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Reality is a Matter of Perspective: Shil Launches on Meta Quest Today

Your temporal concerns have no bearing on the beautifully surreal world of Shil.

Vilnius, Lithuania, 8th October 2026 – Virtual Reality affords gamers across the globe something different. It’s a technology that allows us to step into the shoes of different characters, taking on daring adventures in entirely new worlds. But what if instead of looking for escapism, we used this technology to dive deeper into ourselves? Shil, from indie developer OSM Games, brings that possibility to Meta Quest starting today. But be warned: you might not like what you find inside.

Set inside a damaged reconstruction of a human mind, Shil is a puzzle game that eschews the norms of the genre. It combines physical puzzle-solving, deceptive silhouettes and a darkly humorous story that branches towards multiple endings. Reveal invisible surroundings, solve puzzles with unusual tools and question the AI guiding you through a fractured mind.

Shil combines fantastical puzzle design with horror elements in dramatic world-altering gameplay. Understanding the world means looking carefully and testing what you find. Through intuitive environmental design, you can use tools to manipulate the world around you; throw a ball to reveal new pathways, use a magnet gun to pull objects into place, or your slingshot to tackle challenges and confront enemies you cannot fully see.

“We stripped away almost everything players normally expect from a virtual world — textures, lighting, even the certainty of what they’re looking at,” said Giedrius Tamulaitis, CEO of OSM Games. “What’s left is a world where seeing and understanding are two very different things. Perspective becomes both your greatest tool and your greatest weakness, as you navigate the fragments of a mind that can no longer be trusted.” 

Shil Key Features:

  • Worlds within Worlds – Discover a twisted, contorted labyrinthine world of dynamic colour and sound 
  • React and Interact – Utilise tools to solve puzzles, uncover the landscape and fight for survival
  • Striking Visuals – Shil’s two-tone art style doesn’t simply create a mesmerisingly bold aesthetic; it’s key to hiding and solving the game’s many secrets
  • Story-Focused – Recover collectible memories and unravel a mystery about corporate control and human imagination, threaded with dry humour and psychological horror elements
  • Branching Narrative – Choose paths through interconnected environments, investigate restricted areas and discover where obedience, curiosity or resistance leads

Shil is a single-player puzzle horror coming to Meta Quest on 8th October 2026, retailing for $14.99 USD, €13.99 EUR, £11.99 GBP. Shil is also available to wishlist now on Steam, with a launch date coming very soon. 

Shil – | Meta Store | Steam |

About Shil:

Prepare for a mind-bending puzzle game like no other, and enter the world of Shil. Step through the door of the subconscious, where logic and perspective are skewed into surreal and undefinable puzzles that baffle and contort reality beyond reason. Explore ever-changing and pulsating landscapes, filled with stark silhouettes and invisible foes. Uncover what’s hidden, follow unseen paths, and discover a mind trapped within itself. 

About OSM Games:

Founded in Vilnius, Lithuania, OSM Games began by developing mobile games such as Kartuvės and Captain Badass before moving into virtual reality development with several prototypes. This experimentation led the team to create its first VR game, Shil, a puzzle game that warps the player’s reality 

Musical Bullet-Hell Afterbeat 1.0 Launches Today on PC

Leamington Spa, UK – October 08, 2026: Musical bullet-hell Afterbeat is out now on PC via Steam. Players can dive into a cacophony of lights, music, pulses and blocks for £13.75 / $14.99 / €15.49, with a 25% launch discount available during the first week.

Afterbeat’s 1.0 launch delivers its biggest update yet, with a fully revamped Story Mode featuring multiple endings, 22 levels, five bosses, new mechanics and environments. The update also introduces a significantly upgraded Level Editor, giving players more tools to create and share custom levels, alongside a redesigned Custom Level hub for discovering community creations.

The launch further adds improved tutorials and multiplayer UI, local file importing for custom levels, and localisation across Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Russian, making Afterbeat more accessible to players around the world.

Previously known as Project Arrhythmia, Afterbeat launched into Early Access in 2019 and currently holds an ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating on Steam.

Afterbeat features rhythm-based gameplay and local co-op for up to four players, challenging players to survive evolving, music-driven levels where everything moves to the beat.

About the game

Afterbeat is a musical bullet-hell in which all things beautiful are deadly. A cacophony of lights, music, pulses and blocks, Afterbeat features tight bullet-hell style gameplay where up to 4 players in local co-op must navigate their way through evolving scenes and obstacles, all timed to the beat.

STORY

Set in 207X, a mysterious disease called “LMNS” has been ravaging the world. A lone Chiral researcher, Anna Schroeder, attempts to find the cure with her trusty supercomputer companion HAL. Stumbling upon various “Projects,” the duo decides to investigate the efficacy of a cure using a pulse/rhythm-based interface.

CURRENT FEATURES

  • Complete Story Mode: Over 20+ hand-crafted, heart-pounding levels interwoven with an engaging story.
  • Dodge The Beat: Stages consist of mesmerizing, musically timed scenes, each one telling a story. Feel the rhythm and feel your way around the hazards! Anna will judge how you do.
  • Challenge Your Friends: Up to 4 players supported in local co-op mode.
  • Robust Level Editor: A carefully designed level editor allows users to create their own levels and challenges using whatever music they wish.
  • Huge Community: A wealth of user-created content exists, fully integrated into the game through the usage of the level editor and user-made levels. Already, 2000+ community levels have been uploaded, and more are being made daily.

“This game was previously known as ‘Project Arrhythmia.’”

About Kwalee

Kwalee is a multi-award-winning games publisher and developer based in Leamington Spa, UK. The company has built a growing catalogue of PC and console titles, including Wildmender, ROBOBEAT, Voidwrought, In Sink, Hordes of Hunger, The Precinct, Town to City, Don’t Stop, Girlypop!, Grime II, Modulus: Factory Automation, Rune Dice, Call of the Elder Gods, Ground Zero, Shift at Midnight, SPRAWL zero, Welcome to Elderfield, lily’s World XD and RetroSpace as well as upcoming titles including Hark the Ghoul, BPM Bitcrushed, Steam to Electric, Vampire: The Masquerade — ETERNAL WHISPERS, Ballistic.exe  and more.

Founded by games industry icon and Codemasters co-founder, David Darling CBE, Kwalee is supported by a global team of games experts, with studios in the UK, India, and remote locations worldwide. The company is actively seeking high-quality games to publish across all platforms and invites developers to get in touch.

Officially recognised as ‘Best Publisher’ at the TIGA Awards 2022, Kwalee is also a committed industry advocate, serving as an ambassador for the non-profit organisation Women in Games and regularly supporting charities such as Safe In Our World, GamesAid, and SpecialEffect. 

PUBG: DED.NET’S FIRST CLOSED BETA TEST BEGINS OCTOBER 9 ON PLAYSTATION 5 AND XBOX SERIES X|S

North American console players will be the first to experience the new multiplayer FPS and help shape the game through their feedback

EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. – OCTOBER 8, 2026 – KRAFTON, Inc. today announced the first closed beta test (CBT) for PUBG: DED.NET, a new multiplayer FPS from PUBG STUDIOS that combines shooter combat with roguelite progression. The test will begin on October 9 at 10 a.m. PT and run through October 12 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players in the United States and Canada. Sign-ups are now open at ded.net.

This test marks the first time the studio is opening the game to players following its reveal at gamescom 2026. Selected players in the U.S. and Canada will have the opportunity to play with friends, share feedback with the development team, and assess server and matchmaking stability ahead of future tests.

  • Closed Beta Registration Details: Players ages 17 and older in the U.S. and Canada with a PlayStation Network or Xbox account can sign up at ded.net. Access is limited and registration does not guarantee selection, but once beta participants are accepted, they can invite their friends to squad up and play together.
  • Player Feedback to Inform Development: PUBG STUDIOS is structuring the CBT as an active development test, with participant feedback feeding directly into ongoing development. Participants can submit feedback through in-game surveys and the official PUBG: DED.NET Discord, where they can also message developers directly.
  • Additional Regions Planned: While the first CBT will be conducted in North America, PUBG STUDIOS plans to expand testing to additional regions, with details on future tests to be announced at a later date. Players outside North America can also register at ded.net to be ready for future testing opportunities in their region.

Developed by PUBG STUDIOS and published by KRAFTON, PUBG: DED.NET is a console-first, free-to-play multiplayer FPS set within the PUBG universe. The game takes place in Cascadia, a fictional region of the Pacific Northwest in 1996, and combines shooter combat with roguelite progression across multi-match runs. Across each run, abilities and injuries carry over between matches, creating new tactical choices as players develop their characters.

For more information and closed beta registration, please visit ded.net. Players can also join the official PUBG: DED.NET Discord at discord.gg/x8DrRetxBm.

Spyder: Agent 8 is coming to PC and Consoles on 11th February 2027!

The world’s smallest secret agent is ready for some seriously big assignments!

Mark your calendars for 11th February 2027, when the family-friendly espionage adventure Spyder: Agent 8 arrives on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2!

To celebrate the announcement, check out our brand-new release date announcement trailer for a glimpse at the action-packed spy missions, gadgets, hidden collectibles, and bite-sized timed challenges waiting for Agent 8!

Can’t wait until February? The newly updated demo is now available on Steam, giving you the chance to jump in and get a taste of Spyder: Agent 8!

Take control of Agent 8 and tackle main missions as you work to stop the evil organisation Syndicate of International Nasties (S.I.N.) From your first mission in the War Room to encounters with astronauts, sabotaging a submarine and stopping a speeding train, every mission brings a new environment, new challenges and something different to overcome. Make sure you explore every corner and take advantage of Agent 8’s size. Being tiny has its advantages, you can squeeze into places a human could never reach!

Once you’ve completed each main mission, unlock Micro-Missions designed to put your spy skills to the test! These quick 3-minute challenges feature bite-sized objectives and give you a chance to put Agent 8’s gadgets and abilities to the test. These will prepare you for any mission!

Each mission has a range of hidden stickers waiting to be found, so keep your eyes peeled and see if you can collect them all! But don’t stop there. Once you’ve completed a mission for the first time, you can head back in and unlock Recon Mode, giving you a new way to approach the mission and discover even more. With new objectives to complete, collectibles to find and even the chance to uncover a new disguise to wear, there’s plenty of reason to return.

We’ve been hard at work using your feedback to make Spyder: Agent 8 even better, with smoother camera controls, more consistent movement and interactions, plus a bunch of other fixes and improvements. If you’ve played the demo before, give it another spin and see what’s changed! And if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s a great time to jump in.

Play the Demo now

About Spyder: Agent 8

From the BAFTA award-winning studio Sumo Digital comes a one-of-a-kind spy adventure!

Set in a retro-futuristic 1970s spy world, you play as Agent 8: the world’s tiniest and most adorable robot spider superspy. Built by the British Spy Agency S.A.F.E using experimental technology, Agent 8 was made for top-secret missions. With sticky sucker feet that cling to any surface, this little spy can crawl anywhere — even upside down.

Your mission is to stop the evil organisation S.I.N and save the world. From rescuing astronauts to sabotaging a submarine or stopping a speeding train, every level is packed with tiny spy-sized missions. Use Agent 8’s gadgets to slip past obstacles, explore every corner, and uncover clever surprises. It’s all about problem-solving, stealth, and adventure!

Unleash your Spyder skills and become the ultimate superspy!

Key Features

  • High-Tech Spider – Play as Agent 8, a tiny spy gadget that moves like a real spider! A clever, charming hero who can crawl into every hidden corner.
  • Spy Stealth Adventure – Sneak through exciting maps and complete daring missions. Hide from cameras, stay undetected, and outsmart obstacles before disaster strikes!
  • Spy Tools – Equipped with all the gadgets and gizmos you’ll need, use tools like your cutting torch to slice through panels or your web grapple to swing across gaps as you take on exciting spy missions
  • Clever Moves – Solve fun environmental puzzles! Push, pull, and launch objects to open secret paths, trigger surprises, and find creative ways to complete each mission.
  • Cool Vibes – Step into a colourful retro world inspired by 1970s spy films. Detailed, lively visuals bring every mission to life, making you feel like a true superspy.
  • Spider Vision – Crawl upside down, across walls, ceilings, and floors while the camera smoothly follows your moves. Take control or let it guide you for full crawling fun!
  • Secret Stash – Play levels again and again to uncover hidden treasures, find collectibles, and unlock achievements. A Spyder’s mission isn’t over until every secret is discovered!

Spyder: Agent 8releases 11th February 2027 on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2!

Steam demo also now available!

ENTER THE SPIRE: UPDATED DEMO FOR ‘SWORDEYE’ DEBUTS FOR STEAM NEXT FEST

Players can test their blade, conquer floors, and survive high-stakes PvPvE extraction combat.

Las Vegas, Nevada, 07 October 2026 | Solo developer ALX Theory is excited to share a new look at their directional swordfighting MMO title, Swordeye (formerly known as Swordai). The game’s latest demo will be available for October’s Steam Next Fest and features a comprehensive look at Swordeye’s open world and combat options. 

High-Stakes Melee Extraction

In Swordeye, precision is survival. Players dive into brutal, skill‑based combat where their skill with a blade is the only thing standing between them and a quick death. Every strike, block, or parry matters against both environmental hazards and other opportunistic players vying for the same loot. Progress through various trials and challenges to unlock skills and abilities for your customizable loadout and test your ability in battle against monsters and opposing swordsmen. 

Each floor of the tower is a unique, hand-crafted dungeon crawl with a variety of enemies, trials, and traps, plus the ever-present threat of other players. Compete to climb an expansive, interconnected, and persistent tower overflowing with monsters, traps, and treasure. Whether you’re playing with friends or fighting solo, the game’s massive multiplayer dungeons provide a challenge for everyone. 

Join the Climb

Be among the first to take on Swordeye’s merciless trials. The Steam Next Fest demo lets players explore the game’s open-world map, plus a tier 1 dungeon area and an updated Ice Cave. There, players can face off against NPCs or fellow players for big rewards while getting a handle on the directional combat system. Once they are ready to prove their mastery, players can fight further with tactical raids, 1v1 tournaments, and lethal duels. With limited-time progression, your sword and your wits are the only things standing between you and certain doom.

Gameplay Features:

  • Massive multiplayer dungeons: Group up with friends or go solo to face the tower’s dangers.  Compete to traverse massive interconnected dungeons filled with monsters, bosses, traps, and loot. Can you make it to the top? 
  • Directional combat: Swordeye combines a hardcore 6-directional combat system, including ripostes, feints, kicks, and combos, with persistent massive multiplayer dungeons, loot, abilities, and a skill tree.
  • Loot & Extract: As you progress, you will unlock skills and abilities, craft potions, upgrade gear, and customize your combat style as you strive to gain power and reach the top of the tower. 
  • Level up: Use your loot to upgrade your sword and craft new gear. As you progress and get stronger, you’ll unlock powerful new skills and abilities to use against your foes.

Swordeye is coming soon to Steam, and the new demo will be available during October’s Steam Next Fest. Join the game’s Discord for development updates and to connect with fellow players. Follow the game’s development on YouTube for insight into new features and commentary from the developer behind Swordeye. 

About ALX Theory

ALX Theory LLC is a one-man operation by Alex Sutherland, a solo developer from Las Vegas, Nevada. Combining two of his favorite genres, melee slashers and dungeon crawlers, Alex is making the game he’s always wanted to play with Swordeye– and he can’t wait to share it with the world.

Killing Floor 3 Treats Players to Free ‘Halloween Horrors: Ghastly Getaway’ Update, Reviving Classic Horror in New Seasonal Content; Now Available on Console and PC

Developer and publisher Tripwire Interactive today released the first annual seasonal event and latest free content for Killing Floor 3. Available to download and play starting today on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), the PlayStation®5 system and the XBOX Series X|S console systems, the ‘Halloween Horrors: Ghastly Getaway’ in-game event brings the Halloween season to 2091 starting with a completely redecorated player Stronghold to set the spooky tone. The visual treats continue with new models for all base Zeds and the recently added Moorcroft boss, inspired by classic horror movies, with both seasonal visual updates running through Nov. 5, 2026. The update also adds new permanent content including the Haunted Hotel map, filled with deadly tricks and permanently home to Halloween-themed Zeds, new single-weapon Gunslinger primary weapons, new Supply Pass and store cosmetics and much more.

Watch the ‘Halloween Horrors: Ghastly Getaway’ video on YouTube

Killing Floor 3’s ‘Halloween Horrors: Ghastly Getaway’ content update includes:

  • Survival Map – Haunted Hotel: Rumors of hauntings in the Hotel Iorga in Vladislav, Romania, line up with anomalies Nightfall has tracked in the location. Specialists will investigate the multi-story hotel ripped apart by a ritual that’s gone catastrophically wrong and unleashed untold horrors. Be careful fighting on higher floors, it’s a long way down. 
  • Future Zeds Meet Classic Horror: The Halloween spirit has even compelled the Zeds to join in on the fun! All base Zed models and Dr. Moorcroft have been replaced during the event and Specialists will now find themselves fighting against enemies inspired by classic horror movie monsters. Halloween Zeds are available on all maps through Nov. 5, and are a permanent addition to the Haunted Hotel map.
  • Stronghold Seasonal Update: The Stronghold gets a macabre new makeover as Nightfall welcomes the spookiest season in style. Enjoy the festive home base through Nov. 5.
  • Gunslinger Single-weapon Variants: Following the introduction of the Gunslinger class and their unique dual-wield pistol primary weapons, a cheaper single-weapon variant of all those weapons has been added. Players now have greater granular control over how they upgrade their primary pistols. 
  • Halloween Supply Pass: Play and earn 208 new rewards with the latest Supply Pass via both free and paid tracks, with cosmetics including the Commando Chicken, Chickenator, Weapons Skins, Trinkets, Player Cards and stickers. The store has also been updated to include cosmetics including the Skeleton Jumpsuit, Pumpkin Mask and Monster Mask.
  • Much More: New Main Menu Music, Daily Challenges, Wave and Weekly Mutators, Milestone Challenges, Quality of Life improvements, bug and crash fixes and ongoing balance and optimization work continues. A new system for veteran players with excess Supply Pass Points has been introduced, allowing players to spend them on Double XP boosters for Perks once per day.

For full details on all the changes and additions visit the patch notes in the Tripwire Interactive forums. Fans can also get a sneak-peak at progress on upcoming content and features in the latest Office Hours video. Players can also keep their eyes on the Killing Floor 3 social channels for updates on upcoming seasonal discounts and other treats!

Killing Floor 3 is the latest installment in the legendary co-op action/horror FPS series. The year is 2091, 70 years after the events in Killing Floor 2, and megacorp Horzine has produced the ultimate army: an obedient horde of bio-engineered monstrosities called Zeds. Now, the only thing standing between these infernal creations and the future of humanity is the rebel rogue group known as Nightfall. This intense first-person shooter puts players in the role of a Nightfall specialist, joining forces with up to five teammates as they battle through a war-ravaged, dystopian future, surviving unrelenting waves of Zeds, unlocking new skills and building the ultimate arsenal.

Developed and published by Tripwire Interactive, Killing Floor 3 launched on July 24, 2025 for PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), the PlayStation®5 system and the XBOX Series X|S console systems. Digital editions for all platforms include $39.99 for the Standard Edition, $59.99 for the Deluxe Edition and $79.99 for the Elite Nightfall Edition, with physical editions for PlayStation®5 and XBOX Series X|S available from select retailers as a Standard Edition with a MSRP of $39.99. This game is rated “M for Mature” by the ESRB and PEGI 18.

Killing Floor© 2009-2026 Tripwire Interactive. Unreal® is a trademark or registered trademark of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. Unreal® Engine, Copyright 1998-2026, Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: The Siege of Castle Doom Launches Nov. 10 on PC and Consoles + surprise trailer!

– The Fantastic Four’s most powerful member, and their greatest adversary, throw down in triumphant arcade-style gameplay –

PARIS (Oct. 8, 2026) – MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: The Siege of Castle Doom, the upcoming premium DLC for the acclaimed, tag-team co-op beat ‘em up celebrated by more than 1.5 million players to date, will launch on Nov. 10. Developer Tribute Games (Scott Pilgrim EX, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) and publisher Dotemu (Absolum, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge) shared the news today while treating New York Comic Con attendees to an all-new trailer, unveiling two additional playable characters set to debut via the DLC’s launch on Steam, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PlayStation 4 & 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: The Siege of Castle Doom’s impending new duo includes:

  • The Invisible Woman: Cosmic rays have given archeologist and explorer Susan Storm massive light-bending powers and force field manipulation. She now fights for the survival of the galaxy as The Invisible Woman, bringing in never-seen-before abilities to MARVEL Cosmic Invasion.
  • Doctor Doom: Equipped with high-powered tech armor of his own design, along with occult skills and his genius intellect, Doctor Doom is the biggest threat in the universe… and Annihilus definitely won’t be up to the challenge.

MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: The Siege of Castle Doom will also introduce an all-new game mode centered on Doctor Doom, continuing MARVEL Cosmic Invasion’s celebration of the golden eras of classic MARVEL storylines and entertainment by beckoning fans to the foreboding headquarters of Victor Von Doom. More details on the new mode’s gameplay and premise will be unmasked soon.

For the latest updates on MARVEL Cosmic Invasion: The Siege of Castle Doom, visit marvelcosmicinvasiongame.com, and follow @Dotemu and @TributeGames on X.

About MARVEL Cosmic Invasion

In MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, the immortal Super Villain Annihilus has launched an unprecedented attack across the galaxy, threatening all life as we know it. Fighters, both Earth-born and cosmic, must now join forces in a star-spanning adventure against the deadly Annihilation Wave. Choose from a playable roster of 17 Super Heroes, tagging between duos mid-fight with the innovative Cosmic Swap system to mix and match abilities while fighting to foil Annihilus’ grand plan: spreading death across the cosmos with the help of Thanos, M.O.D.O.K, Taskmaster and his most devious allies.

After setting the bar for arcade-inspired beat ‘em ups with the acclaimed, multimillion-selling smash hit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Dotemu and Tribute Games have once again modernized the timeless fun of brawlers with exciting tag-team fighting and a multi-era celebration of the most iconic comic book universe. MARVEL Cosmic Invasion embodies the spirit of classic MARVEL character designs and delivers thrilling action that’d look right at home in an arcade cabinet.

About Dotemu

Dotemu is a French publisher and developer specializing in revitalizing legendary pop culture franchises across video games, TV and cinema by releasing original PC and console games that feel like a dream come true to play. Dotemu crafts entertainment with heart in collaboration with passionate creative partners for fans around the world, both through games that revitalize a beloved IP and titles set in original universes that modernize the classic fun of all-time favorites.

Dotemu has published and developed a number of global top-sellers including the award-winning games Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, Streets of Rage 4, and NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound, as well as the new, innovative breakout hit IP Absolum. Dotemu’s development and publishing work also supported the release of the acclaimed Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!, Metal Slug Tactics, Windjammers 1 and 2, Pharaoh: A New Era, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and more.

Dotemu is currently working on Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Deathmaster, Theos: Cities of Myth and unannounced projects planned for 2026 and beyond.

About Tribute Games

Tribute Games is a studio developing and publishing video games with a focus on pixel art and classic game design. The Montreal-based studio has been steadily creating entertaining, challenging and retro-inspired games since 2011 using modern game development processes and technology. Their catalogue includes: Wizorb, Mercenary Kings, Curses ‘N Chaos, Ninja Senki DX, Flinthook, and Panzer Paladin. They are also the developers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, published by Dotemu, in partnership with Nickelodeon.

About Marvel

MARVEL is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment brands, built on an unparalleled library of iconic characters and stories that have shaped pop culture for 85 years. The MARVEL brand spans entertainment, including film, television, publishing, licensing, games, live events, digital media, and more.

For more information visit marvel.com. © 2026 MARVEL

DEADHAUS SONATA UNVEILS MASSIVE “DARK REBIRTH” OVERHAUL UPDATE LAUNCHING OCTOBER 20

Apocalypse Studios Reveals Sweeping Art Overhaul, Rebuilt Combat, Unreal Engine 5.7 Upgrade, and Major Performance Improvements in New Reveal Trailer 

ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO, CANADA — October 8, 2026 — Independent developer Apocalypse Studios today announced that ‘Dark Rebirth,’ a complete visual and gameplay overhaul update to its dark fantasy action-RPG Deadhaus Sonata, will launch on Steam Early Access October 20. This free update adds numerous new features in exploration and combat, addresses the majority of performance issues players encountered at Early Access launch, and showcases additions directly from player feedback demonstrating the dev team’s commitment to delivering a truly engaging action-RPG experience in a unique vampire world.  The studio also released an all-new in-game cinematic intro trailer showcasing the transformation of the game’s aesthetic, engine performance, and compelling storytelling narrative.

To commemorate this major milestone update, Deadhaus Sonata is now available for the limited promotional price of $14.99 (25% off M.S.R.P.) until October 26. 

  • Watch the new Deadhaus Sonata: Dark Rebirth Intro Trailer below.

Driven by player feedback following the game’s Early Access launch and a renewed creative direction for the project, Dark Rebirth represents a major new chapter for Deadhaus Sonata. The update migrates the game to Unreal Engine 5.7 while rebuilding major elements of its environments, visual identity, combat, progression, cinematics, and underlying technology.

“When we entered Early Access, the idea was to listen to players, test ideas openly, and iterate until we got it right,” said Denis Dyack, Founder and CEO of Apocalypse Studios. “Dark Rebirth is the result of many months of the team’s hard work and dedication to the vision. We’ve rebuilt the world, overhauled the visuals, and dialled in combat to be faster, cleaner, and far more satisfying. This update is just the beginning of the new vision for Deadhaus Sonata, and we can’t wait for our faithful community and new players to experience where we are all taking the game.”

Dark Rebirth also marks a major shift in the creative direction of Deadhaus Sonata under Creative Director Ethan McKinnon, who joined Apocalypse Studios in July 2026. Working alongside Dyack and the development team, McKinnon has helped lead the rebuilding of the game’s environments, lighting, visual identity, level design, cinematics, and overall player experience as the team establishes a new foundation for Deadhaus Sonata moving forward.

“When I came onto Deadhaus, I saw a game with a ton of potential and a team that genuinely wanted to make it better,” said Ethan McKinnon, Creative Director at Apocalypse Studios. “Dark Rebirth has been about taking a hard look at everything, keeping what works, rebuilding what doesn’t, and giving Deadhaus the scale, atmosphere, combat, and identity we know it deserves. The team has put an incredible amount of work into this update, and what players see on October 20 is really the beginning of where we want to take this game.

Dark Rebirth Key Features:

  • Complete Visual Overhaul & UE 5.7 Migration: Upgraded to Unreal Engine 5.7 delivers a consistent, stylized gothic look with rebuilt lighting passes, more realistic character models, and dynamic atmospheric weather effects, including lightning that does damage.
  • Massive Performance Optimization: High-polygon bloat has been stripped away in favor of cleaner geometry and streamlined rendering, drastically boosting framerates and lowering minimum specs across desktops and Steam Deck.
  • The Rebuilt Vale (5x Larger Map): The central proving ground has been remade from the ground up—expanding to five times its original size with greater verticality, new exploration paths, secrets to discover, and the debut of the Land of the Dead exterior hub.
  • Dynamic Combat & Dismemberment: Weapon pacing and attack timings have been balanced across distinct weapon archetypes (swords, heavy axes, long-reach spears). Visceral dismemberment mechanics have been added alongside increased battlefield blood spatter and finisher executions.
  • Vampire Visual Decay & Armor Progression: As players take damage, their character visually decays from pristine to emaciated, skeletal forms. Players begin stripped of armor with low health and a broken blade, and can achieve three progressive tiers of physical vampire armor.
  • Deterministic Systems & Expanded Tarots: Introduces the Feats and Inscriptions System and active Celestial Gates that align with planetary bodies. Additionally, five new Tarot cards will be available – The Frost Sovereign, The Void, The Messenger, The Tempest, and The Alchemist – bringing the total Tarot Cards to 12… with more planned to come!
  • Cinematic Camera & Photo Mode: Adds intelligent camera distance controls, wall occlusion visibility, dynamic perspectives inspired by classic psychological horror titles, and an integrated Photo Mode.

The Dark Rebirth content update will go live as a free patch for all existing Deadhaus Sonata Early Access owners on Steam on October 20. To learn more about Deadhaus Sonata, visit the official Steam store page.

About Apocalypse Studios Inc.
Founded in 2018 by veteran game developer Denis Dyack (Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen, Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes), Apocalypse Studios Inc. is an independent game development studio based in Ontario, Canada. Apocalypse focuses on dark fantasy storytelling, community co-creation, and deep systemic action-RPGs.

HELL IS US IS NOW AVAILABLE ON NINTENDO SWITCH™ 2

The release comes with a major update including 10 new enemies for all players

Lesquin, France, October 8, 2026 – Nearly a year after its release on PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series and with 2 million players reached, Hell is Us is now available on Nintendo Switch™ 2. To mark the occasion, a major update is expanding the bestiary with 10 new Hollow Walkers, available on all platforms.

Watch the launch trailer for Hell is Us on Nintendo Switch 2TM and learn more about the major update:

Already acclaimed upon its release for its unique world and gameplay philosophy, Hell is Us is expanding its content with new enemies. These enemies will require players to diversify their approach: it’s up to them to adapt the most effective limbic abilities and drone modules to defeat these terrifying new Hollow Walkers.

Developed by Rogue Factor and published by NACON, Hell is Us is a third-person action-adventure game combining melee combat, exploration and a captivating story. Players take on the role of Rémi, a protagonist on a quest to find his origins in a country ravaged by civil war. The country’s almost total autarky conceals a dark secret: the recent appearance of strange creatures reminiscent of ancient headstones and monuments in the region.

Armed with weapons specially forged to fight these monsters, Rémi must learn how to defeat them and use his equipment wisely. Through its Player-Plattering approach incentivizing players to follow their instincts rather than markers, the title aims to return to the roots of adventure games. It encourages reflection and observation by eliminating all forms of intrusive assistance.

Hell is Us is now available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch TM 2. The game will be also be available on GOG (PC) on October 29.

For more information about NACON games and accessories, visit: nacongaming.com.

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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.

About Rogue Factor

Rogue Factor is a Canadian video game development studio, founded in 2013 in Montreal. Its mission is to deliver captivating, mature and memorable video game experiences, made for a passionate and experienced audience in search of unique and complex flavors. Rogue Factor’s latest flagship title, Hell is Us, is an ambitious new IP featuring highly distinctive design and aesthetics, aiming to leave no one indifferent.

Play the demo for cryptid-collecting deck-building auto battler Portentum

Enjoy hours of free content ahead of the Early Access launch October 28th!

Salt Lake City, USA, October 8th, 2026 – Snowfall Games has just unleashed a very generous demo of their upcoming cryptid deck-building auto-battler Portentum ahead of its Steam Early Access launch October 28th. Portentum combines original hand-drawn cryptid artwork with deep deck-building strategy, letting you hunt for broken combos using legendary creatures from around the world, like Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, Mothman, the Chupacabra, and of course, Jimothy. If somebody’s uncle saw it in the woods in 1973, there’s a good chance it’s a card in Portentum!

Wishlist on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4836460/Portentum
Portentum website: https://portentum.game/

This Steam demo build lets you play standard runs as many times as you want with six developer-curated decks. Every time you go to battle a snapshot of your warband will be added to the matchmaking pool for other players to be matched against. You’ll also be able to preview the collection where you can view all the cards that will be available in the full game, but building your own deck will be locked until the full game launches. You can play a standard run at your own pace against other players on the ladder asynchronously. 

The Steam Early Access launch will add Tournament mode, where you can play against your friends in realtime, and Arena mode, where you draft a deck, will also be locked until the full game launches. Achievements, the store, and battle passes will also unlock upon launching on Early Access, where it will be free-to-play.

“With Portentum launching later this month we wanted to give players time to practice and experiment with the wealth of strategy that lies in store in the full game,” said Jaden Holladay, Co-Founder at Snowfall Games. “We’ll also be participating in Steam Next Fest, but after seeing the resounding response we had at PAX, we didn’t want to wait that long to let the rest of the world hop into our cryptid-collecting chaos!”

More about Portentum:
The rules of Portentum are simple: assemble a warband and win 10 rounds of battle. Build your deck of 30 cards, each containing a cryptid or mushrooms, then make strategic decisions with each hand you’re dealt, as you compete against another player’s warband.

Once you’ve assembled your deck, head to the shop to deal a hand from your selected deck for that run. Spend gold to play cards from your hand, mobilize a five-slot warband, and then send your squad of monsters out to fight! Win ten rounds to achieve victory. Lose five, and you’re out.

Portentum’s meta is ever-evolving, as every warband you create joins the pool that other players face. As you keep playing and opening card packs, entirely new deck-building possibilities and obscenely killer combos will enter the fray, providing an endless array of strategic possibilities and challenges!

About Snowfall Games: 
Snowfall Games is a small indie studio that has shipped 16 Fortnite titles in UEFN, drawing over 900 million impressions and 9 million plays. Our Fortnite games set in the worlds of KPop Demon Hunters and The Walking Dead have been spotlighted by Netflix and Skybound, and Epic Games has recognized The Dragon Queen for pushing the technical limits of UEFN. Portentum is Snowfall’s first standalone game, moving from Fortnite to Steam and into a world of its own.