Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo — August 30 — Shueisha Games Inc. has unveiled new key art illustrated by MAPPA for the upcoming 2026 survivors-royale game Jujutsu Kaisen RUMBLE: SURVIVATON at the Juju Fes 2026, celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. Additionally, it was revealed that “Kenjaku” and “Naoya Zen’in” will appear as boss characters. The first public playtest build of the game will be available exclusively at the “Tokyo Game Show 2026,” which starts on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Exclusive key art featuring newly drawn illustrations by MAPPA!
Shueisha Games revealed new key art for Jujutsu Kaisen RUMBLE: SURVIVATON featuring newly drawn illustrations by MAPPA, the animation studio behind the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, on stage at Juju Fes 2026.

Kenjaku and Naoya Zen’in Confirmed as New Bosses!

Jujutsu Kaisen RUMBLE: SURVIVATON is a battle royale game created by poncle—known for Vampire Survivors— where players control pixel-art versions of Yuji Itadori and others, competing against up to 8 other players for a spot on the leaderboard. 
With over 20 characters scheduled to appear, it has been confirmed that, in addition to the 10 already announced, two new characters—“Kenjaku” and “Naoya Zen’in”—will be joining the roster as boss characters!

World’s First Public Playtest Build at Tokyo Game Show 2026!
At the Shueisha Games booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, attendees can experience the world’s first public playtest of Jujutsu Kaisen RUMBLE: SURVIVATON. Plus, those who meet the requirements will receive an original giveaway item to be announced at a later date!

If you’re attending the Tokyo Game Show 2026, be sure to stop by the Shueisha Games booth.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Details

• Dates and Times: Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Monday, September 21, 2026
  • [Business Days]
    • Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Friday, September 18, 2026, 10:00-17:00 each day
  • [Public Days]
    • Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Sunday, September 20, 2026, 9:30-17:00 each day
    • Monday, September 21, 2026 (Holiday), 9:30-16:00
• Location: Makuhari Messe (Exhibition Halls 1-11, International Conference Hall) / TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall
• Address: 2-1 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 261-8550
• Website: https://tgs.cesa.or.jp/2026/

About “Jujutsu Kaisen RUMBLE: SURVIVATON”
Exorcise, Compete, Reach the Top
This is a survival-royale game where you become a character from “Jujutsu Kaisen” and battle against numerous cursed spirits and rivals.
Fight cursed spirits, grow stronger through battles, compete with rivals, and survive as the last one standing.
*Online play supports up to 8 players. Solo play mode available.

• Supported Platforms: Nintendo Switch™2 / PlayStation®5 / XBOX Series X|S / Steam®
• Genre: Survivors Royale
• Release Date: Scheduled for 2026
• Number of Players: 1 to 8 players
• Rating: TBD
• Price: TBD
• Languages: Japanese / English / Chinese (Traditional) / Chinese (Simplified) / Korean / French / Italian / German / Spanish / Brazilian Portuguese
• Publisher: Shueisha Games
• Developer: poncle
• Copyright:
  • ©Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project
    • ©SHUEISHA, SHUEISHA GAMES developed by Poncle Limited
• Shueisha Games Official Website: https://jjkrsurvivaton.shueisha-games.com/
• Official X: https://x.com/JJKRS_JP

About Shueisha Games
Shueisha Games, founded in February 2022 and headquartered in Tokyo, is an enthusiastic and experienced team responsible for the planning, development, and sales of many titles for consoles, PCs, and smartphones.

Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.
“PlayStation Family Mark”, “PlayStation”, and “PS5” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
Microsoft, XBOX, and the XBOX-related logos are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
©2026 Valve Corporation. Steam and the Steam logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
*Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

| Streaming now on Crunchyroll |

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You | For fans of: quiet romance, real emotions, staying up too late watching one more episode

Sasaki is an overworked salaryman drifting through the corporate grind, sustained by cigarettes and the cheerful service and smile of Yamada, the clerk at his favourite supermarket. But one night after a gruelling shift, he arrives late to find Yamada nowhere to be seen. With nowhere left to smoke, his spirits sink -until a pierced young woman calls out to him: “You can smoke here.” A warm, slow-burn romance between a burnt-out salaryman and the sunshine convenience store clerk who quietly changes his world.

Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World Season 4 Part 2 | For fans of: psychological drama, high stakes, not sleeping

In the deadly battle at Priestella, Subaru and his allies emerged victorious -but at great cost. As Subaru searches for a way to save Rem, Crusch, and Julius, he learns of a wise woman said to possess every form of knowledge, residing at the Pleiades Watchtower. Subaru and his crew must brave the uncharted Auguria Dunes to reclaim what was lost. If you have not started Re:ZERO yet, September is your excuse. If you have -buckle up.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3 | For fans of: epic fantasy, isekai, watching someone actually grow as a person

When a 34-year-old underachiever gets run over by a truck, his story does not end there. Reincarnated as an infant, Rudy will seize every opportunity to live the life he always wanted. Armed with new friends, freshly acquired magical abilities, and the courage to do the things he always dreamed of, he is embarking on an epic adventure -with all of his past experience intact.

Link Click Season 3 | For fans of: mystery, time travel, emotional gut punches

Using superpowers to enter their clients’ photos one by one, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang take their work seriously at Time Photo Studio, a small photography shop set in a modern metropolis. Each job can be full of danger, but nothing is more important than fulfilling every order, no matter the scale -or peril involved. One of the most compelling anime of the year returns for its third season.

Daemons of the Shadow Realm | For fans of: Fullmetal Alchemist, dark fantasy, edge-of-your-seat storytelling

From Hiromu Arakawa -the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist -twins Yuru and Asa find their peaceful lives torn apart when a dragon’s roar echoes across the sky. What secrets lurk within their village? What fate awaits them? Enter a breathtaking mystical fantasy as exciting Daemon battles intertwine the mysterious and supernatural. Currently airing weekly -jump in now before spoilers find you.

Clevatess Season 2 | For fans of: dark fantasy, unlikely bonds, stories that defy expectations

One of the Lords of Dark Beasts, Clevatess’s reign shatters when he revives a hero he personally slayed and adopts an orphaned humanoid baby -the last hope to save a dying world. Now bound together, what fate awaits this unlikely trio? Season 2 picks up right where the beloved first season left off.

ONE PIECE -Elbaph Arc Part 2 | For fans of: epic adventures, mythology, the greatest ongoing anime of all time

The Elbaph arc continues as Luffy and the Straw Hats navigate the land of giants. If you have been watching, you already know. If you have not started One Piece yet -there has never been a better time. New episodes every Monday on Crunchyroll.

Goodbye, Lara | For fans of: fairy tales, romance, second chances

Once upon a time, a mermaid princess named Lara fell in love with a human prince. To be with him, she used a witch’s potion to become human -but the magic came at a cost. Now, 200 years later, Lara awakens in Lake Biwa with one final chance at life and love. Beautiful, bittersweet and utterly charming.

Monuments Renovator debuts on PlayStation 5, letting players become professional monument conservators. In this relaxing simulator, players restore the world’s most famous landmarks to their former glory while learning about their architecture and history. The PlayStation 5 release date is set for September 1. Monuments Renovator is also available on PC.

Monuments Renovator is the work of Polish studios Games Incubator and North Wind. The game first launched on PC in 2024. Ultimate Games S.A. is responsible for preparing and releasing the console version.

Restore the Glory of the Greatest Landmarks

Monuments Renovator is a relaxing first-person simulator in which players take on the role of a professional monument conservator.

The world’s greatest landmarks are waiting to be restored to their former glory, and players learn about their history and architecture along the way. The available monuments span different eras and civilizations, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Luxor in Egypt, Machu Picchu, and the Pont du Gard aqueduct.

PlayStation Store – https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10018393/

Gameplay in Monuments Renovator covers a wide range of restoration work on these famous structures, including cleaning, rebuilding collapsed walls and roofs, restoring old frescoes, and furnishing interiors.

The game also includes management mechanics, using a variety of tools and materials, and checking completed work against the renovation plans.

Monuments Renovator – Key Features:

• Become a professional monument conservator
• Restore famous landmarks to their former glory
• Clean, rebuild, and restore
• Work with a variety of tools
• Learn the history and architecture of magnificent monuments

Monuments Renovator launches on PlayStation 5 on September 1, 2026. The standard console price is 14.99 USD/EUR or the equivalent in other currencies.

Watch Time Traveler Max Venture Into the Mysterious EON World to Fight Time-Energy Enemies and Take on a Massive Boss!

ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 30, 2026 – Video game developer and publisher Templar Media today revealed a new Gate Zero gameplay trailer, giving players their first look at the game’s combat and the other-worldly realm known as the EON World. The new footage follows time traveler Max as he ventures into this chaotic realm, battling corrupt time-energy enemies called The Kairos, on his way to rescue his new friend. Gate Zero, a story-rich action-adventure game that pairs time travel with biblical history, coming to Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Spring 2027. 

Gate Zero is a semi-open world action-adventure game set in ancient Israel that allows the player to explore history and Biblical events. Gate Zero features Max, a teen from a dystopian future, players utilize their own mix of combat, stealth, and dialogue, to save history and get back to their own time.

Gate Zero Gameplay Features:

• Story Rich, Action Adventure: Player-driven narrative that weaves together a dystopian future, biblical history and cinematic action.
• Past and Present Collide: The Eon World is a separate dimension where time and space are corrupted, causing the future and the past to collide – where people, objects and even ideas are held captive and frozen.
• Journey Through Time: Complete missions, evade capture, explore mysterious realms, solve intricate riddles and uncover profound truths in a fight to preserve history before it is changed forever.
• A Land On the Brink of Upheaval: Two historic cultures collide when the storied, ancient Jewish homeland is occupied by the preeminent force of the time – The Roman Empire.
• Explore Ancient Israel: Travel through faithfully re-created New Testament locations, including Galilee, Capernaum, Cana, Jordan River, Jerusalem and more.
• First-Hand Bible Perspective: Walk alongside the people who witnessed Jesus’ ministry. Explore richly detailed environments built from scripture and historical research, experience iconic biblical events, witness some of the miracles Jesus performed during his life, sink into the culture, struggles and hope of first-century AD through Max’s perspective.

 
Developed with deeply researched historical accuracy and designed with stunning Unreal Engine 5 visuals in an immersive world, Gate Zero allows players of all ages and generations to experience the sights, sounds and stories of the Bible.
 
Wishlist Gate Zero today on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox X|S.

ABOUT TEMPLAR MEDIA:
Based in Atlanta, GA, Templar Media is a video game developer, publisher and media company founded by 25-year game industry veteran John Gibson. With an “Entertainment First!” philosophy, Templar goes beyond traditional funding and marketing by prioritizing a “Relational Publishing” approach, fostering deep partnerships with development teams to ensure mutual success. Leveraging its extensive experience from franchises like Killing Floor, Maneater, and Chivalry 2, Templar is poised to bring unforgettable, high-quality gaming experiences to a global audience.

Acclaimed action RPG debuts on Nintendo Switch 2; new content including two classes, new armor sets and torrent skins come to ELDEN RING on all platforms

Lyon, France – 28 August 2026 – ELDEN RING™ Tarnished Edition, the open world action RPG from FromSoftware Inc. and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., is now available on Nintendo Switch™2. The game invites Nintendo players to enter the Lands Between and the Realm of Shadow, bringing the original game that received more than 400 Game of the Year nominations bundled with the critically acclaimed expansion ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree to the console. For the first time, players can experience FromSoftware’s epic RPG on a Nintendo platform, experiencing its unforgettable gameplay moments and exploring its vast story and universe in docked or handheld mode. ELDEN RING players across all platforms can also enjoy all-new content starting today, including new classes, gear, and Torrent skins featured in ELDEN RING™ Tarnished Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 and available for purchase for ELDEN RING on PlayStation®5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC via Steam®.

In ELDEN RING™ Tarnished Edition, players will chart their own path in the vast and seamless world of the Lands Between, on foot or riding Torrent, their trusted Spectral Steed. Exploration is endless in this world full of wonders, but dangers lurk around every corner. The Nintendo title also bundles in the acclaimed expansion Shadow of the Erdtree, featuring an epic new adventure expanding on the story of the original, where players step into the Realm of Shadow, following in the footsteps of Miquella.

ELDEN RING™ Tarnished Edition also features brand new content, introducing two new Starting Classes, the Heavy Knight and the Idus Knight, along with four new armor sets that include two new starting class sets. For the first time, players can also customize Torrent, choosing from three new appearance options.  The new content is also available for purchase on other platforms as the Tarnished Pack.

The original ELDEN RING sold more than 30 million units, introducing a vast, dark fantasy world as imagined by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the DARK SOULS® video game series, and George R.R. Martin, author of The New York Times’ best-selling fantasy series, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” With ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, Nintendo players will experience the unforgettable journey to become the Elden Lord, facing off against incredible challenges as they chart their path across sprawling environments, whether on foot or riding Torrent, their trusted Spectral Steed. In the included expansion ELDEN RING Shadow of the Erdtree, players embark on an entirely new adventure, facing a journey where they may need to leave their grace behind as they unravel the sinister dark side of the ELDEN RING story.

For more information about titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu.

###

About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S.    

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.  

Producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, and production capabilities of Reflector Entertainment.  

Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry’s top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.  

For more information, please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu   

S-Rank Electric Armorer Agent Claret and S-Rank Wind Stun Agent Roxy make their debut one after another. Participate in the upcoming version events to obtain the Angels of Delusion faction series outfits for free.

August 28, 2026, Singapore — Global interactive entertainment brand HoYoverse announced today that the urban fantasy ARPG Zenless Zone Zero’s Version 3.2 “Their Secret Histories” will officially launch on September 9. This version will introduce Zenless Zone Zero’s brand-new Agent Specialty, Armorer. Claret, the head of Flint Workshop and an S-Rank Electric Armorer Agent, will debut in the first half of the version, while Roxy, an S-Rank Wind Stun Agent, will appear in the second half. By participating in related events in subsequent versions, Proxies can obtain the Angels of Delusion faction series outfits for free. Logging in to the game during the version period will also grant a cumulative total of 10 Encrypted Master Tapes and 10 Boopons.

Check out Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.2’s latest trailer:

In the Version 3.2 main story “Their Secret Histories,” the Proxies and company travel to the Shrouded Reef’s special zone, Vyrium, to further treat the mutated power within their body, only to discover that the seemingly impregnable Roscaelifer has long been quietly infiltrated by TOPS. Meanwhile, a shipment of Porcelloy from Flint Workshop vanishes without a trace at a transfer station, its location unknown. Workshop head Claret and her assistant Roxy are determined to investigate, pulling the Proxies into the case. Following the clues, they arrive at a covert research facility deeply connected to Helios Academy. Airspace Patrol Department’s Administrative Director Lindverne Sunbringer also commissions Claret to help investigate the Porcelloy leads within the remnants of Girtablullu. A mysterious “old classmate,” an “old friend” reunited after years apart, and secrets Sunbringer has long kept buried — all will slowly come to light beneath the night sky of Vyrium.

Armorer is a brand-new Agent Specialty introduced in Zenless Zone Zero, built around balancing offense and defense as its core. It features the all-new Maim and multi-CRIT mechanics. As the first Armorer Agent, the S-Rank Electric Agent Claret — head of the Flint family and Administrative Director of Flint Workshop — can accumulate Gash on enemies through attacks. Once fully stacked, Gash is applied to the target, and hitting them with specific skills triggers Maim, dealing additional DMG and granting a Laceration DMG boost. All of Claret’s skills use DEF as their base DMG multiplier. When her CRIT Rate exceeds 100%, the excess portion triggers multi-CRIT, calculated with Laceration DMG in place of normal CRIT DMG. Additionally, her initial CRIT DMG is converted into initial CRIT Rate at a certain ratio, making the accumulation of DEF, CRIT Rate, and CRIT DMG the key to building her. Additionally, the Armorer Specialty possesses the ability to trigger the Counter Assist mechanic, allowing them to contest certain enemy Control Skills and push them back. Claret’s exclusive Signal Search channel will be available during the first half of the version. The S-Rank Wind Stun Agent Roxy — chief smith of Flint Workshop — has her core mechanic built around Eyes of the Storm: holding her EX Special Attack creates a tornado on the field, forming an Eye of the Storm, following which it can gather and detonate Eyes of the Storm on the field to create one massive tornado. Her Ultimate can generate multiple tornadoes that unleash a powerful strike at enemies in front in a large area. Roxy’s exclusive Signal Search channel will be available during the second half of the version. For reruns, the first and second halves will respectively feature the return of S-Rank Agents Nangong Yu and Promeia along with their Exclusive W-Engines.

Version 3.2 will also bring Proxies a special gift from producer Zhenyu, who announced via a handwritten letter that by participating in related events during Versions 3.2 and 3.3, Proxies can obtain the Angels of Delusion faction series outfits for free. In the additional 14-day check-in event “Surprise Screening Plan,” completing designated check-in missions will allow Proxies to select one Angels of Delusion outfit. The limited-time event “Clink, Clank, Pinball Knight!” invites Proxies to team up with Kahkiboo to craft an artistic pinball machine. After completing the Challenge Mode of this event, Proxies can also claim an additional Angels of Delusion outfit on the “Angels Support Operation” page. Additionally, the virtual pet-raising event “Diary of an Orbie Parent,” the Booastrum detective event “Chronicles of the Hobbling Crow,” and the HIA virtual combat event “Shadow Chase Showdown” will also be available successively, with rewards including Polychromes, Tuning Calibrators, and other generous content. In terms of gameplay, Enigma of the Labyrinth: Operation Bagel will receive a season update, divided into two types: standard season updates and themed season updates. Standard season updates include new Z-Rank valuables and character Gear, advanced challenges, server-wide rankings and season mission resets, and so on. Version 3.2 is a standard season update — in addition to the above content, the store will also feature new season-limited large-capacity inventory and Proxy accessories for exchange. Furthermore, Claret and Roxy will join the lineup with new Tactical Prisms and Armorer Specialty General Gears, as well as a new “Break-Even Beacon” item — upon use, it summons a Bangboo to carry away some supplies in advance, so even if the extraction fails, those supplies won’t be lost and will still count toward the current round’s supplies tally. A larger-scale themed season update featuring new maps, new systems, and high-difficulty challenges is currently in development. Stay tuned for that, Proxies! In the Hollow Zero gameplay, exclusive Gears for Claret and Roxy will also be updated simultaneously.

On the system aspect, the Beginner Guide now includes the Agents Jane, Hugo, and Soldier 0 – Anby — Proxies who did not claim the Agent self-select perk in Version 3.1 can select one of them in the Guide after the 3.2 update, and upon completing the Phase 2 missions, Proxies can also select a corresponding Exclusive W-Engine. Agent Koleda will also receive an enhancement, and the Perfect Assist trigger mechanism has been optimized: golden flashes now consistently trigger Defensive Assist, while red flashes consistently trigger Evasive Assist. A new Armorer-exclusive VR Training stage has been added to the VR Training Room, and a new W-Engine, Bloodmarrow Coffer, has been added to City Fund Benefits, redeemable in future versions with the Great Builder’s Certificate.

Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.2 “Their Secret Histories” will officially launch on September 9, 2026, on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox PC, PC, iOS, Android, and Steam. The game is rated Teen by the ESRB and is also classified as PEGI 12. For more information, please visit the official website at https://zenless.hoyoverse.com/ or follow @ZZZ_EN on X (Twitter).

About Zenless Zone Zero
Zenless Zone Zero is HoYoverse’s urban fantasy ARPG, in which a calamity called the “Hollows” has destroyed modern society. New Eridu, the last remaining metropolis, has risen against the odds amidst this destructive catastrophe to become the last bastion of modern civilization. In the game, players assume the role of a “Proxy” accompanied by unique characters as they explore Hollows, battle enemies, complete commissions, and reveal the mysteries behind New Eridu.

About HoYoverse
HoYoverse is committed to providing immersive virtual world experiences to players around the world. We have brought fans popular games including Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Honkai Impact 3rd, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero, as well as a wide range of entertainment content.

Our community is at the heart of everything we do. We are devoted to engaging fans and fostering an enthusiastic and inclusive global community that provides access and encouragement for people to share their passion for ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) through their own creativity and skills.

Pushing the boundaries of imagination, we consistently explore cutting-edge game development technologies and have accumulated leading technical capabilities in cel shading, cloud gaming, and other fields. In the future, we will continue to expand our content production, technology research, and publishing duties through operations in offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other regions.

Based on the Popular Anime, the Soccer Action Game Returns with 22 National Teams, 110+ Playable Characters, and new Supercharged Gameplay with Signature Moves 

IRVINE, Calif. – August 28, 2026 – Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today announced the launch of CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS™. The title brings back the popular series featuring Super Action Soccer gameplay, where players compete in ‘the beautiful game’ with supercharged anime-inspired abilities. In the sequel, Tsubasa Ozora once again represents Japan as they vie against national teams, including well-known soccer powerhouses, to advance to the highly contested World Youth Championship. CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS is available now in Standard, Deluxe and Ultimate Edition for PlayStation®5, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via Steam®. For more information visit www.bandainamcoent.com/games/captain-tsubasa-2-world-fighters. 

Watch the CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS launch trailer here:

Based on the long-running anime and manga series, CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS follows Tsubasa’s latest quest representing the Japan national team. Players face off against 22 of the world’s toughest soccer rivals, including Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Mexico and more, along with more than five club teams, five high school teams, and a special team called Real Japan which appeared in the original Captain Tsubasa manga. As they progress and ultimately compete in the World Youth Championship, they experience a dramatic new storyline and take over more than 110 playable characters including fan-favorites from the series, honing their skills, forging new friendships, and overcoming increasingly challenging rivals to bring the trophy home.

Gameplay in CAPTAIN TSUBASA 2: WORLD FIGHTERS brings back the series’ over-the-top Super Action Soccer mechanics with enhanced visuals and new supercharged moves, adding more than 150 new moves and cut scenes highlighting special skills. The game includes a new system that pits goalkeeper against shooter, where players attack and counter signature shots and blocks from characters of the anime series in jaw-dropping sequences. Passing, dribbling, tackling and unleashing strikes on goal combine proven soccer tactics with powerful techniques inspired by each character and their special abilities. As a nod to fans of the game series, music composer Tadayoshi Makino returns with 80+ new tracks for the sequel.

# # #

About Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. 
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., part of the Bandai Namco Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for major video game consoles, PC, online, and mobile platforms. The company is known for creating many of the industry’s beloved classic franchises such as PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®, and publishing the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS™ series and the blockbuster title ELDEN RING™. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is also the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime-based video games including GUNDAM™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE®. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com.

©YoichiTakahashi/SHUEISHA,CaptainTsubasaSeason2,Jr.YouthArcCommittee
©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.

Press Release ©Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. 
All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. 

gamescom congress 2026 welcomed more than 1,100 visitors, setting a new attendance record +++ Opening speech by Federal President Steinmeier: “Digital games, taken as a whole, are culturally significant — and therefore, I believe this is crucial, they are also significant for our democracy” +++ 165 international experts provided insights into the potential of games for education, culture, the economy, science, and society

With the first-ever visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, an even wider variety of topics, and numerous renowned speakers, gamescom congress 2026 impressively demonstrated its relevance as the world’s leading conference on the potential of games. The congress took place on August 27 across a total of eight stages, featuring 85 program items and 165 speakers, as part of gamescom in Cologne. With over 1,100 attendees from business, education, science, politics, media, and society, the event set a new record. The congress was officially opened by Federal President Steinmeier himself. “Digital games, taken as a whole, are culturally significant — and therefore, I believe this is crucial, they are also significant for our democracy”. In his speech, he discussed, among other things, the profound impact games have on various industries and how they can contribute to the promotion of democracy as a cultural medium.

“With the Federal President’s first-ever visit and a new attendance record, this year’s gamescom congress concluded more successfully than ever before. This highlights once again how the future-oriented medium of games positively shapes the important issues of our time in business, culture, education, and science, and provides important impulses”, said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the Association of the German Games Industry and co-organizer of gamescom congress.

“The gamescom congress 2026 once again demonstrates the enormous potential of games for society. The visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, high-profile panels featuring international organizations, and strong initiatives to promote democratic values have impressively proven this. Topics were addressed that extend far beyond the games industry. Together with the game Association, we are creating an important platform for this exchange here in Cologne,” said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH and co-organizer of gamescom congress.

In terms of content, this year’s congress was shaped by key themes such as “Democracy as a Playing Field” and “The Games Effect.” Participants included representatives from international organizations such as Europol, the Red Cross, and the United Nations, as well as numerous experts from the games industry. Among those represented were the technology company Razer and game studios such as Paintbucket Games, remote control productions, and ROTxBLAU. Representatives from academia also provided insights into current research and findings, including from the University of Education in Freiburg, the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (IDZ) in Jena, and the Paderborn Education Center for Information Technology Professions.

In talks, panels, workshops, and roundtables, the speakers discussed a wide range of topics: How can games create spaces for democratic experiences and support people who have fled their home countries? How can AI be used to foster creativity, and how is it simultaneously changing career entry into the games industry? Other topics included the use of games to prevent cybercrime in schools, new approaches to digital remembrance culture, the competitiveness of the European games market, and the requirements for inclusive games.

gamescom congress would like to thank this year’s partners: The State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne, the German Society for Game Studies, the German Cultural Council, the esports player foundation, Games Syndicate Cologne, NetCologne, Playing for the Planet, the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, UNICEF, USK, and Video Games Europe, as well as Curatomic, Nerdstar, OMG FUSE, and Sunday Studio. We would also like to thank the media partners of gamescom congress:: ARD, brand eins, n-tv, and Wikimedia.

A recording (VOD) of this year’s gamescom congress can be found here (German only).

About gamescom congress
gamescom congress is the world’s leading conference on the potential of computer games in a digitalized world and offers interfaces far beyond the digital and media industry. International speakers present their topics in lectures, seminars and panel discussions. The gamescom congress takes place annually as part of gamescom in Cologne and is organized by Koelnmesse GmbH and game, the association of the German games industry. The gamescom congress is sponsored by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

About gamescom:
gamescom is the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. It takes place from 26 to 30 August 2026. For trade visitors, gamescom began on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev; for everyone else, it started on 25 August with the opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the year, it is complemented by gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association.

game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the gaming sector:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment segments. Hosted at the trade fairgrounds in Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom brings together passionate gamers, business visitors, and exhibitors from across the world with a highly effective approach – in person at the venue and digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the premier B2C, B2B, and B2G gaming event. In addition to the event at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio internationally: In Southeast Asia, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show provides an additional powerful industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively combining supply and demand. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a major event designed to stimulate dynamic growth in this market.  

Version 2 Phase One expands the career tree from 8 paths to 100 and the achievement list from 70 entries to 896.

Warrington, UK — 28 August 2026 — The Fifth Family, the browser-based mafia role-playing game, has completed the largest update in its history. Version 2 Phase One went live on 11 August 2026, five months after the game’s March launch, and rebuilds virtually every system in the game.

Careers expand from eight paths to one hundred, each aligned to one of the game’s five criminal families, each carrying four ranks of permanent passive bonuses and an exclusive item at the top. The achievement system moves from 70 flat entries to 224 four-tier lines — 896 individual claimables — with 26 category capstones layered above them.

Elsewhere the update replaces rather than extends. The Mansion, previously a list of thirteen upgradeable rooms, becomes the Estate: an eight-wing construction tree of twenty-eight nodes with real build times. Collections become Crime Vaults, which can be completed twice for escalating permanent bonuses before converting to a cash trade-in. Heists move from single-roll resolution to staged push-your-luck runs across 110 stages, where players choose between banking what they have and pushing for more.

Three systems are entirely new. The Forge lets players upgrade any of 668 eligible items to +10 across ten published rank tiers. Set Bonuses introduce 30 equipment sets totalling 210 pieces, rewarding players who assemble matching gear. Syndicates adds a Family Favor economy with six tiers, 66 missions and a 157-item store.

Street Intel, the game’s espionage system, has been rebuilt end to end with 240 scenario templates, ten reward bands, a mastery tree per category and five capstone abilities. Vigilantes expands from seven recruitable operatives to 95, funded by a new Alignment Shard currency. Street Racing gains a nine-phase driving mini-game, fifteen races and a 175-part Chop Shop economy.

Almost every system in the game was designed in the first few months, before I really understood how people were going to play it. Phase One is going back through all of it with five months of actual player behaviour to work from. I believe we’ve nailed that and we’re in a great position to now push on.

The update shipped additively. Every V2 system sat behind its own feature flag alongside the untouched V1 code until the cutover, allowing systems to be tested against live data and rolled back individually — an approach the team credits with keeping a rebuild of this size manageable at their size.

The studio has since expanded to two, with Zach joining as Head of Content who gains much of the credits for the design of V2 and upcoming future expansions and updates.

The Fifth Family is free to play in any browser, with companion apps for iOS and Android. The game has grown to over 5,000 registered players without paid advertising.

Play now at https://www.thefifthfamily.com

At a glance — V2 Phase One

About The Fifth Family

The Fifth Family is a persistent browser-based mafia RPG set across ten city districts. Players build a criminal career through crimes, heists, smuggling runs and espionage, join one of five families, and compete in a persistent world that runs whether they are logged in or not. It launched in March 2026 and is developed and now operated by a two-person team.

• Three trophies each go to CD PROJEKT RED and SEGA.
• Capcom and Ubisoft each won two awards
• Games Done Quick (GDQ) honored with the HEART OF GAMING Award.

The winners of the 2026 gamescom awards have been announced: on Friday 28 August, the coveted trophies were presented across a total of 19 categories at the gamescom studio powered by IGN.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt made a strong impression with its gamescom presence and picked up three awards. Fans voted the trailer for the remaster and the ‘Songs of the Past’ DLC as the Best Trailer / Announcement at gamescom Opening Night Live, as well as the pin and medallion – available at the DLC booth – as the Best Merch. The jury was also impressed by the Witcher’s show presence and honored it with the Jury Award for Best Booth.

SEGA also took home three trophies. The publisher’s titles won in the categories Best Audio – Alien: Isolation 2 – and Best PC Game – Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. Furthermore, SEGA’s diverse range of titles was recognized as the Best Lineup of gamescom.

Two of the coveted prizes each went to Capcom for Onimusha: Way of the Sword, which won the Best Gameplay and Best Sony PlayStation Game categories, and to Ubisoft, which can celebrate winning the Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game award for Rayman Legends Retold and the Jury Award for Best Business Booth.

This year’s HEART OF GAMING Award, the Special Jury Award, goes to Games Done Quick (GDQ). The charity speedrun event has already raised over 50 million dollars for good causes in the past. Games Done Quick will take place in Europe for the first time as part of gamescom as gamescom GDQ from 28 to 30 August 2026. This time all proceeds from donations and sponsorship will go to Gaming for Democracy, an initiative that promotes democratic values and social engagement through gaming culture.

Overview of the 2026 gamescom award winners:

ARTS Group

• Best Visuals: METRO 2039 – 4A Games/Deep Silver
• Best Audio: Alien: Isolation 2 – Creative Assembly/SEGA
• Best Gameplay: Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Capcom
• Most Entertaining: Wanderburg – Randwerk/Sidekick Publishing
• Most Epic: Tides of Annihilation – Eclipse Glow Games
• Most Wholesome: Finding Polka – lidlocks/Parco Games
• Games for Impact: SOKO 1977: Anti-Terror Task Force – Paintbucket Games/Federal Agency for Civic Education

PLATFORM Group

• Best Microsoft Xbox Game: Forza Horizon 6 – Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios
• Best PC Game: Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 – Creative Assembly/SEGA
• Best Sony PlayStation Game: Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Capcom
• Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game: Rayman Legends Retold – Ubisoft
• Best Mobile Game: Where Winds Meet – Everstone Studio/NetEase Games

GLOBAL Group

• Best Lineup (Jury Award): SEGA
• Best Booth (Jury Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past – CD PROJEKT RED
• Best Booth (Consumer Award): Arknights: Endfield – GRYPHLINE
• Best Business Booth (Jury Award): Ubisoft Business Lounge
• Best Merch (Consumer Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past – Pin & Medallion – CD PROJEKT RED
• Best Trailer / Announcement (Consumer Award): The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered & Songs of the Past DLC – CD PROJEKT RED
• HEART OF GAMING Award (Special Jury Award): Games Done Quick (GDQ)

The gamescom award recognizes the best playable games, trailers and presentations at gamescom. For more information on the gamescom award, visit www.gamescom.de/en/gamescom/gamescom-award

About gamescom:
gamescom is the world’s biggest gaming event and the most important business platform for the international games industry. From 24 to 30 August 2026, it brings together developers, trade visitors, companies and millions of fans from around the world – on site in Cologne and digitally across the globe. The week opens on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev. gamescom then opens to the public on the evening of 25 August with the major opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the week, gamescom offers a unique blend of entertainment, business and community experience. Alongside gamescom in Cologne, gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok have established themselves as further successful international gamescom editions.

Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the gaming sector:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment segments. Hosted at the trade fairgrounds in Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom brings together passionate gamers, business visitors, and exhibitors from across the world with a highly effective approach – in person at the venue and digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the premier B2C, B2B, and B2G gaming event. In addition to the event at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio internationally: In Southeast Asia, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show provides an additional powerful industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively combining supply and demand. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a major event designed to stimulate dynamic growth in this market.

game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.

Further information:
www.gamescom.global