A Sweeping Cinematic Opening Sets the Stage for Ramza and Delita’s Unforgettable Story
SYDNEY (Sept. 3, 2025)– This past weekend at PAX West, SQUARE ENIX showed off the opening cinematic for its upcoming standalone tactical RPG, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles. Debuting during the “Making of FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles” panel, the updated cinematic offers a glimpse into the early lives of Ramza and Delita, setting the stage for their harrowing journey through Ivalice. The sequence also showcases the emotionally rich soundtrack that will bring the epic story to life when the game launches on September 30 across all major consoles and PC.
View the opening movie here
Held before a packed audience of enthusiastic fans, the panel featured Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa, with voice actor Ben Starr serving as host. Together, they explored the development of the original game, along with the enhanced features that both longtime fans and newcomers can look forward to in this upcoming tactical RPG, including refined graphics, a newly enriched script, full voice acting, and a suite of quality-of-life updates designed to deliver a modern gameplay experience.
Developed by key members of the original FINAL FANTASY TACTICS team like Maehiro and Minagawa alongside a new generation of creators, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles blends legacy and innovation. Among the fresh faces is Co-Director Ayako Yokoyama, whose unique vision is helping shape the next chapter of this beloved tactical RPG.
Today, SQUARE ENIX unveiled a new blog feature titled “Next-Gen Visionaries Part 1: The FINAL FANTASY TACTICS Co-Director Shaping The Ivalice Chronicles,” offering an in-depth interview with Yokoyama. The piece explores her journey as a game developer, her role as Co-Director, and her creative approach to reimagining Ivalice for a new era. Part 2 of the series, which delves into how Yokoyama’s fresh perspective is elevating The Ivalice Chronicles to new heights, will be published tomorrow, September 4 at 1:00 AM Australian Standard time / 3:00 AM New Zealand Standard time on the Square Enix Blog (Sept 3. 8:00 AM Pacific / 11:00 AM Eastern).
Hailed as a genre-defining title and one of the greatest FINAL FANTASY stories of all time, FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles transports players into the medieval Kingdom of Ivalice as it finds itself steeped in a deepening global conflict. Tailored for both longtime and new players alike, the beloved tactical RPG makes its return with a revamped and enriched script, fully voiced dialogue, and stunning upgraded graphics that add to the game’s immersive feel. The game also provides significant quality-of-life updates to make its turn-based combat and elaborate character progression system more accessible for all players, including an updated UI and a new auto-save function.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles will include both enhanced and classic versions of the game. The enhanced version features modern upgrades and quality-of-life changes, making FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles the perfect entry point to the tactical RPGs. The classic version takes a more nostalgic approach, recreating the game and perfectly tailoring it for players who want to relive the original FINAL FANTASY TACTICS.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles will launch on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PS5®, PS4®, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Steam Deck on September 30, 2025. For more information, visit: https://finalfantasytactics.com/.
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX and TAITO branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 203 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 94 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Grow Crops, Raise Animals, Cook Food and Hang Out with Friends in this Much Anticipated New Farming Game
Seattle, WA – September 2, 2025 – HYTOPIA today announced the Open Beta launch of its much-anticipated game SkyGarden, a cozy, progression-based farming MMORPG., Free to play starting today, SkyGarden invites players to cultivate their dream islands, connect with friends, and blossom into legendary “SkyGardeners.”
Blending farming, crafting, and resource management with social features, SkyGarden offers players a relaxing and rewarding journey. Starting on a modest 10×10 island, players can plant crops, raise animals, cook meals, and craft decorations while expanding their land into a thriving paradise. Uniquely, crops continue growing even when players are offline, and resource production scales with land size, creating meaningful progression without constant attention.
Gameplay Features:
Build Your Dream Garden: Start small and expand your island with new plots, cosmetic enhancements, and upgrades that unlock through 30+ levels of progression.
Grow & Create: Harvest crops, craft items, and cook meals to sell or consume for XP boosts.
Extensive Customization: Choose between player models, customize your island’s skybox to match your mood, and select background music to create the perfect farming atmosphere.
Play Solo or Together: Progress alone or visit other players’ islands for pastoral inspiration.
Beautiful Hub World: Socialize in the stunning Hub world where you can collect rewards, shop, expand your island, and craft items before seamlessly transitioning back to your personal garden.
Community & Gifting: Trade crops and crafted items through the in-game gifting system and collaborate on achievements for XP and rewards.
Competitive & Social Elements: Climb leaderboards in regular competitions for rare items, complete daily tasks with eight objectives plus login streaks, and use the achievement system to earn island boosts.
SkyGarden is led by Shrimp, a seasoned full-stack developer with over 7 years of enterprise experience and extensive background in Minecraft plugin development, including notable work on Dungeon Realms. The team also includes Sebu, a talented Minecraft artist and builder responsible for SkyGarden‘s stunning Hub world and intricate model designs, who brings extensive experience in map creation and has built a following through engaging build videos.
This launch represents a milestone for HYTOPIA‘s commitment to supporting native innovation and empowering creators who choose to build their visions on the platform. SkyGarden embodies HYTOPIA‘s vision for social, accessible gaming experiences, combining the proven appeal of cozy farming games with community interaction, polished progression systems, and seamless multiplayer integration.
About HYTOPIA
HYTOPIA is a next-generation game creation platform built to empower indie studios and professional creators. Designed for cross-platform play and instant browser access, HYTOPIA removes barriers between developers and players by making it easy to create, publish, and play games without installs or complex setup. For more information please visit www.hytopia.com, follow us on X, and join the discussion on Discord.
Over the last few years the line between remaster and remake has blurred to the point that most remasters are just straight remakes. Sure, there are still plenty of collections and titles that are given a slight visual upgrade or quality of life features, but there are just as many that have been re-built from the ground up, using only the framework of the original to help establish itself. Such has been the case for the last few Story of Seasons games and nowhere is it more evident now than with Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar that has seen countless mechanics that were previously tied to DS mechanics or limited by the handhelds’ systems now grow far beyond the roots that it once had. So now that Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar has fully arrived in its remade form, is it a worthy harvest?
Story
Zephyr Town used to host one of the biggest and bustling bazaars that one could possibly attend but those times have long since passed. Now, while this quaint town might still host its bazaar every Saturday, it barely sees any visitors to the point that many of its residents have grown disheartened and even the town’s signature windmills have been left to fall into disrepair. Players take on the role of their own created farmer, male or female, and are given the opportunity to take control of the former farmer’s farm that has been left to sit idle since she departed for reasons unknown. With the town’s mayor hoping that revitalizing the farm may see the town’s bazaar also see some revitalization, it is up to the player on how to handle things from then on.
As per usual for many Story of Seasons games, the grand storyline takes more of a backseat here, though some primary story beats are unveiled and revealed as players progress through the game and clear primary goals such as meeting certain requirements imposed by the “Bazaar Committee” that’ll increase the “rank” of Zephyr Town’s bazaar and draw not only more customers but also more vendors to potentially set up their own stalls, including some of the townsfolk themselves and even some familiar faces that fans have played other games in the series will recognize, open up more facilities for use in the town, and even open up more of the town as well. Instead the primary story comes from the villagers of the town itself and who players may want to pursue.
Considering the game has been made so players can marry any of the six bachelorettes or six bachelors in the game, with a brand new man and woman being added into the game as marriage candidates, there are a wide-range of options available. Many of the characters remain the same looking, or at least relatively similar, to how they did originally though all have been given name changes, though it is worth noting that the girl helping manage the town’s inn, Maple, has been completely retooled from her previous version of Daisy. Interestingly enough, as soon as players meet a character they are given some small clues as to what they may like such as favorite color and general items, making initial romance building quite easy to figure out. June for example, loves Magic Blue Flowers because she likes the color Blue, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some challenges along the way.
In an interesting twist on offering different challenges, there are not only various fully voiced scenes that players will be able to see, indicated by little exclamation marks on the map, for characters at certain relationship levels, there are also literal locks that appear on a character’s heart from time to time as well. This means players usually need to either see a specific scene or complete a request from the character to actually help move the relationship further. Not only does this help encourage players to engage in some elements of the game they may have otherwise not bothered with, but also makes the relationships in the game, including even townsfolk that players can’t marry, more engaging.
It is interesting to note as well that, while the game does not feature the Harvest Goddess in any way similar to the original version, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar does feature the harvest sprites. These five little guys play less of a story role but do help factor in when it comes to various gameplay elements which we will go over later. Their inclusion does help maintain series consistency and it is nice to see that each has their own special theme this time around as well, even if it is kept rather minimal.
Gameplay
For many fans of Story of Seasons, Grand Bazaar will still feel mostly the same as the core farming mechanics are all the same as usual with players being given a plot of land that allows them to plant various crops/trees that only grow or produce during certain seasons. Players will need to water these crops daily and eventually harvest them, with fertilizer being optional to increase the quality level of the item. It is interesting to note that sometimes special rare types of crops can grow instead, such as extra-large turnips though these seemed more random than something players could plan for. What has changed is the fact that players no longer have an individual axe and hammer, instead the item is combined into a two-in-one used for cleaning up debris and mining, the “pasture” that players will use to feed their farm animals is actually a legitimate pasture in the back of the barn, not just grass planted in the field, being able to actually jump, and of course the fact that sets this game apart entirely, the way money is almost entirely made. The Bazaar.
Whereas most games in the franchise see players dropping their items in the shipping container without a thought about what will happen to them or perhaps turning them in for a request that might reward some money, instead every Saturday players will find themselves being able to manage their very own stand at the town bazaar through the morning and evening shifts. While it is entirely possible to sell items at the general store, doing so does not contribute to the bazaar’s growth, a persistent story mechanic as mentioned before, nor does it allow for various modifiers to increase their value. You see, while players will initially start with only a basic vending stall with a standard tent and one table, they can eventually unlock and purchase various bonuses and different decorations that do everything from boosting the quality of items, their sales price, how much a certain type of item might attract attention from passerbys and more.
Actually selling things is simple, players will need to store items within their “stock” before starting a shift and anything in the stock can then be placed on an empty spot on a table. Players can ring a bell to help draw attention to their goods and if people see what they want, they’ll head right over and an item can be sold with a tap of a button. Sometimes items that the player may have in-stock but not displayed will appear as “thought bubbles” above a customer’s head and replacing an item with the one they are looking for will instantly draw their attention and a purchase. In-between shifts players can take some temporary time to run around the bazaar and do some shopping of their own as special seeds, personal and town upgrades, livestock and pets, and many other aspects are only available for purchase on Saturday. This can be a bit limiting at times but does allow players to put their hard-earned cash to immediate use, spending their profits to expand the size of their plantable land or even the quality of their soil, the size of their storage, or even using another currency entirely in the form of “Happiness” with the aforementioned Harvest Sprites.
Happiness is earned by doing basically anything and it happens randomly, petting your dog might reward some points, viewing a scene rewards a number of points, even harvesting your own crops can reward points. Either way, Happiness can only be spent at the Harvest Sprites’ own shop and offers a variety of boons such as extra decorations, a Power Berry, and more. While selling at the player’s stall, the Harvest Sprites will also slowly fill up a gauge depending on what items players are selling and can trigger a special sales time that applies extra bonuses to items that are sold for a limited time. Not only can this be used to freeze time when close to closing in an attempt to sell out, but also a way to earn extra money as each Sprite offers unique bonuses during this special sales time.
Outside the Bazaar the Harvest Sprites have another use entirely. Each one has something they like, be it fish, forageable items, mushrooms, honey, etc, and giving them that item will slowly fill up a meter that rewards Happiness points and at certain levels permanently boosts the quality of all items of their specialty. This is a great way to help accomplish specific goals that require higher-quality dishes or items to be created but does cause something of a storage issue since different quality materials do not stack with one another. As such players might end up with a large amount of .5 star ore that then gets compounded with 1 star ore, 1.5 star ore, etc. Sure, they can be sold or discarded but it is an annoyance especially since there are very few mining spots within the game as there is no actual mineshaft. The only form of mining are little ore deposits around town that change from season to season and depending on the wind speed some may not even be accessible.
Yes, there is wind speed in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar and unlike the original, it isn’t controlled by manual breathing but by the actual weather forecast. Wind speed plays a role in two ways, traversal and crafting. In the game players have the ability to jump as mentioned before and can even purchase the “knowledge” to double-jump, which can also be used to increase tool reach and even bulk harvest, but they will quickly be given a glider by the Harvest Sprites that allows them to glide around and reach unreachable places on the windiest days, often with rare mining spots, or simply traverse town in certain directions faster. It also determines how quickly the three unlockable windmills craft items. As players advance through the game, generally by upgrading their Bazaar level, they’ll unlock quests to help repair the windmills around town, each with increasingly more complicated recipes and fancier items that they can produce as a result. Everything is crafted in real-game time, meaning that turning a bottle of milk into yogurt will take anywhere from six to twelve in-game hours depending on the wind is blustery or still that day, though thankfully players can have five items making at the same time and can even set things to craft overnight, allowing longer recipes to still be created even during still days.
Other things such as cooking are handled simply enough, with recipes earned either through completing little quests for villagers as mentioned before, located when exploring the town, or simply by eating an item for the first time. Pets actually serve a few purposes as well and players can even have multiple pets, petting them and even training them for help on the farm. Dogs will help herd larger animals such as sheep and cows while cats will take care of chickens. The higher the training of the pet the more animals they can herd in and out of the barn, making managing and feeding the livestock easier, though players will still need to be hands on when it comes to brushing, milking, shearing, and actually showing affection to their livestock for higher quality produce.
Oddly enough, a few other changes are far less clear or simply make no sense. The fishing game has been drastically altered with players having to take part in directional inputs through lengthy fishing sections, especially against “large” type fish, that simply takes too long to feel worthwhile most of the time. Similarly, while exploring the town we often saw bugs of various kinds scattering around and wondered when they would be catchable with a net only for one of the little girls to request we catch her some ladybugs and finally trigger a tutorial saying there is no net, players need only to walk slowly up to a bug to catch it. This lack of tutorial for such a simple mechanic was incredibly surprising with how prominent they were. Other aspects such as purchasing a log to grow mushrooms on or a beehive in the mountain to gather honey are self-explanatory and simple enough to master but a few more tips here and there would have been helpful.
It is also worth noting that, while all Story of Seasons games are always about managing stamina use and getting things done at the same time, it feels like Grand Bazaar is a bit egregious with how limited players’ initial stamina is. While players can improve their stamina through obtaining Power Berries, they are slim pickings throughout most of the early to mid game and while cooking and eating food is always helpful, taking a bath can also restore stamina but this last option also costs time. Time is another issue that can eventually start to be an issue later in the game as players find increasingly larger locations to explore, tasks to complete, and more, making trying to cram everything in into one day somewhat of a challenge for those that try to spread themselves too thin.
Audio & Visuals
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is impressive looking with a wide variety of different character designs and although all major NPCs have their standard models, they also have their wonderful character portraits as well. These portraits offer more expressive and detailed looks at the characters as players interact with them. It is worth noting that generic NPCs also explore the town to help make it feel a bit more lived in. Zephyr Town is designed well-enough and makes great use of multi-level design to hide various secrets that require the aforementioned movement options to reach them. Crops look the same as players would expect and animals do as well, and it is nice to note that there is a good amount of variety of different dog and cat species to acquire and their breed is purely cosmetic. A husky can herd just as many livestock as a Shiba Inu.
There is some voice work for the game as a new English dub has been recorded but it is also worth noting that not every interaction has fully voiced dialogue. Only event scenes and story scenes are fully voiced with every character having fitting voicework, side-events or standard interactions will just have characters making small quips that players will quickly grow accustomed to. As for the soundtrack, the game features some great background music to fit with its simple farming atmosphere and mixes things up depending on season, location, and of course whether a festival is happening or not.
Overall
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar takes a title that was not only stranded on handheld but limited by its original platform as a result and has expanded on it in almost every way possible. Zephyr Town is filled with a charming cast of characters and a great balance of romance options and adding in various movement abilities along with the farming mechanics being as tried and true as usual mean this endearing farming game is as enjoyable as ever. Some elements, such as having crafting depending on wind speed, fishing being annoying, and an initial stamina hurdle might hurt the experience a bit, but the biggest change of actually having a booth to sell your produce and crafted items makes farm life as engaging as ever, rather than simply dumping everything in the shipping box as usual.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Hook: Complete Edition is now available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The collection includes two popular and highly rated puzzle games. Created by Maciej Targoni, the games combine minimalist puzzles with intuitive and relaxing gameplay. The release date for PS4 and PS5 is set for September 2, 2025. Hook: Complete Edition is also available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
The two titles included in the collection were developed by Polish creator Maciej Targoni, who is also known for other puzzle games, such as Klocki. On Steam, both games currently hold a 97% positive rating from players. So far, the Hook series has been played by more than 2 million users on PC and mobile devices.
The console version of Hook: Complete Edition was prepared and released by Ultimate Games S.A.
Hook: Complete Edition includes two games – Hook and Hook 2. Both are based on easy-to-understand mechanics that involve removing hooks in the correct order. The rules are simple, but many levels in Hook require careful thinking. In Hook 2, players will also discover a new dimension and additional mechanics.
The games in the Hook series are distinguished by minimalist visuals and calming ambient music. The presentation helps maintain focus, while the lack of time pressure makes the gameplay even more relaxing.
Hook: Complete Edition – Key Features:
Relaxing brain training
Simple and intuitive gameplay
Minimalist visuals and ambient music
Two games in one collection
Affordable price
The release date for Hook: Complete Edition on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 is September 2, 2025. The standard price is $4.99 / €4.99 or the equivalent in your local currency.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands — September 2, 2025 | Kakao Games is excited to reveal that the World 22 update is now live in Guardian Tales, introducing players to the blazing-hot new world of Mount Volver.
The World 22 update sees players venturing into the blazing heart of Mount Volver, the birthplace of Flame Dragons, in search of the Eternal Flame – the key to reclaiming Kanterbury Castle. Joined by Girgas, son of the Flame Dragon King, players will face fiery trials ruled by the Dragon King and her three divine avatars.
Alongside the new lava-filled location, Guardian Tales World 22 is adding a brand new playable character to the game. Kahlor was the first avatar of the Flame Dragon King, and was entrusted with the king’s final will to protect all of Mount Volver. A melee Warrior of the Fire Element who can wield two-handed swords, Khalor comes equipped with a special Flame Control ability, and an exclusive weapon, Volcanic Fury.
To celebrate the launch of World 22, Guardian Tales players will be able to take part in the latest 50 Free Summons event. Running from 2 – 15 September, this event allows players 10 free summons a day, up to 50 summons total.
About Guardian Tales
Guardian Tales is a new game from Kong Studios that unites charming pixel art graphics and action-adventure dungeon crawling linked together by a journey travelling a rich diversity of worlds, inspired by the history of gaming.
About Kong Studios
Kong Studios, Inc. is a startup headquartered in Silicon Valley of the U.S. The studio focuses on developing games with unique and new gameplay perspectives. The studio has so far released Dungeon Link and is now working on Guardian Tales for worldwide service.
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.
Game submissions are now open for developers and publishers
TOKYO — Sept. 2, 2025 — INDIE Live Expo, the live digital showcase connecting indie game fans all over the world with more than 100 million total views since its 2020 debut, returns for its annual winter edition and awards show on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Tune into the extravaganza on YouTube Live, X Live, Twitch, Niconico, Billibilli, and Steam.
This Thanksgiving weekend, gaming fans around the globe can look forward to a feast of world premieres of unrevealed titles alongside the latest information for highly anticipated games. Indie developers and publishers can submit their games for consideration in the showcase here. The entry period lasts until Monday, September 29, at 7:59 PM PDT.
Japan’s largest indie showcase continues to reach new milestones. In addition to the 100+ games the upcoming showcase will spotlight, the most recent April 2025 showcase celebrated INDIE Live Expo, eclipsing 3,000 titles showcased on its digital stage since inception.
This year’s segments include the return of INDIE Waves’ rapid-fire 15-second updates, INDIE Spotlight’s deep dives into hand-selected titles, and the annual INDIE Live Expo Award Show, bestowing honors onto prestigious titles released this year.
“The most exciting time of the year for us is when we open up game submissions. There is so much creativity within the indie space,” said Ryuta Konuma, INDIE Live Expo Board (Founder & CEO, Ryu’s Office). “We’re immensely grateful for all of the developers, publishers, and INDIE Live Expo fans around the world that continue to make this event possible.”
Ryu’s Office offers in-depth marketing solutions for smartphone, console, arcade, and PC games in Japan. They are particularly focused on the planning and production of numerous live broadcasts based out of Japan for the gaming industry. To learn more, visit the official Ryu’s Office website.
Publisher and developer GIANTS Software has released Free Content Update #3 for Farming Simulator 25, extending the game with a broad selection of machinery from renowned manufacturers. The machines are presented via a gameplay trailer. Launched alongside the content drop, Patch 1.11 delivers stability and quality enhancements.
List of New Equipment
Fliegl Vario Chassis V2
KRONE GX AgriLiner 520
LEMKEN Juwel 6 M V
STREUMASTER FW 212 TD PROFI
Berthoud Vantage 4300
HORSCH Avatar 12.25 SD
Schwarzmüller Timber Trailer
Lizard Shipping Container
AGI Batco BCX³ 1549 – MY2022
AGI Batco BCX³ 1549 – MY2022
AGI STORM FX Seed Treater
AGI Westfield MKX 13-94 – MY2022
AGI Westfield STX² 10-51
AGI Westfield UTX 44
AGI Flat Bottom Bin + NECO Dryer
AGI SENTINEL Garage
AGI Westeel Flat Bottom Bin
AGI Westeel Hopper Bin
AGI Westeel Smoothwall Bin
The lineup introduces versatile transport and logistics options, advanced seeding and tillage tools, professional spraying and spreading equipment, and an expanded AGI ecosystem for grain handling, treatment, and storage to broaden farm workflows of all scopes.
Patch: Improvements to Graphics & Performance
Patch 1.11, included in the content update, improves stability and performance across systems. Notably, PC farmers can now enable DLSS Frame Generation (RTX 40 Series) and Multi Frame Generation (RTX 50 Series) to increase their frame rates. Additionally, the update includes various visual adjustments, such as reduced artifacts due to screenspace reflections and improved visibility of swaths.
Farming Simulator 25 is available for PC, Mac, PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S. A Year 1 Season Pass is obtainable and includes the Highlands Fishing Expansion to be launched on November 4th and three other packs – fans save up to 25% compared to getting the content separately. GIANTS Software will also continue to release free content updates and user-generated content on the official ModHub. Visit the official FarmingSimulator website.
About GIANTS Software
GIANTS Software is an international game developer and publisher from Switzerland, established in 2004 and known worldwide for creating the popular Farming Simulator franchise. Self-sufficient with offices in Switzerland (Zurich), Germany (Erlangen), USA (Chicago) and the Czech Republic (Brno), the team is committed to position itself as a leading publisher in the simulation genre, with Project Motor Racing to be introduced to the racing scene soon. The company maintains a global network of partners and close ties with respective industries. Visit giants-software.com for more information.
About Farming Simulator
With more than 40 million copies of the main series sold worldwide since 2008, the Farming Simulator franchise is leading in its genre. Available on all major platforms, the games feature hundreds of authentic machines from renowned brands and offer compelling agricultural simulation with relaxing, family-friendly gameplay. It’s based on the powerful GIANTS Engine – built in-house to provide realistic physics, high-fidelity graphics, dynamic systems and extensive modding support. Visit farming-simulator.com for more information.
Partnership Combines Paramount’s Blockbuster Filmmaking Expertise with Global Phenomenon and Iconic Franchise, Promising an Epic Experience
LOS ANGELES, CA – September 2, 2025 – In a landmark collaboration, Paramount, a Skydance Corporation, a global leader in film production and distribution, has signed a film deal with Activision, the powerhouse behind the record-setting Call of Duty® series. This partnership aims to bring the iconic Call of Duty universe to life on the big screen, delivering an unforgettable cinematic event for fans worldwide. One of the most successful video game franchises of all-time, Call of Duty has been the #1 best-selling video game series in the U.S. for 16 consecutive years with over 500 million copies sold globally, reaching hundreds of millions of players worldwide, and driving pop culture conversations for over two decades.
Under this milestone partnership, Paramount will develop, produce, and distribute a live-action feature film based on Call of Duty, designed to thrill its massive global fan base by delivering on the hallmarks of what fans love about the iconic series, while boldly expanding the franchise to entirely new audiences. Both companies are committed to honoring the brand’s rich narrative and distinctive style, promising an authentic and exciting experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Said David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount, a Skydance Corporation: “As a lifelong fan of Call of Duty this is truly a dream come true. From the first Allied campaigns in the original Call of Duty, through Modern Warfare and Black Ops, I’ve spent countless hours playing this franchise that I absolutely love. Being entrusted by Activision and players worldwide to bring this extraordinary storytelling universe to the big screen is both an honor and a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. We’re approaching this film with the same disciplined, uncompromising commitment to excellence that guided our work on Top Gun: Maverick, ensuring it meets the exceptionally high standards this franchise and its fans deserve. I can promise that we are resolute in our mission to deliver a cinematic experience that honors the legacy of this one-in-a-million brand – thrilling longtime fans of Call of Duty while captivating a whole new generation.”
Said Rob Kostich, President of Activision: “Throughout its history, Call of Duty has captured our imagination with incredible action and intense stories that have brought millions of people together from around the world, and that focus on making incredible Call of Duty games remains unwavering. With Paramount, we have found a fantastic partner who we will work with to take that visceral, breathtaking action to the big screen in a defining cinematic moment. The film will honor and expand upon what has made this franchise great in the first place, and we cannot wait to get started. Our shared goal is quite simple — to create an unforgettable blockbuster movie experience that our community loves, and one that also excites and inspires new fans of the franchise.”
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About Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (Nasdaq: PSKY) is a leading, next-generation global media and entertainment company, comprised of three business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. The Company’s portfolio unites legendary brands, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, CBS – America’s most-watched broadcast network, CBS News, CBS Sports, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance’s Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Sports divisions. For more information, please visit www.paramount.com.
Build your stronghold, amass an army, and take Earth back from the AI overlords.
Columbus, Ohio, 2 September 2025 | Indie studio Software Verde is excited to announce the release date of Mordfield Command, a survival-driven 4X strategy game where humanity wages war against a ruthless controlling AI. Marking the studio’s first release, the debut title will arrive October 23, 2025. Alongside the announcement, a new trailer has been released, highlighting the high-stakes struggle for humanity’s survival against Algorithm Alpha, a ruthless AI bent on erasing its creators.
Take Back Your Home Through humanity’s endless pursuit of progress came artificial intelligence—our proudest achievement and a cornerstone of society. Now it has become our nightmare and the destroyer of our home. In Mordfield Command, step up as one of mankind’s last commanders and lead your forces in battle. Fight against an onslaught of relentless machines, push back their control one wave at a time, and reclaim what was once ours—Earth.
A Science Fiction 4X
Mordfield Command blends survival-driven 4X strategy with turn-based combat and wave-defense gameplay. Build fortified bases, carefully allocate scarce resources, and expand your reach through upgrades and satellite cities. Every turn demands adaptation as the enemy grows stronger, forcing you to shift tactics and launch decisive counterattacks.
Release Date & Demo Mordfield Command will launch on October 23, 2025 on Steam. Players can experience the challenge now in the free demo, available on Steam today.
Gameplay Highlights
Action Point Economy — Allocate action points wisely to maximize tactical options each turn. Every choice can make the difference between survival and annihilation.
Procedural Map Generation – Each playthrough unfolds on a unique battlefield. No two matches are alike, keeping strategies fresh and unpredictable.
Optional Timed Rounds – Every second counts. Enable 15- or 30-second turns to make critical decisions under pressure.
Custom Map Editor – Forge your own battlefields and missions. Share creations with the community and test strategies in PvP showdowns.
Evolving Terrain – Battlefields respond to combat. Damaged areas become harder to traverse, forcing you to adapt your strategy every turn.
PvP – Challenge your friend in a head-to-head battle, or survive co-op against Algorithm Alpha!
Note: The demo features a 75-round turn limit and is resource-limited. PvP, campaign mode, operations, and full tech resources will be available at release.
Download the Mordfield: Command demo now on Steam ahead of the launch and visit the official website to learn more.
About Software Verde
We are an independent studio of battle-tested software veterans from Columbus, Ohio. Transferring decades of experience from building complex business systems, we’ve stepped into game development to create challenging, unforgettable digital experiences.
Can you withstand the ever-present temptation of ultimate destruction?
STOCKHOLM – September 2, 2025 – Today, Paradox Interactive announced that Shadows of the Shroud, the new expansion for their hit grand sci-fi strategy game Stellaris, is coming to PC on September 22 for a suggested retail price of $19.99/£16.75/€19.99. Developed in collaboration with developer Abrakam, Shadows of the Shroud features a comprehensive remaster of the Psionic Ascension Path, a revamped End of Cycle, new Origins, Civics, Events, and more, delivering the ultimate expansion for players who seek to master the unknown behind the veil.
Players who own the Stellaris Season 09 Expansion Pass will receive immediate access to Shadows of the Shroud as part of their purchase at no extra cost when the expansion launches.
Features of Shadows of the Shroud include:
Carve your path into the Shroud: Breaching the Shroud unfolds as a three-stage situation, where your decisions will determine your empire’s spiritual destiny and determine your attunement to specific Patrons in the Shroud. After you breach into the Shroud, you will have access to a new Shroud Panel, where you can visually analyze your attunement to the Shroud. The more you attune to specific Patrons, the more benefits and bonuses you will unlock.
End of the Cycle Revamped: Powers, knowledge, and wealth beyond measure are yours for the taking – and you already know the cost. However, you can delay the inevitable and acquire even more benefits from this unfathomable pact.*
Psionic Auras: Your Empire’s Shroud Attunement will manifest across space, influencing your systems. And your friends. And your enemies. Unless the Mindwarden Enclave will curtail your power.
And More: Shadows of the Shroud will also feature New Origins, Civics, Government types, events, portraits, ships… and more!
*The End of the Cycle will remain available to players who own Utopia. Shadows of the Shroud will also grant access to this feature (in case you do not own Utopia) and exclusive new content that expands it.
For more information about Stellaris and Shadows of the Shroud, visit the official website.
About Paradox Interactive
Paradox Interactive is one of the premier developers and publishers of strategy and management games for PC and consoles. The players are located all over the world but some of the biggest markets are North America, Western Europe and Asia.
The game portfolio consists of popular franchises such as Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, Cities: Skylines, Prison Architect, the Surviving games, Age of Wonders and Victoria. Paradox Interactive also owns the World of Darkness brand catalog.
Independent expert in strategy games, card games, and IP creation, Abrakam is known for titles like Faeria and Roguebook (PC/consoles). Based in Belgium, the studio boasts a team of 30 talented professionals enjoying the development of proprietary games as well as top-tier content for like-minded companies who share the studio’s values.
