• Thousands of fans witnessed the action live inside the Salt Lake Palace Convention Center in Utah, with many more following the event online as the first Major of the Season 2026 reached its conclusion.
• DarkZero Esports claimed the title, defeating Shopify Rebellion 3-1 in a North American derby Best‑of‑Five Grand Final and taking home a share of the $600,000 price pool.
• During the Grand Final broadcast, Osaka was revealed as the host city for the upcoming November Major, bringing top-tier Rainbow Six Siege esports to Japan later this year.

Sydney, Australia – May 18, 2026 – Today, DarkZero Esports defeated Shopify Rebellion 3-1 in a North American derby Best-of-Five Grand Final, securing the BLAST R6 Salt Lake City Major title and taking home $200,000 of the $600,000 price pool. In a high-intensity matchup between two of the region’s top teams, DarkZero Esports delivered a composed and decisive performance on the stage. 

Over two weeks of competition, the world’s top 19 teams gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, battling not only for the championship title but also for crucial points in the global standings on the road to the Six Invitational 2027. 

The Grand Final marked a fitting conclusion to the event, showcasing both the depth of North American talent and the continued global growth of Rainbow Six Siege esports. With strong individual performances, strategic execution, and resilience under pressure, DarkZero Esports proved themselves as the standout team of the tournament. 

“We aren’t done.” said DarkZero Esports player Alec “Fultz” Fultz. 

Osaka announced as next BLAST R6 Major host city 

During the Grand Final broadcast, Ubisoft and BLAST revealed that the next BLAST R6 Major will take place in the ATC HALL in Osaka, Japan, in November 2026.  Following successful global events across North America and Europe, the upcoming Major will bring top-tier Rainbow Six Siege esports back to Asia, continuing the circuit’s commitment to delivering world-class competition to fans across the world. 

Ticket sales will launch June 8, with fans able to register for updates and reminders at the following page:  r6esports.com/osakaregistration

More details on the event will be shared at a later date. 

About Ubisoft 

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2024–25 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.85 billion.  

To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com. 

About BLAST 

BLAST is a global competitive entertainment company with a mission to bring mega entertainment to the world, taking esports, gaming and other new competitive formats to the next level. BLAST is famous for pioneering the esports category through stunning high production quality, big creative ideas and game changing fan-first moments. Bringing together the biggest teams and brightest superstars to fight it out for glory and big-money-multi-million-dollar prize pools in the world’s biggest arenas from London and Singapore to Austin and Rio. BLAST has offices in Copenhagen (HQ), London, Berlin, Mumbai, Malta and New York City. The company is currently working with world-leading game publishers Epic Games, Valve, KRAFTON, Supercell and Ubisoft to produce, market and deliver esports for popular titles Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, PUBG, Brawl Stars, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2. 

Rainbow Six Siege unveils a bright-looking new season at Salt Lake City Major with new competitive features and sharpened tactical play

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 18 MAY 2026 – Today, Ubisoft revealed Rainbow Six Siege Year 11 Season 2 content at the Salt Lake City Major. Reaffirming the game’s competitive identity, Operation System Override is a high-stakes season focused on skill, mastery, and fair competition. Built around player feedback and the fundamentals that define Siege, Season 2 delivers a more rewarding and fair Ranked experience, a brand-new competitive map rooted in Rainbow Six legacy, Calypso Casino, and a Dokkaebi Operator remaster designed to sharpen tactical decision-making.

At the heart of Operation System Override is Ranked 3.0, the most significant overhaul of Siege’s competitive mode since its creation. Designed to deliver fair matches, clear progression and rewards that respect player’s time, Ranked 3.0 transforms the experience from the ground up. Placement matches return with faster rank adjustments, while progression is now fully transparent – there is no hidden Matchmaking Rank (MMR), and ranks accurately represent true player skill. Matchmaking has been streamlined so players now compete against opponents of the same visual rank, ensuring greater clarity and consistency in every match. Updated squad rules further reinforce balance and competitiveness across all skill levels. The reward system has also been reworked to better recognise layer engagement, with seasonal cosmetics, Competitive Coins, and Alpha Packs earned primarily through matches played.

Season 2 also introduces Calypso Casino, the first new competitive Siege map since Year 8. Inspired by the iconic map from Rainbow Six Vegas and reimagined for today’s competitive standards, Calypso Casino blends nostalgic identity with modern level design. Launching directly into Ranked 3.0, the map is designed to be read, mastered, and played at the highest level: with a new crane for rooftop access, a basement spawn for scaling up the casino façade, and an expanded drone vent network to navigate, verticality opens entirely new routes, strategies, and counterplay options. Calypso Casino will also join the esports pool in Season 3, reinforcing its place in Siege’s long-term competitive ecosystem.

In addition to these updates, Dokkaebi gets a full Operator Remaster that redefines her as a high-pressure intel-denial attacker. Her ability now delivers a more focused, personal, and targeted approach. Paired with her new primary weapon, a XK23 assault rifle, also available to Sens and Rauora operators, this modernisation strengthens Dokkaebi’s aggressive identity while keeping her impact intentional and tactical.

Operation System Override continues to reinforce Siege’s core experience with additional balancing updates and modernised maps (Emerald Plains, Kanal, Outback). Native mouse and keyboard support will be introduced on consoles at mid-season, supported by clear matchmaking rules to preserve competitive integrity. This addition strengthens Rainbow Six Siege’s ongoing efforts against cheating and complements Mousetrap, the existing detection tool for unauthorised mouse and keyboard usage on consoles.

Finally, with competition at the forefront, deeper esports integration delivers detailed Tier 1 team and player statistics directly within the esports tab. Along with more balancing updates, returning in-game events, and Ranked map rotations, will give players more reasons to jump in, play more often, and stay engaged.

With this new season, Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Sige reaffirms what defines it: a demanding, elite competitive experience that rewards mastery, teamwork, and consistency. As the team continues to listen closely to players and community feedback, Season 2 marks another step in strengthening trust and ensures Siege remains the standard for tactical shooters.

For more information on Rainbow Six Siege, visit RainbowSixSiege.com.

About Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal* and with more than 100 million registered players, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege puts players in the middle of a fast-paced, ever-evolving multiplayer experience grounded in the selection of unique Operators. Using the right mix of tactics and destruction, Rainbow Six teams engage their enemies in sieges, where both Attackers and Defenders have exclusive skills and gadgets at their disposal.

*Associate Ubisoft studios include Barcelona, Blue Byte, Bucharest, Kyiv, Red Storm, Reflections, Saguenay, Shanghai and Toronto.

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed ®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew®, Tom Clancy’s The Division®, and Watch Dogs®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalogue of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2021–22 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €2,129 million. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2026 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

CHICAGO – May 15th, 2026 – MangaGamer has announced two new licenses and the upcoming release of Beat Valkyrie Ixseal on USB at Anime Central 2026.

Umineko: When They Cry – Saku

Promotional Website

Umineko: When They Cry – Saku features three fan disks for the original Umineko series, all in one convenient package coming to MangaGamer.com and Steam.

Umineko: When They Cry – Saku includes:

• Umineko: When They Cry – Tsubasa
  A collection of 15 episodes from a small booklet distributed in the past at Comiket, adapted to visual novel format.
• Umineko: When They Cry – Hane
  The “Jessica and the Killer Electric Fan” and “Forgery No. XXX” stories.
• Umineko: When They Cry – Saku
  The stories “Our Confessions” and “Last Note of the Golden Witch” in which a new witch named Piece declares war against Battler, Enju, and Beatrice.

Although largely comical side stories unrelated to the main plot, they all add some additional background insight into the Umineko series.

Just like MangaGamer’s other Umineko releases, this version of Saku will feature newly drawn character sprites to match the Steam version’s upgraded visuals with an option to switch between them and Ryukishi’s charming original artwork.

Secret Affairs: Sweaty Midsummer Rut (18+)

Promotional Website

An NTR game from the studio who brought you Funbag Fantasy about a father stealing his own sons’ wives!

Otsuki Kenzou is living in seclusion in the countryside where he grew up following the death of his wife. Unable to watch their father wither away in obscurity, his three sons send their wives to live with him. His zest for life returns thanks to their devoted care, but along with it so does his sexual appetites. As he begins to see his daughters-in-law for the women they are, he attempts to “handle” things himself, but one day he’s caught in the act and…

Beat Valkyrie Ixseal USB Physical Edition (18+)

Store Page

The third and final installment of Alicesoft’s magical girl training Beat series, Beat Valkryrie Ixseal, is coming to USB physical edition on June 25th! The physical edition features the game and soundtrack on a custom USB flash drive along with a digital download code for the game, all in a beautifully illustrated case. Pre-orders are open now.

For more information on these, and other titles from MangaGamer, be sure to join the discussion on Discord or follow MangaGamer on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook. You can also check out their blog for comments from the staff and other featured articles!

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s biggest publisher of English translated Visual Novels. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular Visual Novels such as 07th Expansion’s Higurashi When They Cry series,Alicesoft’s infamous Rance series, and Novectacle’s critically acclaimed The House in Fata Morgana right from their homes.

Rip and tear through new wall art and a bomber jacket on the Official Bethesda Gear Store

DENVER – 16, May 2026 – Return to Hell in the DOOM: The Dark Ages first anniversary collection from Luke Preece x Bellelis, available now on the Official Bethesda Gear Store, powered by DPI Merch.

Celebrate the first year of the DOOM Slayer’s medieval war against Hell, the prequel to DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal (2020). The game became the biggest launch in id Software history with more than 3 million players in its first week, and earned an 85 on Metacritic. The collection rings in DOOM: The Dark Ages’ first anniversary with the Luke Preece x Billeis Collection, which includes the following items:

• Display the Slayer in action with a limited edition lithograph (only 666 copies available), wall banner, and canvas print
• Wear a sleek but demonic DOOM: The Dark Ages bomber jacket
• End a hard day in Hell with a comfy throw blanket

Shop the entire DOOM collection on the Bethesda Gear Store, including multiple exclusive items like The Art of DOOM: The Dark Ages, DOOM: The Dark Ages Red Keycard Stream Deck MK.2 by Elgato, and the four LP DOOM: The Dark Ages vinyl soundtrack.

The DOOM: The Dark Ages Luke Preece x Billelis Collection is available now on the Official Bethesda Gear Store, powered by DPI Merch. Follow Official Bethesda Gear on X and Instagram for the latest updates. 

About DPI Merch

Empowered by their passion for high-quality gaming merchandise, DPI Merchandising LLC specializes in creating products for video game enthusiasts. Their team works with gaming industry titans, including Bethesda, BioWare, CD Projekt Red, and SEGA. 

Follow DPI Merchandising LLC on X and Instagram for the latest updates. 

This weekend videogame developer Grove Street Games is hosting a second playtest for its large-scale multiplayer destruction sandbox game BeastLink. The superdestruction action kicks off Friday, May 15 at 1:00pm ET concluding Monday, May 18 at 10:00am ET, and players are invited to sign up now through the BeastLink Steam Page for a chance to play.
 
This playtest will have three playable beasts: the Horned Lizard, the Mandrill and the Bull Shark with gameplay updates from player feedback last weekend, including:

• More Dynamic Kaiju Fighting: Kaiju battles with more freedom of movement, with improvements to nearly every aspect of fighting.
• New Map: Wharf now joins the mix. Steer clear of the water and make use of all-new ziplines and cranes!
• PvE & PvP Game Modes: With lots of feedback on mode preference, the playtest this weekend will feature both PvP and PvE versions of various game modes. Pick which server you’d like to try. 
• Battle Arena: Now selectable from the Deployment Menu, you can play immediately as a Beast against friends, the CPU or by yourself and just level the city for fun.
• Human Customization Improvements: Many improvements have been made across the entire Augmentation Suite – make sure to test out the presets!

Monster-sized mayhem on an unprecedented scale, BeastLink combines tactical human-led missions and vehicular combat with the city-destroying, raw power of colossal Kaiju! Built on Unreal Engine 5, BeastLink uses Grove Street Games’ proprietary SuperDestruction system to push environmental wreckage to a new level. This fully networked, physics based system lets players reshape the map as both human or Kaiju. Featuring over 250,000 destructible objects and tens of millions of individual pieces, players strategically reshape entire city blocks, turning urban environments into tactical rubble.
 
BeastLink will launch into Early Access this summer on PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Steam PC.
 
Sign up for BeastLink playtests, and follow development updates on PlayBeastLink.com.

Walnut Creek, California — May 14, 2026 | Maximum Entertainment today announced that open-world adventure Smalland: Survive the Wilds is now available on Nintendo Switch 2 and includes all updates previously released on other platforms.

Watch Smalland: Survive the Wilds’ Nintendo Switch 2 launch trailer here:

Smalland: Survive the Wilds Key Features:

• Scale skyscraper sized trees, scramble through cavernous cracks in roads, and more as you experience the unique biomes of Smalland’s huge open world.
• Craft powerful armor sets to personalize your appearance, grant you resistance from the elements, abilities and more.
• Tame and ride wild creatures from Geckos to Scorpions, the world and its inhabitants are yours to conquer.
• Scavenge, refine and craft resources to build your encampment on the ground or in the canopy.
• Claim a Great Tree to design and build a base that will follow you to any world.
• Uncover ancient lore from hidden NPCs scattered throughout the world as you learn to survive in this hostile wilderness.
• Play solo or with up to 9 additional friends in multiplayer.
• The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Smalland: Survive the Wilds will include all post-launch updates already available on other platforms, featuring guilds, stables, The Underlands, and much more. 

Smalland: Survive the Wilds is an open-world survival adventure where players step into the role of the Smallfolk, a tiny civilization living among the towering grass, insects, and creatures of a vast wilderness. In this beautifully realized miniature world, everyday elements of nature become immense landscapes to explore. Players must craft tools, build shelters, tame creatures, and brave the elements as they carve out a place in this dangerous ecosystem, playing solo or cooperatively with friends in multiplayer.

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.

Lose the game. Lose a finger. A sinister new horror experience turns Rock, Paper, Scissors into a brutal fight for survival.

Guildford, UK – 15 May, 2026. Indie developer Buzzin’ Games, a three-person studio debuting their first title, has officially revealed Rock, Paper, Severed, a dark, horror-infused reimagining of the classic hand game where every decision carries a gruesome cost. The game is set to launch on PC via Steam in 2026.

At its core, Rock, Paper, Severed is deceptively simple: sit at the table, play Rock, Paper, Scissors, and try to win. But in this twisted version, losing doesn’t just mean defeat; it means sacrifice. Each wrong move costs players a finger, raising the stakes with every round in a tense battle of strategy, nerve, and survival.

Presiding over the game is the mysterious Entity, a shadowy host offering players a chance at absolution. Those who sit at the table are drawn in by the promise of wiping away their sins, but leaving is not so simple. As matches unfold, fragments of the past begin to surface, and the true cost of the game becomes horrifyingly clear.

A dark and mysterious teaser trailer is now available, offering a first glimpse of the Entity, the table, and the terrifying stakes at play.

Watch the nerve-shredding Rock, Paper, Severed reveal trailer below.

A Game of Nerve, Strategy… and Survival

Rock, Paper, Severed blends fast, familiar gameplay with psychological tension and strategic depth:

• High-Stakes Gameplay – Every loss comes at a cost. Every decision matters.
• Twisted Tools – Use a range of items to manipulate outcomes, shift momentum, and outplay your opponents.
• Read or Be Read – Bluff, predict, and outthink your rivals in a deadly mind game.
• A Cast of the Condemned – Choose from a group of characters, each with their own secrets and reasons for playing.

Face the Entity. Or Each Other.

Players can challenge the game in multiple ways:

• Single Player – Face the Entity in a tense one-on-one duel where the stakes are personal, and the story unfolds with every round.
• Multiplayer (2–4 Players) – Enter brutal matches with friends where only one walks away whole.

Whether alone or with others, every match is a test of how much you’re willing to lose to win.

Dig Deeper Into the Darkness

Alongside the reveal, Buzzin’ Games has launched an interactive website filled with hidden secrets, cryptic clues, and unsettling discoveries. But finding them won’t be straightforward…

A clue to help you navigate and decipher the site is hidden within the reveal trailer itself. Players are encouraged to watch closely, dig deeper, and uncover the path for themselves. Those who do may begin to piece together the darker truth behind Rock, Paper, Severed. Head to www.rockpapersevered.com to start your journey. 

Wishlist Now

Rock, Paper, Severed is coming toPC via Steam in 2026. Players can wishlist the game now to stay up to date as more details emerge.

Take a seat. Play your hand. Just don’t expect to leave whole.

The atmospheric Neo-Giallo survival horror game is the final installment in the cult-hit trilogy, coming this year to PC and consoles

CATANIA, Italy — May 15, 2026 — Today, award-winning video game developer and publisher Stormind Games has revealed more details about Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy, the third installment in the Remothered survival horror franchise. The studio has unveiled an atmospheric new Story Trailer introducing the game’s setting, which evokes the classic Italian horror heritage of the Giallo genre.

In Red Nun’s Legacy, players will enter a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Exploring a shadowy convent, you’ll need to use your wits to overcome disturbing revelations, secrets, and a twisted reality to learn the truth behind the Red Nun—all while surviving the relentless Stalkers preying upon you. Coming later this year to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, the game will deliver a grand finale to the story of the first two Remothered titles while introducing a refreshed vision with thrilling gameplay, storytelling and cinematics.

“Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy is the culmination of the series, and we can’t wait to share this grand finale with the fans,” said Stormind Games CCO Daniele Azara. “Storytelling has always been at the heart of Remothered, and this trailer gives players, old and new, a deeper look into the mystery, the characters, and the horror behind the Red Nun.”

Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy is designed as a standalone experience that fans of old-school horror can dive right into and enjoy without playing the original two games, while existing fans of the series will find an intense and satisfying payoff to the games’ creeping, liminal narrative.

In a final exciting reveal, the studio has also lifted the curtain on a voice cast featuring horror gaming royalty. The voice cast of Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy was revealed in a recent community video, introducing Cissy Jones (The Walking Dead, Life is Strange, BAFTA winner for Firewatch) as Susan and Maggie Robertson (Lady Dimitrescu in Resident Evil Village) as the Red Nun herself. In the new video, Cissy and Maggie talk about their characters and the inspirations they bring to their roles. This follows from last week’s huge news that legendary composer Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill) will provide the soundtrack for the game, as announced in a second community video.

Key Features

• Survive Horrific Stalkers: Challenge your survival instincts by hiding and evading from the murderous Stalkers hunting you down, and even fight back in critical moments.
• An Homage to Old-School Horror: Feel the atmosphere of this heartfelt love letter to third-person survival horror adventures of the past.
• Harness Hypnosis Powers: Read objects to reveal forgotten memories, expose concealed passages, and reshape your understanding of the environment.
• Explore a Richly Detailed World: Find clues and key items in a sprawling game world, and solve puzzles to access new areas and progress to the final revelation.
• Uncover the Secrets of the Cristo Morente: Learn the forgotten story of the convent, the cradle where the terrifying myth of the Red Nun began.

Remothered: Red Nun’s Legacy is available to wishlist on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG.com.

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 andA Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, the first-person horror adventure based on the Paramount Pictures franchise. They also co-developedMafia: The Old Country alongside Hangar 13 and 2K. More information at: https://stormindgames.com

Begin building and upgrading your airship ahead of its feature in June Steam Next Fest!

[Nova Scotia, Canada – May 15, 2026] — Ready to take to the skies?The demo for Ballast Studio’s Cloudbreaker, an upcoming tactical roguelite survivorslike, launched today on Steam! This is your chance to dive in and begin transforming your ship into an engine of destruction ahead of Steam Next Fest this June.

It’s the worst case scenario: Haven is sinking. Power is waning, food is dwindling, and gathering the engine parts to defend against Biotes grows more difficult by the day. As a Cloudbreaker, it’s your mission to recover a Bloil Crystal to ensure Haven’s survival for generations to come.

Your ship is your greatest weapon. As you tear through hordes of Biotes, the lingering biotech experiments of past civilizations, continue to upgrade your ship’s arsenal by securing new engine parts and equipping them in the Engine Grid: an inventory management puzzle system. Each engine part interacts with the grid differently, and if you’re strategic about it, you can create powerful synergies. As you upgrade, regenerate, and grow more powerful, you’ll find it easier to cut through new layers of cloud and get closer to the Bloil Crystal each run.

About Cloudbreaker

• Explore & Survive – Descend through a dangerous sky-world filled with ruins, resources, and waves of enemies as you push deeper into the clouds.
• Engine Grid System – Upgrade your ship using an inventory management puzzle system where Engine Part placement determines your power and build.
• Build Synergies – Combine unique Engine Parts and relics to create powerful interactions that evolve your strategy every run.
• Unlockable Airships – Expand your fleet with ships that feature distinct Engine Grid layouts and abilities, supporting varied playstyles.
• Deep Customization – Upgrade ships and weapons through dedicated upgrade trees to tailor each run to your preferred strategy.
• Boss Battles – Take on bosses and mini-bosses that test your build and execution.
• Full Controller Support – Play with Keyboard + Mouse or full Controller support.

Haven is awaiting your arrival, download the Cloudbreaker demo today on Steam! Don’t forget to drop a wishlist to show the devs some love, and also stay up-to-date on the latest Cloudbreaker news. 

About Ballast Games

Ballast Games is a two-person studio from Nova Scotia, Canada. They are setting out to hand craft concise, aesthetically considered games.