Every job you take earns cash to invest in new and more powerful machinery. Sign contracts to create new logistical chains and build up resources, purchase lots to store vehicles, upgrade fuel and power supplies, and conquer new milestones to save and expand the family business.

Pre-orders are available now for both the Standard and Deluxe Edition of Docked on PlayStation 5 (Deluxe), Xbox Series X|S (Deluxe), and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store (Deluxe). Players who pre-order either version will unlock the Premium Reach Stacker vehicle. Deluxe Edition owners will get the full base game plus the “New Horizons” expansion pack.

A free demo for Docked is also available now on Steam. For more information, visit saber.games/docked.

About Saber Interactive

Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of 15 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, Jurassic Park: Survival, Turok: Origins, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, Road Kings, World War Z, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, Bus Bound, Docked, SnowRunner, Expeditions: A MudRunner Game and RoadCraft. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with leading developers and publishers, including producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others. Learn more at https://saber.games.

New Phoenix Class Leads a Fully Refined Content Update in Early 2026

Karlsruhe, Germany (February 16, 2026) | Gameforge today announced Update 4.5 ‘Ignite’, the first major update of 2026 for AION Classic EU. Planned to arrive in early 2026, Update 4.5 delivers a broad range of new content, gameplay systems, and refinements—headlined by the introduction of the all-new Phoenix class—while offering European players a fully optimized version of the update from day one.

Rather than releasing Update 4.5 in stages, Gameforge will deploy the update as a single, consolidated patch, incorporating balance improvements, system refinements, and usability updates informed by player feedback from other regions. This approach ensures a smoother launch experience and a more cohesive progression path for both new and returning players.

Watch the AION ClassicEUUpdate 4.5 ‘Ignite’ Announcement Trailer:

New Class Spotlight: Phoenix
Leading Update 4.5 is the arrival of Phoenix, a fast-paced, mid-range magical damage dealer wielding Flame Revolvers and wearing Flame Leather equipment. Designed for dynamic combat, Phoenix excels at rapid-fire combos, area control, and explosive burst windows in both PvE and PvP encounters.

Phoenix’s signature mechanic, Overcharge Energy, builds with every critical hit. Once fully charged, Phoenix enters a heightened combat state that dramatically enhances magical skill output for a short duration. With access to airborne binds, black hole-style pulls, auto-cannons, and skill-reset abilities, the class delivers a highly mobile and expressive playstyle that rewards precision and timing.

Streamlined Onboarding for New and Returning Players
Update 4.5 modernizes the early AION Classic experience by removing the legacy base class system. New characters now begin directly as their chosen advanced class, allowing players to immediately engage with their preferred playstyle.

Additionally, players now start in their faction’s main city rather than a low-level starter zone, providing faster access to core services, clearer progression guidance, and a more efficient introduction to the game’s systems. These improvements significantly reduce early friction and help players reach meaningful content more quickly.

Teva: A New Open-World Progression Zone
Teva is a large-scale open-world field zone designed as a central progression hub for Update 4.5. It features rotating anomalies, field missions, rare monster encounters, hidden islands accessed through special portals, and a new weekly-reset currency used to obtain valuable rewards.

Teva also introduces monster taming, allowing players to capture rare creatures using Prism Cores, alongside challenging solo and group content that feeds directly into the update’s new gear and progression systems.

Expanded Endgame Progression
Update 4.5 significantly deepens long-term character growth with several new systems:

• Battle Armour Gear Line – A new endgame equipment path that evolves into higher-tier Battle-Hardened and Battle-Seasoned Armour, offering powerful stat upgrades and a new combined defensive attribute. 
• Arcamant – Equipable progression items that introduce new combat-enhancing stats, including Critical Damage Increase, with multiple variants for PvE and PvP builds. 
• New High-Tier Manastones – Expanded build customization through stronger Fabled-grade stones tied to open-world and endgame activities.

Skill Reboot, RvR Enhancements, and QoL Improvements
Update 4.5 delivers one of the largest skill overhauls in AION Classic EU to date, featuring class-wide Skill Reboots, new Advanced Skills and Stigmas, and extensive balance adjustments. These changes improve combat clarity, build diversity, and performance across both PvE and PvP.

RvR (Realm vs Realm) gameplay also receives major refinements, including improved raid structures, clearer scheduling, enhanced rewards, and expanded progression systems. Alongside these updates, a wide range of quality-of-life improvements streamline crafting, enhancement, inventory management, and general navigation throughout the game.

Quote from Gameforge
“Update 4.5 represents an important step for AION Classic EU as we move into 2026,” said Syd, Product Manager for AION EU at Gameforge. “Our goal with this update is to deliver meaningful new gameplay—like the Phoenix class and Teva—while also refining the core experience based on what we’ve learned so far. We want players to feel that AION Classic continues to evolve in a thoughtful and sustainable way.”

Coming Early 2026
AION Classic EU Update 4.5 ‘Ignite’ is currently planned to launch in early 2026 and will be available as a free update for all players via the Gameforge client.

For more information on AION Classic EU, head over to the Gameforge website.

About Gameforge
Founded in 2003, Gameforge is a leading Western publisher and operator of widely acclaimed Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) and browser-based game titles. Gameforge builds highly active and enduring global communities by supporting players through high-quality LiveOps, localized content, engaging community management, and the frequent delivery of meaningful updates.

Gameforge’s diverse portfolio includes core MMORPG titles such as AION Classic, Runes of Magic, and Metin2, beloved anime MMOs Elsword and NosTale, strategy-focused browser games OGame and Ikariam, along with select indie titles.