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Go Barking Mad in New Demo for Dog-Themed Deckbuilder ‘World’s Goodest Pup’ 

Teach an old dog new (card) tricks 

Virginia, United States. (August 27, 2025) – Indie developer Pandamander Games is thrilled to announce that its dog-themed roguelike deckbuilder, World’s Goodest Pup, now has a playable demo on Steam. Offering cozy yet tactical gameplay, the demo is a treat-sized taste of the full game, set to release on PC in 2025.

Proving that you can teach an old dog new card tricks, World’s Goodest Pup aims to offer a tail-wagging twist on the deckbuilding genre. Go on a canine quest through the big city, competing in dog shows from the dog park to a huge stadium, using your deck full of collected dog tricks, smart strategy and charming puppy dog eyes to quite literally become the top dog.

You’ll begin by choosing your starting companion from a number of different breeds with unique traits and talents. The golden retriever is available in the demo with more breeds to come in the full game. From there, you’ll train your puppy in obedience, agility, and style, all in an effort to impress the judges in procedurally generated challenges and competitions.

World’s Goodest Pup features the best bits of owning a dog and each stage is an opportunity to bond and for your in-game pooch to become the player’s best friend. You can even create your “dog dynasty” by designing and decorating your dream pet resort, adding toys, treats, and more for your pack to enjoy.

Key Features of World’s Goodest Pup

  • Who’s a Good Boy?: Every dog is a good boy or girl, naturally, but each breed will offer different skills, just like in real-life, allowing you to tailor your strategy. You also have the ability to level up your dogs and unlock new tricks. 
  • Pampered Puppy: Grooming is a key element to gameplay as a clean pup with a fresh trim and a shiny coat after a nice, warm bubble bath is more likely to impress the judges. 
  • Friendly Competition: Cozy and wholesome, the dog shows you’ll take part in are designed to be laidback and joyful, even as you compete to be the top dog. 
  • Welcome to Pet Paradise: Customize your very own pet resort, decorating it with toys and enrichment, flora and fauna, and more to make it a welcoming place for puppies across the land!

World’s Goodest Pup will be released on PC via Steam later in 2025. 

About Pandamander Games

Founded in 2022, Pandamander is led by former EA (The Sims) and Warner Bros. game designer Brice Morrison. Designed to serve a passion for creative, indie experiences, Pandamander has released 13 games so far including a series of 12, free titles across a number of genres and the experimental Project Platformer

REEL IN THE FISH OF THE DAY AT ‘CALL OF ELYNDRA’ BOOTH DURING PAX WEST

Experience a slice of what ‘Call of Elyndra’ will have to offer at booth #632

DORADO, Puerto Rico  – August 26th, 2025 – Indie studio, Quorum Games is excited to share that Call of Elyndra will be showcased at PAX West 2025, this upcoming August 29th – September 1st, 2025. Visitors can try out one of the game’s upcoming gameplay mechanics and fish up some charming event swag!

Fish at PAX West!

Call of Elyndra’s fishing demo will be available to play in the Arch Building, Level 4, at Booth #632 during PAX West! Reel in the rotating ‘Fish of the Day’ to earn a digital key to the game when it releases. Visitors can also stop by for a sprout hairpin or complete tasks for their very own flock of miniature resin chickens!

CEO of Quorum Games, Zachary Groen, will be on-site Friday and Saturday to chat with guests.

Write Your Own Legacy

Call of Elyndra is a cozy RPG game that introduces players to Elyndra, a village threatened by an empire seeking to seize their land. The Elyndrans have entrusted you with a humble abode to call home. Now, you must earn their trust by helping the community in the village’s dire time of need.

Whether you are drawn to peaceful farming or action-packed combat, Call of Elyndra offers two distinct play styles for your liking. Manage your dream estate by planting crops, fishing, raising livestock, and selling goods at the town market to earn gold. Complete narrative-driven farming quests, and continue to share your contributions with the townspeople to increase your affinity points with each villager to unlock stat bonuses and uncover lore. 

Take on the world and increase your reputation by tackling brave and dangerous quests. Explore various dungeons that feature environmental puzzles, gradually making your way to the center, where boss battles await. This exploration not only offers valuable loot but also progresses the main questline narrative forward, uncovering the story behind the threats you face and the world around you.

Try out Call of Elyndra during PAX West at Booth #632. Wishlist the title on Steam for updates.

About Quorum Games

Quorum Games is a video game studio with its members spread all across the world. It aims to create the most outstanding games inspired by both remembered and forgotten console classics. The key members of the team, including Michael Schaffer and Lliam Sedawie of LVLup, are known figures in the RPG Maker community. Quorum Games currently works on Call of Elyndra – their debut action RPG/cozy game hybrid.

Soar Amongst the Clouds in Lost Skies, Releasing Out Of Early Access on September 17th

The sky is limitless and your journey is defined by your creativity.

[August 27, 2025]Lost Skies, the hit co-op survival game, is soaring out of Early Access as it releases into 1.0 on September 17th on PC via Steam, allowing veteran and novice explorers alike to fly high and journey into the unknown. After a big update and many quality of life improvements added while in Early Access, Lost Skies 1.0 is here to take the sky by storm!

Explore Lost Skies with up to five friends, discover forgotten technology and clues left behind by ancient civilizations, and unearth what led to this fractured world high above the clouds. Build a fully customizable and upgradeable skyship that serves as both your home base and your battleship against the colossal sky creatures known as the Seraph. Brave the dizzying heights with a physics-based grappling hook, wingsuits, and gliders, and enjoy the freedom to explore the endless possibilities that await.

In 2017, Bossa Games launched the ambitious sandbox MMO world of Worlds Adrift into Early Access. While the game ultimately did not reach a 1.0 release, the passion for the project and the world they created was never diminished or forgotten. When the time was right, Bossa decided to rebuild upon the strong groundwork left behind in Worlds Adrift’s wake. Lost Skies is that spiritual successor in every way. Lead Game Designer Luke Williams had this to say about the process of bringing Lost Skies to life: “Lost Skies was such a unique opportunity for a designer – if you could go back and revisit themes and experiences, what would you do? So we really wanted to elevate the elements players loved from Worlds Adrift, such as exploring hundreds of floating islands and building an entirely unique skyship from all the rare materials and parts you come across on your journey. Also some huge sky filling bosses thrown in for good measure. We’ve spent the last 3 years working with our community to make sure we’ve built an experience players can enjoy for years to come.”

The small but mighty team at Bossa Games, creators of physics-fueled hits like Surgeon Simulator and I Am Fish, has worked tirelessly on making Lost Skies the best possible experience for past Worlds Adrift players and new players alike. Drawing on their past successes, they’ve built Lost Skies into a playground of fun and inventive mechanics, including the grapple hook which is so good that it’s been called the best grappling system by players and feels as smooth and rewarding as you’d expect from a AAA title.

Here are some of the team’s big updates and accomplishments for Lost Skies prior to the 1.0 release:

  • Get Creative: The introduction of the Island Creator prior to launch allowed players to craft their own islands, share them with the community, and get ready to fly when Early Access arrived. Dozens of these hand-crafted islands populate the world players explore on a daily basis. Players can also unleash their creativity by designing skyships however they choose, crafting the perfect home base among the clouds!
  • Play Your Way: Full keybinding was added to allow players to customize their keys in order to climb, grapple, glide, and fight with whatever keys best suit them.
  • Content, Content, Content: New weapons, ship assets, naval boss battles, regions, puzzles, a map table, storage naming, better inventory management, and so much more has been added during the Early Access period and is ready for all players to enjoy in the 1.0 launch.
  • Improvements Galore: From day one, the team worked to remove bugs, deliver quality of life updates, and ensure the utmost stability for 1.0 while players journeyed through the clouds. 

It’s time to assemble your crew and build your ship as the Lost Skies adventure launches into 1.0 on September 17th on Steam!

About Bossa Games

Bossa Games is a multiple award-winning independent studio based in London, UK, with over a decade of great games made by its team. Bossa is recognized as one of the most creative game companies in the world, with titles such as Surgeon Simulator, I Am Bread, and I Am Fish cementing our reputation for disruption.

Bossa Games has a shared mission to ‘Forge the best co-op experiences friends will ever share together’ and our values are our guiding principles and beliefs to get us there. 

About Humble Games

Best known for critically acclaimed and award-winning hits such as A Hat in Time, Forager, Project Wingman, SIGNALIS, Slay the Spire, Temtem, UNSIGHTED, Unpacking, and Wizard of Legend, Humble Games is Humble Bundle’s publishing arm, composed of a passionate and nimble team that works remotely with a collection of talented global development partners. Humble Games was founded on a shared passion to support developers and deliver excellent content and gaming experiences to players around the world, while continuing the Humble mission to be a force for good in the industry. Humble Games is committed to investing in top-quality games, comprised of both new and existing beloved IPs, all while prioritizing and supporting developer partnerships so that they can focus on bringing their creative visions to life.

INDIE GAMES PLATFORM HYTOPIA DOUBLES CREATOR FUND TO $250,000, WELCOMES TWO NEW PARTNER STUDIOS

Pawtopia and SkyGarden Join as First Recipients of the Expanded Fund, SkyGarden Enters Open Beta Friday – Indie-friendly Platform Offers Milestone-based Funding, Full IP Ownership, and a 75/25 Revenue Share to Developers, Creator Fund Applications Now Open

Seattle, WA –  August 27, 2025 – HYTOPIA, the creator-first, browser-native online game platform, today confirmed that it has doubled its creator fund to $250,000 to accelerate development of innovative titles on its platform, with two partner studios – IROC Studios and SkyGarden Studios – now onboard. The Creator Fund is designed to empower experienced developers with engineering resources, custom creative tools, and commercial support needed to bring their creative visions to life.

IROC Studios – renowned for hits like Game Store Tycoon – is the first official recipient of the recently launched Creator Fund. The partnership will bring Pawtopia, a voxel-based pet collection and adventure game, to the HYTOPIA ecosystem. With over 110 million plays and 3 million fans on Roblox, IROC Studios exemplifies the caliber of experience HYTOPIA aims to support through its Creator Fund program. Pawtopia features vibrant worlds populated with collectable cube-shaped pets – ranging from conventional (cats, dogs) to fantastical (dragons) – all set to explore forested paths, crystal caverns, and hidden areas unlocked through pet abilities. Watch the Pawtopia trailer below.

SkyGarden Studios is introducing SkyGarden, a cozy, progression-based farming MMO where players grow crops, craft items, connect with friends, and design their dream garden. Starting on a humble 10×10 island, players can expand their land, decorate their space, and cook meals to sell or consume for bonus XP, all while completing tasks and achievements to become legendary “SkyGardeners.” The game enters open beta this Friday, August 29th, and interested SkyGardeners can find the game at hytopia.com.

“When we launched the Creator Fund, our goal was to give talented developers the freedom and resources to bring their visions to life,” said Temptranquil, Co-founder of Hytopia. “The incredible concepts from IROC Studios and SkyGarden Studios proved just how much potential there is in our community. Doubling the fund to $250,000 was an easy decision – it allows us to support more creators at a higher level and continue building a diverse library of games that players will love.”

HYTOPIA Creator Fund details:

  • The Creator Fund allocates up to $25,000 per studio, disbursed over five dev milestones – concept, closed beta, open beta, public launch, and final delivery – with a total fund of $250,000.
  • Experienced developers receive a generous revenue split on a non-exclusive platform which includes secondary sales, in addition to an expanded creative toolset, tailored engineering support and go-to-market services.
  • Eligibility targets experienced teams with a track record: at least one Roblox title with 10M+ plays or mobile with 100K+ downloads, plus core team members in 3D modeling, animation, and JS/TS development.

HYTOPIA is now accepting applications for its Creator Fund. Experienced studios interested in game development can apply now at creatorfund.hytopia.com and expect a response within 48 to 72 hours. New studios will be selected for milestone-based funding and tailored support toward launch-ready titles.

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.

Farmer’s Dynasty 2: New Trailer For Fan Favorite Marks Next Development Chapter

Get ready for family life, an open world and a farming experience spanning generations coming in 2026

Oberhaching, Germany, August 27, 2025 – After an unannounced surprise gamescom appearance of Farmer’s Dynasty 2, independent game developer UMEO Studios and German publisher Toplitz Productions are excited to jointly announce that the doors to your life as a farmer in not one, but two distinctive eras will open in early 2026.

While the devoted fanbase was getting anxious about the long period without any news about Farmer’s Dynasty 2, development has made great progress. “Thanks to the community’s continued support, we were able to collect a lot of feedback already and take necessary steps to add it to the development cycle”, comments Robin Gibbels, Head of Producing at Toplitz Productions. “We can’t wait to show you more in the coming weeks and months. But if you liked the predecessor or farming games in general, you will love the interactive open world we are preparing for you.”

To celebrate the re-emergence of a fan favorite in the Dynasty franchise, a new trailer was released showcasing some of the elements aspiring farmers can look forward to as well as a short glimpse into the picturesque landscapes waiting to be explored when the game will be released in Early Access on PC in early 2026.

More info on Farmer’s Dynasty 2 can be found on the official Steam product page, where the game can already be wishlisted. Or join us on Discord to get the latest infos and news on development, features and other topics.

About Umeo Studios

Umeo Studios is a small independent development studio nestled in Poland, dedicated to providing engaging player experiences, their previous titles include Lumberjack Dynasty and Farmers Dynasty.

About Toplitz Productions

The German-Austrian publisher, whose name originates from the mysterious Toplitz Lake in the heart of Austria, develops and publishes games with “heart & soul” for all platforms. The company consists of a healthy mix of experienced industry veterans and young talents, all of whom are passionate gamers. They enjoy working with creative developers on many exciting titles, such as those from the “Dynasty” and “Giant” series.

The Last Caretaker: Survive a Desolate Ocean World and Contemplate Your Own Existence

The debut title from Channel 37 launches into Early Access later this year.

Helsinki, Finland – August 27, 2025 – Channel 37 are excited to reveal a brand new gameplay trailer for the highly anticipated survival-crafting adventure, The Last Caretaker. Sail across a vast ocean world, recovering lost technology and ensuring humanity’s future—before it’s too late. The latest trailer shows never before seen gameplay and new environments which hint at the depth within The Last Caretaker .

You are the last caretaker; a reawakened machine tasked with saving the future of the human race by delivering human seeds from a desolate earth to the remaining human settlements in space. Offering a rich narrative to discover across a world shaped by humanity’s choices and consequences, you’ll uncover—step by step—the story behind your awakening, the echoes of those who came before, and the ultimate question of what it truly means to be human.

The Last Caretaker is a thoughtful take on the survival-crafting genre featuring a modular crafting system and resource-based combat with unrivalled depth.

  • Dynamic Resource Management: Your resources are your means of survival. Whether crafting weapons for offense or saving your materials for an easy exit –  you decide your priorities, what to create, how much to use and how much to keep. 
  • Immersive Locations: Explore a vast ocean world filled with abandoned structures, mysterious laboratories, and humanity’s last remaining harbours.
  • Crafting & Recycling: The world is your salvage yard. Dismantle abandoned structures, tear down machinery, and decide what is worth carrying to the recycler to craft weapons, power grids, and tools.

The Last Caretaker will be released into Early Access for Windows PC on Steam and the Epic Games Store in 2025 with a console release to follow. Subscribe to Channel37’s YouTube and Twitch channels to watch the weekly developer livestream series, showcasing more of the world and gameplay mechanics of The Last Caretaker. 

About Channel37

Founded in Helsinki, Finland in 2021, Channel37 is a studio that calls upon decades of games industry experience to make bold titles that connect players and provide experiences worth talking about. The seven-person studio comprises CEO and co-founder Miika Aulio, co-founders Vesa Halonen, Antti Ilvessuo, Sami Saarinen, and Community Manager Jack Pattillo. Collectively, the team has many decades of experience in the games industry, shipping major PC and console titles.

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE FAN FESTIVALS FOR 2026

Anaheim, Berlin and Tokyo Confirmed as Host Cities

27th August, 2025 – SQUARE ENIX today announced plans to host FINAL FANTASY XIV FAN FESTIVAL 2026, the latest series of global events for the critically acclaimed MMORPG, and confirmed Anaheim, California, Berlin, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan as the three host cities. 

The news was announced as part of a special video message from FINAL FANTASY XIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida on the 12th anniversary of A Realm Reborn in which he thanked the Warriors of Light for their continued support.

The announcement video can be viewed below.

Set to take place in North America, Europe and Japan respectively, details on the events are as follows:

  • North America – Anaheim, California – Anaheim Convention Center
    • 24th – 25th April 2026
  • Europe – Berlin, Germany –Messe Berlin, hub27
    • 25th – 26th July 2026
  • Japan – Tokyo – Makuhari Messe
    • 31st October – 1st November 2026

More information on FINAL FANTASY XIV Fan Festival 2026, including details on ticket sales will be announced at a later date. Further details can be found on the event website: https://fanfest.finalfantasyxiv.com

With more than 30 million total registered accounts, there has never been a better time for newcomers to begin their adventures in the critically acclaimed FINAL FANTASY XIV Online saga. The Free Trial includes all content from A Realm Reborn, the Heavensward and Stormblood expansions (and updates through Patch 4.58). Free Trial players can enjoy hundreds of hours of award-winning gameplay and story experiences equivalent to three full FINAL FANTASY titles, without limit on playtime. More information can be found at: https://sqex.to/FFXIVFreeTrial

* All images are taken from content currently in development.
* All content and specifications are subject to change without notice.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX and TAITO branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories 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 Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com

CHIP ‘N CLAWZ VS. THE BRAINIOIDS AVAILABLE NOW ON PC, PLAYSTATION 5, AND XBOX SERIES X|S WITH FRIEND’S PASS & CROSS PLATFORM PLAY

Play Solo Or Team Up With A Buddy Online Or On The Couch For A Memorable RTS Adventure From The Creator Of X-COM. Celebrating The Launch, Chip ’n Clawz vs. The Brainioids is 10% off until September 2

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 26, 2025 – Today, Arc Games and Snapshot Games are excited to announce Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, a chaos-filled action-strategy game from the creator of X-COM Julian Gollop. The title is available now on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S for £24.99. In celebration of the launch, from today until September 2, Chip ‘n Clawz is 10% off across all platforms.

Combining real-time strategy with action-packed combat, Chip ‘n Clawz invites players to outthink and outfight an invasion of silly brain-in-jar enemies across a vibrant world inspired by Saturday-morning cartoons and old-school comic books.

Chip ‘n Clawz vs. the Brainioids can be played solo or with a friend—online, in split-screen couch co-op, or PvP.  Players collect precious Brainium crystals, build bases, and lead armies into battle. The third-person action puts the heroes right in the center of battle, allowing the players to show off their combat skills and upgrade their arsenals, while issuing their armies commands. The game’s blend of action and strategy ensures an equal playing field for both tactical masterminds and newcomers alike.

This multiplayer-friendly adventure also has a Friend’s Pass available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Series X|S, that allow players to enjoy online co-op and PvP multiplayer for free with a friend who owns the game. More details on Friend’s Pass can be found here.

“With Chip ’n Clawz vs. the Brainoids, we created a game that feels just as rewarding for a veteran of real-time strategy games as it does for someone completely new to the genre,” said Julian Gollop, CEO of Snapshot Games. “Whether someone wants to charge straight into a fight or plot from afar, we built an experience where everyone and anyone can jump in, find their style, and have fun.”

ABOUT CHIP ‘N CLAWZ VS. THE BRAINIOIDS

From X-COM creator Julian Gollop and the Snapshot Games team, the developers behind Phoenix Point and Chaos Reborn, comes Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, an action-strategy game that combines the enthralling gameplay of a real-time strategy (RTS) game with a third-person action adventure. In Chip ‘n Clawz vs. The Brainioids, players will work together to put a stop to the Brainioid invasion. In this colorful comic book-inspired journey, players can take on the roles of heroes Chip, Clawz, or both characters in cooperative gameplay to gather resources and collectibles, build bases, strengthen hero abilities, command minions and fight alongside them in battle. Complete a series of story campaigns with a variety of challenges and formidable bosses in exhilarating battles, or play team-based multiplayer matches to defeat the Brainioids and save the world!

GAME FEATURES 

  • FUSION OF ACTION AND STRATEGY
    • Play as the heroic duo, Chip and Clawz, in single-player or co-op, to put a stop to the Brainioid invasion in an exciting and humorous story campaign with normal and hard difficulty modes.
    • Jump right into the action in fast-paced, pick-up-and-play missions with easy to learn yet satisfying to master game mechanics that bring a modern take to classic strategy games.
    • Lead the charge against the Brainioids as you build your arsenal of bases, weapons, and hero abilities. Assemble and command an army of minions and fight beside them in large-scale battles.
    • Exhilarating boss battles against the mightiest of Brainioids will put your base and minion management skills to the ultimate test.
  • MULTIPLE MULTIPLAYER MODES
    • Experience multiplayer mayhem in epic army battles with or against your friends!
    • 2-player couch co-op to double your fun – coordinate your tactics with a friend to defeat the Brainioid forces.
    • Dive into the PvP mayhem – classic online 1v1, 2v2, buddy up with a friend, or clash in split-screen 1v1 to see who’s the best of the best.
    • Jump into PvP matches or invite anyone to join your adventure campaign on any platform thanks to cross-platform play support across PC and consoles.
  • LIVELY COMIC BOOK-STYLE VISUALS AND STORYTELLING
    • Traverse through a vibrant and fun world with a comic book-like style and flair.
    • Meet a colorful and funny cast of characters, each with their own unique stories to tell across your adventures.
    • Explore every nook and cranny of each level to collect rare collectible items and secrets, like comic books that unveil the mysteries of the Brainioid invasion, and find blueprints to build new weapons, minion upgrades and hero abilities.
  • MORE WAYS TO PLAY TOGETHER WITH FRIEND’S PASS
    • Friend’s Pass will be available to download for free on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S and supports crossplay. 
    • Players who own Chip ‘n Clawz vs.The Brainioids will have the opportunity to play the game with a buddy for free with the title’s new Friend’s Pass – as long as one player owns the full game, both players can play the full campaign via online co-op and play all the PvP maps available at launch. 
    • With Friend’s Pass, it will let players join forces to save the world in online co-op… or go head-to-head to see who’s the best of the best in PvP multiplayer for free across any platform thanks to cross play support.

ABOUT SNAPSHOT GAMES

Snapshot Games is a video game development studio in Sofia, Bulgaria, founded in 2013 by Julian Gollop, award-winning designer of the original X-COM games, and David Kaye, serial entrepreneur in the games industry. Their two released titles, Phoenix Point (2019) and Chaos Reborn (2015), have both been critically praised and very popular in the strategy genre. In 2020, Snapshot joined the Embracer Group, one of the world’s largest games and entertainment companies, as a division of Saber Interactive.

ABOUT ARC GAMES

Arc Games is a leading publisher of premium and live service games in North America, Europe and Asia. The company is known for creating and publishing titles based on well-known global entertainment franchises, such as Star Trek and Dungeons & Dragons. Its product portfolio also includes beloved gaming titles: the Remnant series, Hyper Light BreakerHave a Nice DeathGigantic: Rampage Edition and the Torchlight series. Originally founded in 2008 as Perfect World Entertainment, the publisher was acquired by Embracer in February 2022 and was later rebranded as Arc Games. The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California, with global offices in Amsterdam and Shanghai. Arc Games is part of the Embracer Group AB, based in Karlstad, Sweden. For more information about Arc Games, please visit: www.arcgames.com.

Gears of War: Reloaded is Out Today – Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Summary

  • Gears of War: Reloaded is out today for $39.99 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam and PlayStation 5, and is available via PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate.
  • The original Gears of War returns, faithfully remastered, natively optimized for more platforms than ever before, with full cross-play and cross-platform support.
  • The Coalition Studio Head Mike Crump looks back on the history of the first game, and its lasting legacy.
  • Xbox players that purchased Gears of War Ultimate Edition (Digital) before May 5, 2025 will receive Gears of War: Reloaded as a free upgrade.

It’s finally time to jump into the action in Gears of War: Reloaded, out on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5 and Steam today. For many of us, it’s a welcome return to one of gaming’s most iconic stories, but for many more, it’s the first time you’ll be stepping into the extra-large boots of Marcus and Dom. We’re thrilled that so many new players can experience their story for the first time ever – and whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the Locust War or picking up a Lancer for the first time – here’s everything you need to know, plus some exclusive extra insight from inside The Coalition.

The Classic Returns, Better than Ever

It’s been almost 20 years since Gears of War first made its way onto the Xbox 360, and the release of Reloaded is just the start of how the studio plans to honor the milestone, says Mike Crump, Studio Head at The Coalition.

“We really felt that bringing back the game that started it all – and bringing it to more players and more platforms than ever before – was the perfect way to kick off a celebration of 20 years of Gears,” Crump adds. “I’m jealous of everyone who’s about to experience Gears for the first time because I remember what an amazing experience that was!”

In Gears of War: Reloaded, every aspect of the original game has been brought to modern standards – art, audio, cinematics… everything – to deliver a new, enhanced experience. With stunning 4K resolution, assets and textures, a 60 FPS campaign with lightning-fast load times and 120 FPS in multiplayer, this the ultimate way to play Gears of War, and it’ll feel spectacular no matter how many times you’ve experienced this story before.

“It’s always fascinating to see the difference between what you remember your favourite games looking like and what they actually looked like,” Crump says. “Gears of War set a new bar for graphical fidelity in 2006, and that’s what I remember about it – being in awe of how great it looked. Of course, the bar has moved a lot higher since then. Upgrading and enhancing such a beloved game for today’s generation of hardware has been a labor of love for The Coalition.”

Squad Up Across Platforms

With so many new platforms joining the fight, Gears of War: Reloaded is built to support squads without restriction. Cross-play functionality means that players across Xbox, PlayStation and Steam can party up together, whether its to take on the Campaign in two-player co-op mode, or team up in Versus Multiplayer, which supports up to 8 players, providing all party members are signed into a Microsoft account.

Not only does signing in with a Microsoft account allow for cross-platform parties, it also enables cross-progression. Allowing your Campaign and multiplayer progress to carry across devices for a seamless experience wherever you play. It also allows you to send invites and play with friends across platforms — like Xbox to PlayStation or Steam to Xbox.

With the 20th anniversary of Gears of War around the corner, we couldn’t help but ask Crump to share one of his favourite Gears moments (and we’ve kept it spoiler-free).

“The terror of encountering the Berserker will be forever etched into my memory,” says Crump. “The way she’s introduced is an ‘oh shit’ moment for the ages!”

EA AND FULL CIRCLE REVEAL SEPTEMBER 16 EARLY ACCESS RELEASE DATE FOR SKATE.

Get Ready to Explore San Vansterdam, an Ever-Evolving Skateboarding Sandbox, and Experience the Best Skateboarding Gameplay in the Franchise

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 26, 2025 – Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Full Circle announced that skate., the next chapter of the award-winning skateboarding video game franchise, will launch into Early Access on September 16 for PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app. skate. is free-to-download, cross-platform,* and cross-progression,* making it as accessible as possible for both longtime skate. franchise fans, and newcomers alike. 

Set in the vibrant city of San Vansterdam, skate. is a multiplayer skateboarding destination offering a massive open world where players discover unique skate spots, land insane tricks and connect – or compete – with friends online. With four unique neighborhoods – Hedgemont, Gullcrest, Market Mile and Brickswich – each offering its own distinct vibe and challenges, the city is a huge playground for skaters. From parks and plazas to rooftops and massive ramps, every corner is packed with skateable spots, including the House of Rolling Reverence, a former church transformed into a trick haven for skaters.

Watch the skate. Early Access Release Date Trailer below.

At the core of skate. is the restored and improved Flick-It System, brought back to life through the Frostbite™ Engine to deliver the best skateboarding experience we have ever offered. With unparalleled precision and control, Flick-It brings the magic of the franchise back to life for a new generation of players. skate. alsointroduces a variety of new tricks – such as wallies, slappies and firecrackers – offering fresh ways to ride. Skatepedia serves as the ultimate resource for mastering tricks and styles, while ensuring accessibility for new players. 

skate. is not just a return, it’s a complete evolution of the franchise that’s built to last,” said Mike McCartney, Executive Producer of skate. “Our goal with skate. is to capture the freedom, creative expression and community of skateboarding, and share it with as many people as possible. From day one, our priority has been to honor the legacy of the franchise while pushing it into a bold new future – one built in partnership with our players.”

In skate., players can discover new ways to explore and get vertical with new off-board controls, giving them total freedom to roam, climb and find epic new spots. Additional features like Quick Drop allow players to place ramps, rails, benches and more anywhere in the world to fine-tune their perfect spot. skate. offers players the ability to find their own fun with endless activities, including rotating world map challenges – such as Line Challenges, Own The Spot and Sessions – as well as high-energy Throwdowns with friends. The new Spectate mode lets players instantly find the action and use Spectaport to jump straight into any live session.

Collaborative development with skate. fans and the community have always been a priority throughout our development process. Player feedback has been welcome all throughout playtesting and something Full Circle will continue to look at during the game’s Early Access period. During Early Access, players can expect to see new content every season, offering fresh challenges, cosmetics, music, world updates, and new events each season.

“Community is the heart of skateboarding, and it’s the heart of skate.,” said Jeff Seamster, Head of Creative on skate. “From day one, we’ve aimed to create an open, welcoming space shaped by players. We’ve built this game alongside our community – listening, learning and evolving together. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just dropped in, skate. is a place to express yourself, connect and grow. No gatekeepers, no barriers – just a city built for skating and a community that keeps it alive. Early Access is a huge milestone in that journey, and we’re hyped to keep growing San Vansterdam with our crew around the world.”

skate. launches into Early Access on September 16 on PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4, Xbox One & PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app. Stay tuned – there’s much more to come from skate.

For more information on skate., visit: https://www.ea.com/games/skate/skate.

*Conditions & restrictions apply. See https://go.ea.com/skate-cross-play for details.

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