007 First Light’s free Extended Operations DLC is available now, bringing New Game+, a new 00 difficulty mode, refined weapon handling animation, a full Photo Mode, new TacSim content featuring the Aston Martin Valhalla
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – October 1st, 2026 – IO Interactive, the independent video game developer and publisher behind the HITMAN franchise, and Amazon MGM Studios announced today that 007 First Light will be receiving a brand new DLC, Extended Operations, available today. This content-packed free DLC delivers on some of the most requested additions from the 007 First Light community since launch, introducing New Game+, a new 00 difficulty mode, improved weapon handling animation fidelity, a Photo Mode, new TacSim content with the Valhalla Protocol missions featuring the Aston Martin Valhalla, and new Tacsim missions set in the Vietnam location.
New Game+
Extended Operations introduces New Game+ to 007 First Light, unlocked upon completing the campaign on any difficulty. Once unlocked, players can replay the campaign, from the beginning or from any completed checkpoint, with full access to their unlocked outfits and gadgets, letting agents experience Bond’s story all over again, sporting the attire that best fits their taste.
New Game+ also unlocks 00 difficulty mode, a new and considerably harder difficulty setting built for players who want a true test of their tradecraft. The 00 difficulty mode sharpens combat, stealth, and social encounters alike: enemies react faster to bodies and disturbances, certain guard archetypes are swapped for tougher variants, gadget use is restricted within a guard’s line of sight, and combat itself becomes far less forgiving, with two-hit kills, tighter parry and side-step timing, and reduced agency gained in a fight. Players who want the challenge without the customization, or the customization without the challenge, remain free to mix and match: once unlocked, custom outfits and gadgets can be carried into a New Game+ replay on Easy, Normal, or Hard, just as easily as on 00 difficulty.
New TacSim content
Teased in the game at launch, the Valhalla Protocol content is now playable, bringing the state-of-the-art Aston Martin Valhalla to the beautiful Slovakian Mountains. The Valhalla Protocol content takes the form of four different missions, allowing players to drive the Valhalla by day and by night, with different sets of challenges. Of course, the Valhalla is fully kitted out with the weaponry that James Bond uses during the main campaign, which players will need to use to take down targets, earn time bonuses, and post the best result possible.
James Bond will also be returning to The Pearl, Vietnam’s luxury resort, in a new TacSim mission that sends him deep into a guarded villa to retrieve classified documents. The entire property is now in play, every area, including the rooftop, is part of the active gameplay space, and the villa’s interior has been redesigned to offer richer opportunities for stealth.
Last but not least, TacSim missions now welcome additional weapons, with the full arsenal of the main campaign now in players’ hands when they take on the various missions.
Photo Mode
Answering one of the most requested features since launch, Extended Operations adds a full Photo Mode to 007 First Light. Players can now freeze the action at any moment with a single button press and take full creative control of the shot, with a focused set of tools built to let players capture the world of 007 First Light. Photo Mode includes basic game controls (UI visibility, character posing), camera controls (transform and lens adjustments), image controls (brightness and post-processing filters), and frame controls (background and logo options), giving players everything they need to compose their perfect shot of Bond’s reimagined story, from the Grand Carpathian’s chess tables to the neon-lit streets of Aleph.
Gameplay Additions
Finally, the DLC sees two main gameplay additions:
Improved weapon handling animation fidelity, giving even more precision to Bond’s movement and weapon behaviour when being handled
A fan-favourite method to dispatch enemies in the game, being thrown off a ledge, is no longer exclusive to Bond’s opponents, with the spy now also subject to the move, so players will need to stay on their guard.
007 First Light is available now, on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, on Amazon.com, as well as for PC on Steam and Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch 2 version will follow in March 2027. 007 First Light is available in Standard, Deluxe, Collector’s, and Legacy Editions. More details can be found at https://ioi.dk/007firstlightgame.
ABOUT IO Interactive
IO Interactive is an independent video game developer and publisher with studios in Copenhagen, Malmö, Barcelona, Istanbul, and Brighton. As the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform video games in the last two decades, IOI is dedicated to creating unforgettable characters and experiences using their award-winning proprietary Glacier technology.
IO Interactive developed and published a reimagined James Bond origin story with 007 First Light, available now,and is currently developing a new IP under the codename Project Fantasy. For more information, visit: https://ioi.dk.
ABOUT Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and global distribution of film and television content. Original series premiere on Prime Video, which is available to watch on hundreds of compatible devices in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Original films are produced and acquired by the studio for theatrical release and exclusively for Prime Video. Amazon MGM Studios also produces content for MGM+, the premium pay television network.
The highly anticipated game from Jonathan Blow (Braid, The Witness) features a stellar voice cast, including Emily O’Brien (Death Stranding), Liam O’Brien (Critical Role), Darin De Paul (Marvel’s Spider-Man), Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch), Erica Luttrell (Steven Universe) and more
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Oct. 1, 2026 –A cast of unlikely heroes are among us. Arc Games, a leading publisher of AA and indie titles, and Thekla, Inc. are excited to reveal the star-studded cast for the highly anticipated puzzle adventure Order of the Sinking Star ahead of its launch on October 8. The latest trailer showcases the game’s core heroes, voiced by an all-star cast from across film, TV, and gaming. Get ready to go on an incredible adventure with this cast of characters when Order of the Sinking Star releases on PC via Steam and Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5 on October 8!
Wishlist Order of the Sinking Star Today on Steam, Switch 2 & PS5!
Order of the Sinking Star features an incredible lineup of talent, including Emily O’Brien (Death Stranding, Starfield) as The Queen, Liam O’Brien (Critical Role, The Legend of Vox Machina) as The Warrior, Darin De Paul (Overwatch, Marvel’s Spider-Man) as The Wizard, Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Ms. Marvel) as The Bard, Erica Luttrell (Apex Legends, Steven Universe) as the Sailor, Matthew Waterson (X-Men ’97, Hades II) as The Druid, and a special appearance by award-winning game designer Jonathan Blow.
Additional voice cast includes Erik Braa (League of Legends, Marvel Rivals), Andrew Kishino (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Marvel Rivals), Jamieson K. Price (Persona 5, Bleach), Sabrina Fest (Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game), and more.
AboutOrder of the Sinking Star
From legendary director Jonathan Blow (Braid, The Witness) comes Order of the Sinking Star, a massive puzzle adventure featuring more than one thousand handcrafted puzzles designed to put your intellect to the test. You are transported to a realm of curious magic, dangerous contraptions, and vicious monsters. You’ll explore four distinct worlds, each with its own mechanics, characters, and stories, and then watch as they all collide. As the worlds merge and characters meet one another, puzzle systems intertwine, creating surprising new possibilities. Explore at your own pace, revisit worlds and return to challenges as you see fit. Discover unique playable characters, master evolving gameplay mechanics, and decipher the deep mysteries of a sprawling, interconnected game world. Blending exploration, storytelling, and ever-progressing mechanics, Order of the Sinking Star invites you into a mysterious, living puzzle unlike anything you’ve played.
Game Features
Master a Thousand Interwoven Challenges – Embark on an innovative puzzle adventure with dozens of game mechanics and hundreds of hours of unique gameplay. Each puzzle builds on the last, introducing new game mechanics that reward curiosity and persistence.
Choose Your Path, Roam at Your Pace – Explore four expansive, mysterious game worlds, each with its own characters, rules, dangers, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Come and go as you like; you are free to take on the puzzles you discover at your own pace.
Take the Helm of Some Unlikely Heroes – A queen, a thief, a warrior, a wizard, and a talking boat are just some of the heroes of this tale. Each character wields complimentary abilities and has captivating stories to tell.
Decipher an Epic Tale – As playable characters begin to meet and worlds collide, the mystery untangles. Through gameplay and notes you collect, you’ll learn more about this enigmatic realm. Piece by piece and clue by clue, you’ll uncover the secrets of the Order of the Sinking Star.
Arc Games is a leading independent publisher of AA and indie video games — including premium and live-service titles — across North America, Europe, and Asia. Originally founded in 2008 as Perfect World Entertainment, the company later rebranded as Arc Games and continues to expand its presence as a global publisher. Known for bringing beloved titles such as Neverwinter and Star Trek Online to players around the world, Arc Games has also delivered a strong portfolio of original releases, including REMNANT II, Remnant: From the Ashes, the Torchlight series, and Fellowship, as well as distinctive indie experiences like Frosthaven and Have a Nice Death. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with offices in Amsterdam and Shanghai, Arc Games is dedicated to supporting talented game creators and delivering high-quality, memorable gaming experiences. For more information, please visit www.arcgames.com.
ABOUT THEKLA, INC.
Thekla, Inc. is an independent video game studio led by Jonathan Blow, known for creating critically acclaimed titles like The Witness and Braid. Originally established in 2009, the studio is based in Denver, Colo., and focuses on making games with high artistic and technical quality. The studio is currently working on Order of the Sinking Star, the studio’s most ambitious and massive puzzle adventure yet, releasing October 8.
Join the team at Jagex along with your favourite JMods to see what’s coming to RuneScape, Old School RuneScape and RuneScape: Dragonwilds
Thursday, 1 October, 2026, Cambridge, UK – The countdown to RuneFest 2026 is on! From October 3rd through 4th, Jagex: The RuneScape company’s fully sold-out annual celebration will bring over 6,000 ‘Scapers from all walks of life together for an exciting weekend, packed with news, reveals, meet their favorite JMods and creators, exclusive merch, and more.
While tickets to the event at the NEC in Birmingham, UK are officially sold out, fans can still tune in on Twitch and YouTube to watch all the official RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and RuneScape: Dragonwilds talks, updates, and announcements they won’t want to miss.
RuneFest festivities start on October 3rd at 2 PM BST / 1 PM UTC / 9 AM EDT / 6 PM PDT.
There’s plenty to look forward to, during RuneFest 2026 this year, with highlights including:
Dragonwilds Summit – Saturday, October 3rd at 4:00 PM BST
Join Mod North as he kicks off this year’s summits before welcoming in the very first RuneScape: Dragonwilds Summit at RuneFest, and get a look at the first roadmap, next updates, and what lies ahead for Ashenfall beyond the 1.0 release.
Golden Gnome Awards – Saturday, October 3rd at 5:00 PM BST
Celebrate the wonderful community of players and creators across RuneScape, Old School RuneScape, and RuneScape: Dragonwilds and find out who will take home a Golden Gnome!
RuneScape Summit – Saturday, October 3rd at 7:00 PM BST
Join the RuneScape team to get a look at what’s in store for 2027, incredible reveals and surprises coming to Gielinor.
OSRS Summit – Saturday, October 3rd at 8:00 PM BST
With exciting things to come, join the team to get a look ahead in Old School RuneScape.
RuneScape and Old School RuneScape are available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile. RuneScape: Dragonwilds is available now for PC on Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Jagex Launcher, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
About Jagex
Headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, Jagex: The RuneScape Company, is a leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower communities across PC and mobile. Our MMORPG franchise, RuneScape, is played around the world and has welcomed over 300 million player accounts.
As RuneScape enters its 25th year in 2026, we are accelerating our strategy to expand RuneScape into a broader ecosystem of forever games and connected experiences, grounded in a renewed commitment to integrity and fair play. This includes the reduction of monetisation mechanics, as well as the launch of RuneScape: Dragonwilds in 2026, representing a major step in building a multi-genre future for the RuneScape universe. Jagex: The RuneScape Company remains focused on building enduring worlds, empowering player-led innovation, and laying the foundations for the boldest era in RuneScape’s history.For more information, visit www.jagex.com
Discover the battlefield in a brand-new launch trailer.
Hertfordshire, 1stOctober 2026 – Today, KOEI TECMO Europe and developer Omega Force invite fans to relive the intense 1 vs 1,000 action of one of the DYNASTY WARRIORS series’ most beloved titles with the release of DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered, now available on PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™ 2, XBOX Series X|S, and PC Windows via Steam®. In celebration of the launch, a brand-new trailer displaying the fierce, enhanced battles has been unveiled.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered allows fans to return to the battlefield to re-experience this series-defining title, which includes all content from the original DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 game and its expansion DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Xtreme Legends. These titles are recreated in the Remastered edition with refined graphics and controls, as well as new features and scenarios. Additionally, over 40 officers from the original roster make their return alongside DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS protagonist Ziluan.
Fans will recognise key features of the original game such as True Musou Attacks and two-player co-op, which make a return in DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered. However, fans can also enjoy new features, such as “Evasion”, which allows players to dodge enemy attacks or temporarily withdraw from the battlefield; furthermore, evading an attack with perfect timing will trigger a “Just Evasion”, a powerful counterattack. Players will also be able to employ the “Perfect Power Guard” feature, deflecting enemy attacks in order to open a window to launch a counterattack that will stun opponents if the classic “Power Guard” is timed correctly. By using both returning and new features, fans can experience the evolution of this iconic title and dominate the battlefield with powerful, tactical elements.
Additionally, new scenarios featuring numerous officers that can be obtained by meeting specific conditions have also been added, allowing fans to explore the story of the original title alongside encounters exclusive to this Remastered edition. The “Weapon Fusion” feature is also newly introduced in DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered, which enables players to forge ultimate weapons by consuming unwanted weapons and transferring their elemental attributes and skills to other weapons.
All newly added features can be individually toggled on and off, giving fans full control over their DYNASTY WARRIORS experience. For convenience, these features can also be toggled in bulk with the “Classic Settings” option, offering an experience similar to the original titles, whereas the “Normal Settings” option will apply the recommended settings for the remastered version. Fans can also enjoy the return of the acclaimed offline 2-player mode from the original title, giving players the ability to team-up or go head-to-head with split-screen gameplay, undertaking challenging battles in “Musou Mode”, “Free Mode”, and “VS Mode”. Moreover, fans can look forward to a post-launch update including a highly anticipated online two player co-op mode, which was announced during DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered’s Tokyo Game Show 2026 special stage. Further information regarding this update, including full details and timing, will be revealed in due course.
Before setting out onto the battlefield, players can put their mettle to the test in DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered’s free demo, which allows fans to try the revived version of the special scenario ‘Battle of Hulao Gate (Allied Forces)’. Players can engage in this conflict with six playable officers (Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Xiahou Dun, Zhenji, Zhou Yu, and Sun Shangxiang) and may also have the chance to face down an iconic formidable opponent at the end of the stage if particular conditions are met during the battle. In addition, it is possible to adjust settings, such as the difficulty or language.
DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered is now available on PlayStation®5, Nintendo Switch™ 2, XBOX Series X|S, and PC Windows via Steam®.
ABOUT DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 AND DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 Xtreme Legends DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Complete Edition Remastered is a remaster of one of the most beloved title in the DYNASTY WARRIORS series. The title will include all content from the original DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 game as well as the DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Xtreme Legends expansion in a striking modern revival, allowing fans to relive the intense action of the titles that laid the foundation for the entire series. Featuring 1 vs. 1,000 combat on vast battlefields, DYNASTY WARRIORS 3 was the first game in the franchise to incorporate mechanics that would become an integral part of the series such as True Musou Attacks, two-player simultaneous play, and the officer development system. The DYNASTY WARRIORS 3: Xtreme Legends expansion allowed players to experience new scenarios for a selection of officers including Lu Bu, Meng Huo and Yuan Shao. The game also included bodyguard customisation, new weapons, and four new challenge modes to enhance player experience.
ABOUT KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of KOEI TECMO HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. KOEI TECMO is best known for their signature ‘one versus thousands’ WARRIORS series, the fan-favourite NINJA GAIDEN and fighting entertainment series DEAD OR ALIVE. Through collaboration with strong existing franchises, such as A.O.T. Wings of Freedom (Attack on Titan), KOEI TECMO has brought fan-favourite shows to life in video game form. The company’s desire for innovation and diversity has seen the creation of the critically acclaimed dark samurai action title Nioh, which takes on new and unique gameplay styles. The company’s acquisition of Gust, developer of a variety of heart-warming titles, has seen their flagship Atelier series span generations of consoles and fans alike. More information about KOEI TECMO EUROPE LTD. and its products can be found at www.koeitecmoeurope.com
Microsoft, the XBOX Sphere mark, the Series X logo, Series S logo, Series X|S logo, XBOX One, XBOX Series X, XBOX Series S, and XBOX Series X|S are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
New Medieval Houses DLC arrives on PC, PlayStation and Xbox today, while the previously released Verne Bannerless DLC makes its console debut alongside major update
Watford, UK – 1 October 2026 – Two and a half years after Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles first invited players into the Great Ursee, solo developer Tomas Sala is still finding new things to build there. Today, Wired Productions launches Medieval Houses, a new DLC for PC, PlayStation and Xbox, alongside the console debut of Verne Bannerless and a major free update for console players.
Watch the new trailer:
Medieval Houses brings a touch of high fantasy to the Ursee, introducing six distinctive timber-framed houses to settlements! A new square tower cap gives towers connected to a fortress a more imposing look. It is a chance to build somewhere that feels a little more like a medieval stronghold, albeit one perched above an endless sea… and for players whose first thought on seeing that stronghold is “How do I attack it?”, Verne Bannerless arrives on consoles for the first time. Previously released on PC, the DLC adds the Bannerless Corsair warbird, Verne Missile ship and Piranha Fast airship to the skies of the Ursee.
Alongside the DLC releases, a major free console update gives every player more to explore. Upgradable surveyors include the enormous, heavily armed Behemoth. More flexible curved walls offer new possibilities for settlements, while ships on owned trade routes can now be selected and sailed. Changes to wars, enemy behaviour and fleet formations make conflicts more dynamic, and Arbology towers allow trees to take root across the Ursee once again.
“Bulwark has always been a game I wanted to keep building with its players,” said Tomas Sala, solo developer of Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. “Some want to make a beautiful little haven on a rock in the middle of the sea. Others immediately ask how many cannons they can put on it. I think there should be room for both.”
Today’s launch follows the September Early Access release of ShipShaper, Tomas’s third game with Wired Productions after The Falconeer and Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. Wired and Tomas have also signed a new seven-year publishing agreement, giving them plenty more time to explore the Ursee and whatever else Tomas dreams up next.
Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles blends relaxed, creative building with exploration and strategy. Players can shape a peaceful settlement, raise fortresses and command fleets, or simply follow their curiosity across the Great Ursee.
Medieval Houses is available today for $2.99 / €2.99 / £2.49. Verne Bannerless is available now on PlayStation and Xbox for $1.99 /€1.99 / £1.49. The base game is also 50% off on Steam for a limited time.
About Wired Productions
Wired Productions is an independent video game publisher driven by creativity, integrity and hard work. For 18 years, Wired has partnered with passionate storytellers to bring distinctive games to players around the world, including recent releases ShipShaper, BrokenLore: DON’T LIE and Hotel Architect, alongside upcoming titles Kumarn: The Wandering Spirit, MR. RECORDS, AGNI: Village of Calamity and When Sirens Fall Silent.
About Tomas Sala BAFTA-nominated Tomas Sala is an independent game artist, designer and solo developer, as well as the co-founder of Little Chicken Game Company. He is the creator of the critically acclaimed The Falconeer and Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles. Beginning his journey in games through modding, including the acclaimed Skyrim mod Moonpath to Elsweyr, Tomas developed his distinctive visual and creative style through projects including Rekt!, SXPD and TrackLab.
The “Off-road Patrol” update introduces new type of military vehicles, enhanced combat effects and advanced ray tracing features
Darkflow Software and Gaijin Entertainment announce that “Off-road Patrol,” the latest major content update for the online military shooter Enlisted, is available now. The update introduces a new type of combat vehicle to the game: fast off-road vehicles armed with machine guns and capable of carrying soldiers and extra grenade supplies directly into battle. It also adds new weapons and aircraft, significantly improves combat effects and melee animations, and brings major graphical upgrades including new ray tracing features.
Each of Enlisted’s armies receives a new researchable off-road squad: the Soviet GAZ-64 DS-39, German Kübelwagen 82, Japanese Type 95 Kurogane and American Willys M1919A4. These lightweight vehicles combine speed with mounted machine-gun firepower and can capture control points without their crews having to dismount. They also carry boxes with additional grenades, allowing their squads to quickly reinforce infantry fighting around an objective
The update expands the arsenals of the participating nations as well. Japan receives the *G4M1, the country’s most widely produced bomber of World War II, armed with four 250 kg bombs and an array of defensive machine guns and a 20 mm cannon. The United States gets the Lewis Gun Home Guard, an unusual version of the famous machine gun equipped with a 97-round magazine and anti-aircraft sight. New premium squads include a Soviet P-39Q-15 Airacobra supplied under the Lend-Lease program, Japanese soldiers armed with the exotic IJN 80 mm anti-tank launcher, as well as special combat variants of the Willys and Kübelwagen for USA and Germany respectively.
“Off-road Patrol” also brings a major graphics technology upgrade. Path Traced Global Illumination is now available on PC for compatible systems, providing more physically accurate indirect lighting. New ray tracing quality presets have been introduced on PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X.
Battles are also becoming more spectacular and physically convincing. Hits from large-caliber weapons have received new visual effects, powerful explosions can throw nearby soldiers through the air, and spent shell casings can now realistically bounce off surrounding surfaces. Vehicle destruction effects have been reworked, while melee combat features improved bayonet charges, knife attacks, rifle-butt strikes and punches, including new animations designed specifically for attacks from a prone position.
More information about the update is available at the official Enlisted website.
About Gaijin Entertainment Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/
About Darkflow Software Darkflow Software is a game studio founded in 2016 by video game industry veterans and is located in Riga, Latvia. Currently, the company is working on the squad based multiplayer WW2 shooter Enlisted and online shooter CRSED: F.O.A.D
About Enlisted Enlisted is a squad-based first person MMO shooter covering key battles from World War II. The game carefully recreates weapons, military vehicles and the atmosphere of that era, while demonstrating really massive clashes of numerous soldiers, tanks and aircraft with artillery and naval support. Enlisted is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Official website: https://enlisted.net
Dragontopia Expands With ‘Gargantar’, Fantastic Tames Season 1 Adds ‘Cerberax’, and the Community-Voted Therizinosaurus TLC Arrives Free for All Survivors
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 1, 2026 – Get your taming gear ready! Studio Wildcard today unleashed a massive triple-threat creature drop for ARK: Survival Ascended, bringing the enormous Gargantar Dragon to ARK: Dragontopia, the three-headed Cerberax to Fantastic Tames Season 1, and a community-voted Therizinosaurus TLC free update featuring new animations, combat, harvesting abilities and more.
For ARK: Dragontopia expansion owners, the skies just got considerably heavier with the arrival of Gargantar, a massive dragon whose appetite directly fuels its strength. The more Gargantar packs away down its gullet, the tougher it becomes to bring down, transforming a well-fed dragon into a formidable battlefield presence. And what goes down can come back up: Gargantar can vomit and spit acidic goo at enemies, turning the contents of his enormous belly into an offensive weapon. That enormous belly has other uses too: trusted allies can tuck themselves safely away from danger, while unfortunate enemies swallowed whole will find the accommodations considerably less comfortable. Gargantar joins the Dragontopia adventure ahead of December’s launch of a boundless, map-wide skyworld.
The Cerberax joins the Burrowbuck as the latest creature addition for the ARK: Fantastic Tames Season 1. Taming this hulking three-headed hound means winning over the heads separately, each with very different approaches: one wants to wrestle, another can be won over with food, and the third would rather join you on the hunt. Once tamed any one survivor can jump on for a ride, although Cerberax is best handled by three Survivors, each managing a head, with the right head breathing fire, the left spitting venom, and the center head acting as a lightning catalyst that amplifies the other two for devastating combo attacks. The three heads of Cerberax all use separate tactics, but their real strength is working together for maximum potential!
Rounding out today’s creature drop is the iconic Therizinosaurus, selected by the ARK community for a TLC glow up. The infamous long-clawed creature returns with a more expressive presence in the wild and a new bounding hop for tackling difficult terrain. A quick look at each Therizino now reveals its harvesting specialization, shown through dynamic claws that evolve based upon what type of resource it gathers. From a safe distance you’ll notice a Therizino adapted to delicate foraging will flash longer, sharper claws, while the rippers of a power-harvester get worn and chipped. Get too close, and whichever style of claws it has will tear into you with the same vicious double-swipe attack. No two hardworking Therizinos look quite the same, with seasoned harvesters proudly wearing the marks of their trade, with claws and posture reflecting the work it does best.
About ARK: Dragontopia Available now, Dragontopia ($29.99) is an all-new premium expansion pass introducing Survivors to a vast aerial ecosystem where dragons rule the skies. To survive this new high-altitude frontier, you’ll need to grow through the Dragon Skill Trees, a new progression system built around strengthening your bond with these mythical beasts. Craft highly specialized gear and wield potent tools, and expand your base with a draconic tileset, incubator backpacks, and mysterious potion stations.
About ARK Fantastic Tames Season 1 Expand your exotic menagerie with Fantastic Tames! These extraordinary oddities are forged from the ARK’s most mystical anomalies in defiance of nature. Each Fantastic Tame brings its own wondrous array of abilities to a tribe, with Season 1 granting access to three new additions: the Burrowbuck (available now), Cerberax (available now), and Enigmasaur (Q4 2026).
Create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs in the definitive survival experience ARK: Survival Ascended! ASA is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic Games Store and Steam.
For the latest updates, join the ARK Survivor’s conversation on Discord, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, visit our website at playark.com and watch us tame ‘n train leviathan dinosaurs on Twitch.TV.
ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as a new epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com
When it comes to the “cozy farming” genre it starts to feel like nearly everything has been done in some way or another. Then someone comes up with a new dynamic twist to try and put a unique element into their game, be it transforming into a yokai and dating yokai or simply expanding on the classic formula with a whole “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. Then there are developers that look at the genre and decide to throw the whole thing on its head by making a farming game that may have some cozy elements to it but is also a horror game through and through. That is how we end up with a game like Chris Cote’s Welcome to Elderfield, a game looking to take the standard simple farming lifestyle and throw in a bunch of horrors and old gods to spice things up. The question is, is Welcome to Elderfield worth the visit now that it’s filled with spooky mysteries and horrific monsters?
Story
Players take on the role of an unnamed protagonist who, one night, finds themselves in the woods during a rainstorm for unknown reasons. In a desperate attempt to get home, they stumble across a strange ritual happening in the forest where tentacle face cultists welcome them and then sic a twisted creature upon them, seemingly as a test. Once the player beats the monster, the cultists vanish after saying that the player is the perfect subject going forward, only for them to wake up in bed as if the night before had never happened, even if the town of Elderfield is far from the norm. It isn’t until the player learns that the nearby farm, run by a man named Hans, has fallen into disrepair and could use some help, that they begin to learn just how over their heads they’ve gotten themselves into.
Not only is Elderfield a hot-spot for seemingly everything supernatural, but the tentacle-faced cultists were real and seem to be monitoring a strange stone pillar on the farm. From then on players meet with the farm owner, a gigantic skeleton named Hans who “shed his skin” and kept growing until he couldn’t leave the home and now is leaving it up to the player to fix things up, including clearing the growing fields of “ghost tentacles” to allow them to properly plant and grow all manner of crops as well as clear out weeds, rocks, and branches to try and make space. Though that is only the tip of the iceberg as players soon find out that not only is the giant skeleton a fairly common sight, so common that one of the romance options is a female skeleton that loves flowers, but also a ghost librarian, blob of slime, and then a variety of other human options with their own quirks. Of course, that doesn’t even touch upon the numerous other strange haunts, mysteries, daily threats, ever-watching old gods that expect to be worshipped in some manner, and of course… the Tax Man.
Welcome to Elderfield’s overarching storyline does exist but it takes more of a backseat to the every day occurrences that happen to the player throughout their time with the game. Every day a new “mystery” appears on the television and it can be anything from fish-like people appearing near the lake front, childish rumors that if you chant for a dog to come out to play three times at night it’ll appear thirsting for blood, or that a gigantic egg has randomly appeared in the local apartment complex even though no one’s seen any bird that could lay it. These types of random daily events give players extra encouragement to explore places they may have been before, or never seen until now, since these can create entirely new events or play out differently depending on how well the player handles the situation in combat or their luck with the “d6 rolls.”
Outside of the day to day mysteries and haunts players will also come across numerous other oddities that beg to be investigated, be it a haunted looking ATM, messing with an odd looking fish sticking out of the water, or whispering a prayer in a sewer shrine, all of which have their own little roll events that can benefit or punish the player as a result. The various quests players receive from the residents of Elderfield are something of a hit and miss variety, mostly because of how mundane they are often treated afterwards. One of the earliest quests involves helping a lonely old man turn a pile of gathered debris and give it life and the only result is both of them saying how much they love each other and that’s it. While eerie, that’s not much narrative payoff.
This happens to be the case with a wide variety of missions, be it having to free someone trapped within their apartment for weeks by an unknown force and them shrugging it off, fishing up some mutated octopus to summon a gigantic boss that doesn’t phase the employees by any means, the way it is treated entirely mundane by the occupants of the town gives the feeling that it lacks actual gravitas and threat. Since, if no one else is afraid, why should the player be? It also doesn’t help that the romance options in the game, while fun, are so varied in the way that a few of them are straight up monsters or eerie in their own rights, and have no real developing personality as players grow closer to them. There are some events that rely on players growing closer to characters, and it is good to do so anyways, but for the most part there is almost no change in their dialogue or personality outside of this. Even marriage seems to be treated as an afterthought.
This leads to Welcome to Elderfield often feeling like its treading water. Players manage their farm while slowly finding new bits and pieces of storyline to unfold for them, either through a new piece of mail to arrive or completing a previous questline to see what new horrors await them. That isn’t to say that the story isn’t good, as the general narrative is pretty solid and there are as many quirky fun moments from interacting with random NPCs and inspecting parts of the town as there are spooky ones, especially factoring in the way the game’s unique old gods play a role and how twisted some of the depths of the town end up being, though we won’t detail them here, but it does meander around and lose its own pacing far too easily.
Gameplay
Welcome to Elderfield is a bit of a strange title as its blend of cozy, horror, farming, and RPG combat make it a mixing pot that gives players plenty to do while also giving some elements not quite enough love as they probably deserve. As per usual, the title features four seasons that boil down to creepy named versions for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, and what crops grow, certain events happen, and other things such as the very limited holidays, only take place at certain times. There are a few key differences though compared to the usual farming game as the title does not have a stamina meter of any kind, meaning farming and gathering resources can be done as long as players want, though other threats can arrive as a result, nor are players required to actually go to sleep.
Instead, players will start to slowly suffer debuffs the longer they go without sleeping, with one day not doing anything, two days reducing how much XP they earn, and increasingly worse debuffs from then on. In fact, while players can save at any time simply by visiting their bed, or other beds in specific locations, the only way to fully restore health and MP, as well as cleanse all curses and blessings, is to take a shower. The problem is, showering also makes all enemies that were previously defeated respawn. This makes it so that while players can utilize food or gathered items to restore their health and MP, or even use magic to restore their health somewhat, they’ll eventually need to rest to cleanse themselves of debuffs if they find themselves suffering far too many, as they can stack up to 5 times, meaning if a particularly long or poor set of rolls can see the player’s attack or defense reduced all the way down by 50%. Though this can also see their blessing boosting their luck by 30% removed as well.
On the flip side, sleeping is also a risk as players will find themselves passing time easily but also needing to roll a d6 to make sure that nothing horrible happens to them throughout the night. This can be anything from a nightmare causing them to be inflicted with a curse, a deep rest blessed by one of the gods that comes with blessings, or even being attacked in the night by a creature depending on the roll. In fact, practically everything indirectly involved with the farming revolves around rolling a d6. Investigating a mystery or haunted object, slaying an enemy to loot the body, digging through trash, opening a pouch of gems, all of these rely on the roll of a die and the player’s luck, sometimes literally as it does appear a higher luck stat increases the chances of obtaining a higher roll.
For example, a 1 or 2 is considered unlucky, 3 and 4 are neutral, and 5 and 6 are lucky with different consequences depending on what they are tied to. Praying to a god’s altar and rolling a six can award a number of blessings while rolling a one at the same altar will inflict numerous curses instead. Similarly, looting an enemy corpse and rolling a one might give players just a piece of meat while six can result in not only receiving a slew of cooking/crafting ingredients but also food and equipment as well. This is one element that is a bit annoying and quick to notice throughout Welcome to Elderfield. Crafting weaponry or armor may seem like a good idea at the start, it quickly becomes obvious that players reserve any ore they receive from mining to upgrade their farming tools or crafting other items such as scarecrows, totems, or offerings to the gods for boons. This is because the gear obtained by taking risks with the game’s mysteries or defeating enemies is far superior to anything the player’s can forge on their own.
In fact, players are encouraged to select one of the old gods to pray to on Sunday and become a devotee, providing them access to limited crafting recipes unique to that god as well as certain locked doors that also provide unique items. One such door in my case happened to have an extremely powerful spear inside that not only boosted my character’s agility and other stats, but improved their attack and magical attack far more than my already advanced weapon dropped from the previous location’s boss.
Speaking of combat, it is worth noting that the game does seem to feature the farming element as more of a backdrop to exploring the world and fighting than anything else. Players will plant and water crops, drop whatever items they feel like into the processors that will take hours to complete, and then set out on an adventure to complete a task or gather items, usually fighting enemies along the way in turn-based combat. This turn-based fighting is rather solid and while players may only have one turn at the start of the game they’ll eventually unlock two turns in a row. Players can utilize standard attacks to deal damage to enemies, “rituals” that cost MP to cast spells, skills that also utilize MP, items, or flee and suffer some potentially harmful side effects later on as a result. It is interesting to note that even if players end up dying in combat, the game does not actually end with a game over. Instead they will be transported back to their home, thinking it was a nightmare, and losing a chunk of cash as a result, though this is also dependent on what difficulty players have chosen for themselves as there are worse penalties on harder difficulties.
Audio & Visuals
One aspect that Welcome to Elderfield does exceptionally well is provide a completely foreboding atmosphere almost everywhere the player travels. Even the fanciest homes in Elderfield still feel like they might have something wrong with them as a result, even if they don’t, but obviously these creepy elements are at their strongest when exploring haunted locations or dangerous areas, seeing ghost NPCs randomly spawn and despawn at a distance, navigating through a twisting forest filled with dried out remnants of shrines to the old gods, and of course the multitude of monsters filling the land, both friendly and hostile. Most of the friendly NPCs that players interact with will have a character portrait of some kind unless they are tied to one of the mysteries that players can encounter and their designs range from fairly straightforward to downright creepy, even when they are human and not a skeleton with a penchant for flowers.
Of course, this type of design philosophy really hits home when it comes to the monsters that players will need to face down. Everything from rats with multiple eyes to vacant eyed shoppers who will randomly transform into twisted eldritch looking beings in a shopping mall to horrific fish people, the random creatures haunting the forest, or even the monsters dwelling deep within the mines that are ready to strike should the players annoy them with their mining, all of them are grotesque looking in the most impressive manner. Heck, even some of the crops and plants that players grow on their farm are horrific and even need to be put down to be properly harvested. This is especially true for bosses and the occasional random encounter that often sees players needing to take on exceptionally challenging foes that are similarly some of the best designed in the game.
It is worth noting that while there is voice work in the game, it is only done through the Weather Channel radio station and it literally involves unlocking stories by talking to people around town and inside hidden locations to unlock these stories that can play in the background of the radio while inside the player’s home, offering creepy and eerie stories they can listen to while cooking or managing their inventory and storage box. Outside of that, the game features no other voice work for characters and while the soundtrack is decent for a horror game, we found it to be surprisingly lacking given the game’s design and most tracks missing that feeling of dread players should expect.
Overall
Welcome to Elderfield takes familiar elements of a cozy farming system and throws a dark twist on everything by throwing creepily drawn horror elements at players at every corner. Be it twisted plants that grow alongside wheat, monsters living alongside everyone else without a care in the world, or supernatural entities seeking to doom the town, players never quite know what they’ll get into on any given day. That being said, the farming grind does eventually start to settle in and become rather rote, especially late game, and while the setting is incredibly interesting and has some unique characters, the lack of reaction to the world and any variation in the relationship dialogue with the romanceable characters is disappointing.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
The wait is over – grab your lasagna and get ready to escape Monday for good in this 3D platforming adventure
Sydney, Australia, October 1, 2026 – Microids and OSome Studio are thrilled to announce that Garfield – Escape from Monday is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC. Get your lasagna ready (and hide the spinach), because Garfield’s unforgettable journey, as dynamic as it is delicious, is finally here for everyone to enjoy. Mondays will never be the same again.
More than just a colourful adventure, Garfield – Escape from Monday captures the spirit of one of the world’s most beloved entertainment franchises in an all-new interactive experience. Designed to delight longtime fans of Jim Davis’s signature “cattitude” and welcoming a new generation of players, Garfield – Escape from Monday breaks the mould.
Players will master the technicality of feline movements, harness special abilities tied to 3 exclusive costumes and face off with a variety of formidable bosses throughout their journey. With memorable characters, inventive challenges and a surreal story through the mind of Garfield, this story into the heart of the nightmare promises to be a thrilling ride for players worldwide.
Red Alert: A Nightmare in the Kitchen… and in His Sleep!
For Garfield, spending most of his time sleeping is part of the routine. But spiralling into a bizarre nightmare full of vegetables, sugar-free candies and other unimaginable horrors, even the world’s laziest cat knows something is wrong!
After Jon feeds him spinach lasagna inspired by Chef Monday’s recipe, Garfield falls into a deep sleep. For Garfield to wake up from the nightmare and reactivate his taste buds, he must embark on a deliciously chaotic adventure, where players will explore worlds packed with enemies, challenges and lasagna.
Thankfully, Garfield can rely on Jon and his friends Odie, Arlene and Pookie, as well as a collection of special costumes, including turkey, surfer and cowboy – each with its own unique skill – to overcome the dangers lurking within Garfield’s dreams.
In Garfield – Escape from Monday, players can:
Move Like a Cat: Jump, climb the walls, curl up into a ball… You will always land on your feet!
Embody Garfield in Every Form: Go airborne dressed as a turkey, slide on the water like a surfer and swing with your cowboy lasso!
All the Garfield Cast is Here: Jon will be here to help you in your quest, along with Odie and Pookie. But beware of Garfield’s archenemies, Nermal and Squeak!
Explore Lively Worlds: 3 worlds and over 40 levels filled with enemies to fight and lasagna to devour. The More You Eat, the More Rooms You Edit! Gather tons of delicious collectibles to keep your morale and help refurbish Jon’s house with all kinds of surprising items.
Garfield – Escape from Monday combines the franchise’s universal humour with OSome Studio’s expertise in action/platform games, offering a colourful adventure for players of all ages.
Garfield – Escape from Monday is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5and PC.
About Microids
Microids is a French video game publisher founded in 1985, which has established itself as a key international player in the industry. Its editorial strategy focuses on two main areas: adventure games and games designed for hardcore players. By collaborating with renowned studios and creators, Microids offers immersive experiences based on popular licenses, allowing players to experience brand-new adventures alongside iconic characters.
About Garfield
Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, Garfield is the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world. With his irresistible “cattitude”, Garfield is undeniably himself—selfish, sarcastic, lazy… yet surprisingly lovable. Since its creation in 1978, this iconic cat has spawned numerous movies, TV series, stage shows, and merchandise. It has also received four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program. Today, Garfield-related content is broadcast in 80 countries and has generated over $3 billion in retail sales to date. In 2019, Paramount Global acquired Paws, Inc., the company holding the rights to the Garfield franchise.
About Paramount Consumer Products
Paramount Consumer Products oversees all licensing and merchandising activities for Paramount (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by a diverse roster of iconic brands, Paramount Consumer Products’ portfolio is based on content from platforms including Paramount+, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Media Ventures), cable networks (including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Showtime), and Paramount Pictures. The division also includes Paramount Game Studios. Spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth, and adult properties, Paramount Consumer Products is committed to creating the highest quality products for some of the world’s most beloved franchises. To discover our range of Paramount-branded merchandise and apparel, visit ParamountShop.com.
Sydney, Australia, 1 October 2026: Deep Silver and KING Art Games have unveiled the complete CGI introduction to the Space Marines of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV. The Blood Ravens and Dark Angels finally stand together in the battle for Kronus. Get ready for the team-up of the millennium.
The Space Marines are the pre-eminent defenders of Humanity, boasting ancient power armour and the finest weapons the Imperium can provide. They face the hardest missions, battle the deadliest foes, and emerge victorious where lesser soldiers would be annihilated. But on Kronus, even the Adeptus Astartes can be brought to the brink.
The mysterious Blood Ravens have a long history with Kronus, a crucial recruitment world for their chapter. When the Great Rift tore the galaxy in half, Captain Cyrus, Jonah Orion and their forces found themselves on the wrong side, cut off from reinforcements. Suffering casualties, they return to Kronos in hopes of replenishing their ranks. Instead of relief, they crash against waves of xenos forces. Defeat is all but certain until the Dark Angels arrive to turn the tide…
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on December 3, 2026 (December 4 AEDT), with Commander Edition players deploying from November 30 (December 1 AEDT) through a 3-Day Early Unlock. Both editions are available to pre-order now with a 10% discount. The war will continue long after launch. Year One includes free updates featuring the return of Crusade Mode, new maps, modes, Commanders, and the Mission Editor, alongside two major story expansions that will deepen the conflict on Kronus and introduce a new playable faction to the battlefield.
About Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
Dawn of War IV delivers an unforgettable sci-fi RTS experience set within a faithful recreation of the beloved Warhammer 40,000 universe. Take charge of four factions in an epic story that spans multiple non-linear campaigns, clash with other players in tense multiplayer combat, and enjoy fan-favorite modes including Last Stand, Skirmish and more!
About KING Art Games
KING Art is an independent game developer, celebrating 25 years of experience in creating high-quality games for all major platforms. More than 100 employees across several teams are located at the offices in Bremen, Germany and work with about as many freelancers around the globe. Founded in 2000, KING Art has since released more than 50 titles in different genres, with a focus on narrative games, RPGs and strategy games. The company and its games have received multiple prestigious awards, including Best Strategy Game and Best Development Studio, multiple German “Games of the Year” and “Studio of the Year” awards. KING Art is a licensed developer for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo platforms and member of Verband der deutschen Games-Branche (GAME).
About PLAION
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
About Deep Silver
Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com
About Games Workshop®
Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy
miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer® Age of Sigmar® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniatures, novels and model kits through more than 570 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop® or Warhammer®), the www.games-workshop.com web store and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including our publishing division ‘Black Library’ and our special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.warhammer.com.
