LOS ANGELES – March 3, 2025 – The IGDA Foundation (IGDA-F) is proud to honor Muriel Tramis with this year’s Gerald Lawson Award, shining a light on her achievements in the game development space. The Gerald Lawson Award for Achievement in Game Development honors the accomplishments of people who identify as underrepresented minorities in the game development community, with a specific recognition of their work directly related to game development. “…Jerry (Gerald) Lawson pioneered home video gaming in the 1970s by helping create the Fairchild Channel F, the first home video game system with interchangeable games.” (source) The award will be presented during GDC at GamesBeat’s Crossfire Lounge event taking place on Tuesday, March 18.
Tramis is an engineer from Martinique and is recognized as the first Black woman video game designer, whose works include the very first wargame Freedom: Rebels in the Darkness, and a multitude of adventure games such as Méwilo, Geisha, Fascination, Lost in Time, and Urban Runner. Tramis is also an advocate for women in the French tech and gaming industry, supporting recruitment and training programs to bring more diverse perspectives into European studios.
The IGDA-F will also be providing its GDC programming for ten talented grantees, in large part thanks to the generous support of the GDC organizers. This year’s grantees include participants from two key IGDA-F cohorts: Velocity, which supports professionals transitioning from other industries into games, and NGL (Next Gen Leaders), which focuses on retaining and empowering marginalized developers. These grantees will have the opportunity to benefit from GDC and IGDA-F programs, expanding their networks and connecting with industry professionals. In addition, the IGDA-F is offering CV/Portfolio review sessions for GDC attendees in Community Sessions, with IGDA-F alumni and industry professionals providing feedback to GDC attendees in the Moscone Center.
Since 2008, the IGDA-F has supported over 1,000 alumni who work across the industry. The IGDA-F is sponsored by the generosity of companies such as GDC, Stride PR, and Double Fine Productions, all long-term supporters of the IGDA-F.
“We are very pleased to offer our support to such a forward-thinking and inclusive organization,” said Kevin Johnson, Double Fine’s Director of Development. “The IGDA Foundation’s initiatives have such a positive and important impact on our industry, and we’re very keen to see that continue.”
The organization is also now accepting applications for the 2025 Virtual Exchange, the online-only grantee program providing learning opportunities for game industry hopefuls and its next gen leaders. The IGDA-F’s Virtual Exchange is a six-week program that provides grantees with workshops, career coaching, and personalized mentorship for industry newcomers and veterans alike from game industry professionals. Applications for this year’s program are now open through March 24th, 2025.
“We’re very excited to be presenting so many opportunities to our ambitious grantees this year,” said Alyssa Walles, Executive Director, IGDA-F. “We hope that those selected for these grants will find the experiences and connections they foster to be invaluable stepping stones for their careers in gaming.”
The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) is dedicated to advancing inclusivity and diversity in the gaming industry by providing opportunities, education, and support for individuals from underrepresented communities. The IGDA-F is sponsored by a generous group of industry companies, including Double Fine Productions, Stride PR, GDC, and Premack Rogers. Since 2008, the IGDA-F has supported more than 1,000 alumni who now develop games at both AAA and indie studios. For more information, visit https://igdafoundation.org
Succumb to award-winning gothic horror at a 25% discount as part of Steam Visual Novel Fest
TORONTO, Canada – Mar. 3, 2025 – Scarlet Hollow, the award-winning gothic horror narrative developed by Black Tabby Games (Slay the Princess), relaunches at a 25% discount today alongside Steam’s Visual Novel Fest with The Roads Untraveled, a massive update renovating the Hollow with significant new content added to the eerie Early Access adventure.
The Roads Untraveled freshly reanimates the existing four chapters of Scarlet Hollow, with an expanded script of more than 70,000 words from Abby Howard and Tony Howard-Arias across four episodes. Experience new tales in Scarlet Hollow, North Carolina, and explore new branches of existing stories, replete with hundreds of brand new illustrations from award-winning cartoonist Abby Howard.
Pearlanne Scarlet, your aunt and owner of the Hollow’s Scarlet Mine, left your cousin Tabitha the heavy burdens of leadership in the wake of her passing. Help Tabitha grieve the death of her mother (even if she seems to hate your guts) while she manages the mine and its miscreants, from rustic locals to vengeful spirits. This funeral will have tremendous consequences for the living.
Embody a version of yourself defined by two traits with the power to alter the trajectory of your life… and others. Become a muscle-bound mystic, a nerdy loner who prefers talking to animals, or another amalgamation of your own design to craft a story unique to your choices with dire consequences tied to your actions. Experience a desktop roleplaying game through the first-person lens of a transient out-of-towner cursed to change everything — for better or worse.
“We’re still hard at work on chapter five and beyond, but we didn’t want to wait to make significant changes and improvements to the Scarlet Hollow experience,” says Tony Howard-Arias, co-founder of Black Tabby Games. “Try the first chapter for free – and see what dangers await.”
Scarlet Hollow – The Roads Untraveled Update welcomes you with open arms today on PC via Steam alongside the start of Steam’s Visual Novel Fest with a 25% discount off the regular price of $24.99 through Monday, March 10. The entire reworked first episode is now available as a free demo, with the ability to directly carry your progress over into the full game.
For more information on Scarlet Hollow, check out the official website, follow developer Black Tabby Games on Twitter and Tumblr, and join the official Discord and Reddit.
About Black Tabby Games
Black Tabby Games is an award-winning indie studio composed of Abby Howard (Ignatz-winning graphic novelist) and Tony Howard-Arias. Their combined penchant for powerfully interactive storytelling forms a consistently unforgettable duo of horror and humor as seen in 2021’s award-winning Scarlet Hollow and 2023’s acclaimed smash hit, Slay the Princess.
RuneFest returns for the first time in six years with exciting new announcements and biggest attendance ever
Old School RuneScape’s first ever new skill Sailing heads to the high seas with first alpha test this month
RuneScape Leagues brings fan-favourite Old School RuneScape game mode to RuneScape later this year
Playtest sign-ups now open for Old School RuneScape community worlds program Project Zanaris
Major RuneScape area expansion Havenhythe revealed for 2026
Golden Gnomes Awards celebrate RuneScape and Old School RuneScape community heroes
Cambridge, UK – Monday, 3rd March 2025 – RuneFest, the world’s biggest celebration of RuneScape, returned over the weekend with a line-up of exciting announcements, first looks, and premiere reveals of brand-new content and experiences coming to the worlds of RuneScape and Old School RuneScape throughout 2025 and beyond.
Returning for the first time since 2019, and with tickets selling out within minutes of going on-sale, RuneFest 2025 has been the biggest RuneFest yet, welcoming thousands of RuneScape fans to a jam-packed event at the NEC, Birmingham. The show opened with a surprise musical performance by accomplished guitarist, producer, and RuneScape megafan Cole Rolland who performed a ten-minute medley rock cover of classic RuneScape tracks accompanied by Jagex staff member, Mod Ash, on violin. The track is available now on streaming platforms.
Fans were able to meet their favourite J-Mods and community creators, get hands-on with the latest playable content, and be amongst the first to hear about exciting new announcements and updates coming to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape.
Old School RuneScape – Sailing Alpha Launches This Month, HD Mode & New Content Coming Soon
Set sail across the lands of Gielinor with Old School RuneScape’s first ever new skill, Sailing, playable for the first time at RuneFest 2025 and available for everybody to play in alpha later this month. Take to the seas with the Sailing update, starting off on a teeny tiny raft, and levelling up your skill as a sailor to become an experienced captain capable of commanding a crew and traversing hazardous waters. Dive with mermaids, salvage resources, and explore the far reaches of the ocean to defeat krakens, leviathans and cutthroat pirates in action-packed naval combat on the high seas of Gielinor.
For endgame players, take on an all-new challenge with a duo of new bosses, including Yama, coming to Old School RuneScape this spring, followed by the Delve boss, the Doom of Mokhaiotl. Later this summer, prepare to travel to the wilder reaches of Auburnvale, Custodia Pass, and the Tlati Rainforest as Varlamore: The Final Dawn comes to Old School RuneScape with all-new quests for players to sink their teeth into.
Also this summer, Old School RuneScape’s long-awaited HD Mode will revamp the classic MMO with enhanced graphical features, while retaining OSRS’s iconic visual identity. Arriving as a completely optional new mode, and with visuals optimised for a range of devices, experience Old School RuneScape in an all-new light when HD Mode launches later this year.
Project Zanaris Playtest Sign-Ups Now Open
Jagex announced that playtest sign-ups for Project Zanaris, the highly-requested and eagerly-anticipated community world program that lets players tweak and modify their own worlds, set their own rules, and create entirely new ways to play and experience Old School RuneScape, are now open. Players can sign up to register their interest in participating in the Project Zanaris playtests here or via the Old School RuneScape Discord, with the first wave of closed tests looking to start in April.
RuneScape – RuneScape Leagues, Havenhythe Expansion & Exciting New Content
Revealed during the RuneScape Ahead keynote, Jagex announced that RuneScape Leagues, the fan-favourite game mode first introduced in Old School RuneScape, is coming to RuneScape. Arriving later this year, Leagues is a limited-time game mode where players start again from the beginning experiencing accelerated XP and rare drop rates, travelling through the land they’ll discover tasks to complete which unlock overpowered new items and passives to really change how you play the game.
Coming to RuneScape in early 2026, Havenhythe introduces a new area expansion, featuring new locations, bosses, skilling activities, and a new storyline as players take the fight to the Vampyres. Located on the East of Morytania, Havenhythe is a mysterious and isolated land, filled with lost history, bountiful resources, and multiple biomes that players will get to explore in a series of new quests throughout 2026. Uncover ancient mysteries and face a new threat feared by Gielinor’s most lethal predators in a grand adventure set across a new land, and level up your Hunter skill beyond 99 with the Hunter 110 update, introduced with Havenhythe. And, as the Havenhythe story enters its second year in 2027, prepare to journey into one of the most dangerous places in the RuneScape universe: Vampyrium.
Arriving later this year, Jagex confirmed that Pharaoh’s Folly, the second part of the Return to the Desert trilogy of quests, will release 7 April, followed by the launch of the final chapter Eclipse of the Heart on 28 July. Look forward to the epic conclusion to this 24 year-old storyline with new rewards and a monumental showdown with the goddess of destruction herself, Amascut, a new group battle designed to challenge up to five players with multiple difficulty modes.
110 Runecrafting also launches in RuneScape today alongside a brand-new rune, the Time Rune, while the launch of 110 Crafting in June will let players get their hands on new craftable high-tier Mage armour. In May, new augmentable tools will let players train Invention through Runecrafting and Thieving and discover new components to create new skilling perks for skills like Mining, Archaeology and more.
Golden Gnomes Awards celebrates RuneScape & Old School RuneScape’s community heroes
The much-loved Golden Gnomes Awards returned at RuneFest 2025 to celebrate RuneScape and Old School RuneScape’s incredible community of players, featuring 26 awards that recognised the efforts of content creators, community contributors and cosplayers. Earning the ultimate two awards, Crystal was presented with the RuneScape Creators Choice award, alongside SoloMission as OSRS Creators Choice, commemorating them both as superstars of the RuneScape community.
Beatstar x Old School RuneScape
Jagex announced that it had partnered with Beatstar to bring Amascut’s Promise (Remix) to the hit mobile music rhythm game. Available today, this exciting collaboration marks the very first song from a video game soundtrack appearing in Beatstar as a playable track, letting players experience this fan-favourite Old School RuneScape track in a whole new way.
RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.Old School RuneScape is available now on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, complete with cross-platform progression and play on PC and mobile.
About Jagex
A leader in creating deep and engaging forever games that empower our communities across PC, mobile and consoles. Jagex’s flagship MMORPG, RuneScape, has welcomed over 300 million player accounts to its world and is a $1billion + lifetime revenue franchise. Today the RuneScape franchise exists beyond live operations; our titles are forever games that connect and inspire millions of players, with content and experiences both inside and outside of inexhaustible game worlds. Both RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, on PC and mobile, offer ever-evolving, highly active worlds and our community-focussed development ethos empowers players to have a real say in how each game is shaped.
In 2022, Jagex expanded with the acquisitions of PipeWorks and Gamepires, bringing its expertise in building forever games to SCUM, a multi-million selling open-world survival title in Steam Early Access & other unannounced titles. Jagex employs more than 600 people globally, and is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Enhanced version of classic action adventure that defined the ZX Spectrum coming to PC on March 6th
London, U.K. – March 3rd, 2025 – SpecNext is pleased to announce that its enhanced version of iconic 80s classic, Head Over Heels: Deluxe, is due to release on PC on March 6th and will be coming to Nintendo Switch later this year. Originally released on the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC in 1987 and renowned as one of the era’s most iconic titles, Head Over Heels was given a new lease of life by SpecNext with an enhanced remake created for the ZX Spectrum Next in 2024, winning rave reviews from the likes of Crash (94%) and Retro Gamer (90%). With this enhanced version now debuting on PC and Switch, SpecNext is making the game accessible to the millions of players that played it across various systems in the 80s.
Join the eccentric duo of Headus Mouthion (Head) and Footus Underium (Heels) – two halves of a whole who have been separated and imprisoned by the tyrannical Emperor. Each character possesses unique abilities to master and combine: Head’s remarkable jumping prowess and handy headshots pave the way over daunting obstacles, while Heels’ speed, carrying power, and snappy waddle keep the team nimble and resourceful. Reunite them to unlock even more powerful moves as you traverse fantastical worlds full of bizarre enemies, smart puzzles and secret passages waiting to be uncovered.
This faithful (and fresh!) remake elevates everything fans love about the original classic. Soak in beautifully updated isometric levels, re-engineered controls that feel snappy and precise, and a brand-new soundtrack that perfectly captures the whimsical — and sometimes devious – nature of the puzzle realms. For retro purists, optional “classic mode” graphics and sound settings are on hand to recreate that authentic 8-bit nostalgia, while newcomers will appreciate upgrades such as improved save systems, helpful hints, and quality-of-life updates that never compromise the game’s classic challenge.
“Head Over Heels is one of the most loved and awarded games from the 80s, and its fiendish gameplay still holds true today,” said Henrique Olifiers, Director at SpecNext. “If you are looking for a game challenge with soul, this is the game for you.”
Key Features
Over 500 majestic locations
Multiple save points (trust us, you’ll need them)
Wonderful music throughout by Space Fractal
Chickens! (Yes, these weren’t in the original… Blame Mike ‘Flash’ Ware for them)
A complete new area (because more is better)
New enemies and objects (there’s a new area after all)
SpecNext was born as a project to keep the ZX Spectrum alive, realised through the creation and release of the ZX Spectrum Next computer. The studio also backed remakes of classic ZX Spectrum games for the Spectrum Next, which it is now bringing to modern platforms such as PC Steam and Nintendo Switch.
PlayStation Australia is excited to announce the new LEGO Horizon Adventures Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth LEGO playset is out now.
Watch the behind the scenes video below or read more on the PlayStation Blog to see how it all came together!
This 768-piece set allows LEGO fans to recreate the iconic adventures of Aloy and her loyal ally Varl. Armed with their trusty bow and spear capable of producing fire, shock or chill attacks, join the duo’s battle in jungle surroundings against two fully jointed machines, Shell-Walker and Sawtooth.
The Shell-Walker has posable legs and arms, opening claws and a detachable cargo pod and energy shield, while the fully articulated Sawtooth has opening jaws, a swivelling torso and a posable neck, head and legs. The Sawtooth machine measures over 18 cm high, 12 cm long and 8 cm wide.
The Aloy & Varl vs. Shell-Walker & Sawtooth set (RRP $69.99 AUD) is available at LEGO.com and selected retailers. We hope you continue to enjoy LEGO Horizon Adventures — out now across PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch™.
Shinobi Sasuke Uchiha (Young Ver. Final Battle) joins the battle in NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER as the newest playable character. Players gets to incarnate one of the last survivors of the Uchiha’s clan, the cold and determined Sasuke, with this Special Master-Ninjutsu Training Vol.43! Sasuke’s Ninjutsu and secret technique, the Cursemark Second State, is also a real advantage against the players’ opponents.
Watch the new trailer: NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER – Sasuke Uchiha (Young Ver. Final Battle) DLC Trailer
The DLC also brings avatar parts such as two costumes (Sasuke Outfit Childhood Ver. and Sasuke Outfit Back in Time Ver. for both male and female), an eyepatch, a hairstyle and an honorary title (‘The Vengeful’).
Moreover, the Sasuke Uchiha Starter Pack is available as well starting today and includes:
Ten Moonlight Scrolls,
Three sets of DLCs:
DLC14 Sasuke Uchiha (BORUTO),
DLC27 Sasuke Uchiha (Last Battle),
DLC43 Sasuke Uchiha (Young Ver. Final Battle),
Three types of Top Secret Training DLCs.
Watch now the new trailer for the DLC43: LINK
NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER has now been released more than six years ago! To thank players for their support, a campaign full of surprises started yesterday and will end on March 27th, during which they can expect Battle Events, Bonuses, Emergency Special Missions and more!
NARUTO TO BORUTO: SHINOBI STRIKER is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, with a LITE version available for free to discover the game.
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT – DAIMA – ADVENTURE THROUGH THE DEMON REALM PACK is available today and brings enhancement items that can be used in the base game. This pack also includes the upcoming DAIMA two-part series of DLC, with the first part coming this summer.
This DLC Pack will allow players to experience the world of the new Dragon Ball DAIMA anime series. In the DAIMA story, Goku and his friends have been transformed into children to make them weaker as a new Demon Realm King sets his scheme in motion. Goku and his friends must travel to the Demon Realm and return to normal thanks to the native Dragon Balls of this new world.
The DLCwill bring players on an adventure into a whole new world they will get to explore recreating the Third Demon Realm, including the floating islands and mysterious Skyseed plants that dot the land. Incarnating Goku, and helped by Supreme Kai, Glorio and Panzy, they will be immersed in this thrilling new journey and relive the DAIMA story! Goku’s friends will help throughout the adventures with their support skills and Z combo. Players can also expect a new battle experience thanks to the introduction of elements unique to the DLC such as the Power Pole or the new form of Goku (mini) Super Saiyan.
Discover this exciting upcoming DLC in a new trailer
DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.
You never quite know where RGG Studio is going to go next. In the past year and a half we’ve seen everything from a Yakuza series veteran turn into a secret agent to bringing Like a Dragon‘s Ichiban all the way to Hawaii for a new start in a brand new location for the franchise. Now, for the third game in that time fans get to return but this time it happens to be with fan favorite Goro Majima as the Mad Dog of Shimano cuts through the crystal-clear waters of the Hawaiian islands as a pirate in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Serving as both a spin-off and something of a continuation to the end of Infinite Wealth, how does this game continue the franchise all while telling its own crazy tale in a way only Majima can.
Story
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s story picks up six months after the events of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and while it isn’t necessarily required to have played through the entirety of that game, it is recommended to at least have completed most of the main storyline and substories to get the most out of this entry as there are numerous references, character appearances, and even proper conclusions to plot threads that were left hanging in that entry. In that time, no one appears to know what Goro Majima has been up to and even he himself has no idea as he washes ashore a small tropical island with only his pants, eyepatch, and infamous dagger. This amnesiac man doesn’t remember who he is, how he got there, or even the origins of his tattoos but with the help of a young boy named Noah he manages to get back onto his feet, only to find that he’s now stranded with no one else willing to help thanks to a bunch of rowdy pirates laying claim to the island and Noah’s father long giving up the sailing life.
Not one to stay still long despite his amnesia, Majima manages to not only take out the local pirate crew but commandeer their ship as well, becoming a pirate captain to a small crew including Noah and his father as they set out for Honolulu in an effort to not only track down the mysteries behind who he actually is, but even learn more about a mysterious long lost treasure that might contain a cure for Noah’s respiratory illness and all manners of priceless treasures.Along the way they’ll meet quite a few familiar faces, a few even from Majima’s past, take part in large scale ship battles in the coliseum inside Madlantis, a paradise for unlawful pirates to reside all headed by a queen and king that rule the ocean’s underbelly, and of course take part in plenty of randomly hilarious and off the wall side-quests along the way in a more streamlined and trimmed down narrative fit for a spin-off.
Besides having Majima as an amnesiac pirate throughout Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuzain Hawaii, perhaps the most surprising aspect of the storyline is how straightforward and relatively simple it is at its heart. The core storyline of building up a pirate crew to track down a treasure is surprisingly simple without the usual twists and turns that fans have come to expect from the franchise, even in a spin-off game. Sure, there is a bit of backstabbing going on as one would expect in seas filled with pirates, but it takes a fairly long time to actually develop to that point. In fact, it isn’t until the game’s last couple of chapters that the plot significantly ramps up the stakes and by then it is almost too late, with the primary villains at that point being too thinly developed to feel well-written and the earlier antagonists simply being annoying with how tenacious they were, like a wharf roach that won’t disappear. That being said, it is nice to note that this entry does wrap up a few elements of Infinite Wealth that were left hanging and unresolved, though we won’t say which for obvious spoiler reasons.
What is quite interesting here in Pirate Yakuzain Hawaii is the different way players can see Goro Majima as a character. The Mad Dog of Shimano has always had a manic and sadistic streak that masked his cunning mind and battle-hardened heart that still cared for those in trouble, but now with amnesia players are able to see the warmth of the man, when he isn’t threatening to cut off a finger or slice apart someone that’s threatening him and his crew as you can take away his memories, but Majima’s sinister side still remains. It is through his interactions with Noah and his family as well as other characters through substories that players see these interesting aspects of his personality, even if they may not be quite as explored as fans might like, especially when a set of familiar faces appear as close allies near the end as their interactions are sadly mostly kept to sailing conversations “drink links” that make their return.
As for the substories, as mentioned before they are as wacky and all over the place as before. Sure, some may be as simple as talking to a few characters or getting some “friends” on the returning Aloha Links or cross-dressing to adopt a cat but many others are quite a bit more in-depth. Some of these even include elements that see characters and side events return from not only Infinite Wealth but Like a Dragon as well, bringing some extra tidbits and closure to continuing substories. In fact, there are two sets in particular that stand out thanks to their length and level of detail. One happens to involve helping out and befriending a number of girls for them to take part in a hilariously awkward live action bachelor-esque set of dating videos with a crew member, who all join Majima’s crew themselves afterwards, and another is an entire string of quests that involves hunting down notorious “Devil Flags” that sees players battling on ship, islands, and the sea in side-quest exclusive locations with satisfying encounters and storylines as well as rewards that are so powerful it is shocking they could be completely avoided should players wish.
Gameplay
Just like their last spin-off game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes a trip back to RGG Studio’s past and delivers a fast-paced action game, even faster than before considering how quickly Majima moves now in combat. For the most part, many elements of the title remain the same as Infinite Wealth, with Honolulu being almost identical in design and shop layout with the only new explorable locations being Madlantis and Rich Island though new and returning activities populate all of these locations. It is also interesting to note that Majima acquires new skills by “investing” in himself like the classic Yakuza 0 where money and even crew fame is spent to unlock additional moves for his combat styles and increase various other buffs such as extra health and attack.
As players roam around and encounter thugs on any of the explorable locations or enter an island that they have to battle on, they’ll enter a fight where they will initially have access only to Majima’s signature Mad Dog fighting style. Mad Dog style is as quick moving and powerful as ever, allowing players to quickly string together chains of punches and knife slashes all while ducking and dodging to avoid attacks. Should his Madness gauge fill, Majima in Mad Dog style can even summon doppelgangers of himself to really lay into enemies, with his clones dealing out just as much damage as he does. Interestingly enough, Mad Dog style is also where a brand new element to the game’s combat has been added and that is the ability to actually jump for the first time ever in the franchise. Not only that, Mad Dog even sees some combos and charged attacks ending in launchers that will send opponents flying with Majima jumping up to deal extra damage. Players can jump and attack or even jump and dodge to avoid a troublesome attack and this can be done in both fighting styles.
Not too long after becoming a proper pirate Majima will also gain access to Sea Dog style. It is interesting to note that players can swap between combat styles at any time during a fight but his initial fighting style will vary depending on location. On Madlantis, an enemy pirate ship or island? Sea Dog. Exploring Honolulu? Mad Dog. Either way, Sea Dog style starts out rather basic as Majima will wield two sabers and only feature a small kit of attacks beyond his combo moves but as players progress through the story they will obtain various extra tools that will be added to Sea Dog’s repertoire. This includes a powerful flintlock pistol that can be used to take out enemies at a distance or charge up for more damage and eventually a grappling hook (that can also be used to reach treasure chests and fortunes stashed on rooftops or at a distance in Honolulu, that can help Majima zip around the battlefield and chase down foes that prefer to fight at a distance with guns or during large scale scraps which we will discuss later. The odd part of Sea Dog style comes with the aforementioned completely optional subplot involving the Devil Flags.
Unlike Mad Dog style, using Majima’s Madness gauge in Sea Dog style requires players to obtain an “instrument of the dark gods” which can only be obtained by progressing and completing various parts of the Devil Flags substories. There are four different instruments to obtain and each will summon a powerful beast to assist in combat for a short while, such as summoning sharks from the ground to tear away at enemies. The whole odd part is, should players not take part in this subplot at all or avoid it for a while, they’ll be completely missing out on these abilities, making it incredibly strange that they were relegated as a side-activity, especially with how powerful some of them are.
This all combines to make an incredibly fast and frenetic combat system that feels both satisfying and a bit like a power trip as powering up Majima’s abilities, strengthening his attack, and equipping rings on his fingers (the only form of personal equipment in the game) that provide various stat boosts, can turn him into a walking maelstrom of death regardless of the style he uses. That is of course unless the enemy loves using bombs, then players are a bit out of luck as they’ll almost always send him flying even if they come from friendly fire, but once again, more on that in a bit.
Now onto the biggest and most unique element of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and that is being an actual pirate. Players will sail the seas and while the maps aren’t open world, they are split into various smaller locations where players can use fuel boosts to move quickly or travel using the winds to keep their max speed up. Anytime they find a lighthouse, that lighthouse can then be used as a fast travel point and anytime players encounter enemy ships, be they out in the open ocean or story related, they’ll enter ship to ship combat There is a certain arcade style feeling to ship battles as players can make use of their machineguns to fire straight ahead, or lining up an enemy ship with your port or starboard cannons and letting them rip. Majima himself can even let go of the wheel to fire a rocket at an enemy ship to deal damage if needed, though we only ever did this enough to get the achievement, otherwise it felt mostly useless compared to using the ship’s own weaponry. In battles players can also ram the enemy ship’s sides to deal damage and inflict various status ailments though they can suffer from them as well, catching on fire, freezing, or even becoming poisoned and these can only be remedied by leaving the wheel to repair the ship. Oddly enough, repairing the ship in general can be done with a simple press of the button though players will be unable to attack while repairs are being made.
Once again players are rewarded for “investing” in the Goromaru ship that they call home. Using money to purchase various upgrades such as increased health, an additional cannon for each side, more fuel tanks for boosts, etc. Unfortunately the upgrades here are shockingly limited. There is no way to increase the Goromaru’s overall cruising speed or even unlock extra cannon slots for the ship which should obviously be able to hold more than allotted, especially given the ship size. As for the weapons themselves, cannons and firearms can be purchased either directly from the customization menu or obtained through the familiar Julie who can use materials players have gathered out on the seas and during exploration to craft special weapons for use on the ship. Ironically, this can mean that players can find themselves decked out with max level laser cannons on both sides of the ship, fully upgraded freeze machine guns, and even a max health ship before they even get out of chapter two if they focus heavily on side activities and events that open up wildly as players advance through the game.
Now as mentioned before, players will find that there is plenty to do on Honolulu and Madlantis and most of these activities remain the same as Infinite Wealth such as Photo Ops, Darts, Pool, Shogi, etc. or make a return such as Dragon Karts, or in the case of changing baseball to hitting cannonballs at exploding barrels, and completing these minigames or partaking in them can often reward players lucratively or even unlock crew members for the ship. Yes, there are over a hundred characters easily that players can obtain as part of their crew and each one has different stats and fighting styles that will vary depending on where they are assigned on your ship. Ironically, some of this strength just comes down to rarity, as higher rarity characters have max levels of 40 while standard characters can cap off at 20, making even a favorite useless in the long run. It is also interesting to note that while players can crew their ship with various canoneers and a first mate, their contributing factor to how strong their cannon damage will be and how well the ship can repair is determined by their stats. Similarly, players can unlock up to four raiding parties that will join them in battles against an enemy crew once they board the ship, with some raiders having special squad skills that provide unique bonuses and special skills they can unleash during fights. These characters come from all over the place, ranging from Kei from the bar to allies obtained from substories and many more. Giving players a real feel for creating their favorite crew as long as they can survive some of the tougher battles players can throw at them, including mass scale battles that can see the player’s entire assigned crew battling alongside Majima against a hundred foes at a time in a truly spectacular looking brawl.
Those looking to truly test their skills will find the Madlantis coliseum the real challenge for the game. These fights all take on various forms, including simply taking down a boss ship, boarding it, and eliminating the crew, starting out right from boarding and fighting a crew in a tournament of sorts, and even fighting the aforementioned large scale fights as well. These are some of the most rewarding but also toughest ship battles in the entire game and it is entirely possible to get overwhelmed should players try out certain challenges too early. That being said, there is some irony to becoming the “champion” of the Madlantis coliseum only to have a single mission require Majima and the crew to win against a simple ship despite the fact that they’ve already proven themselves as champions.
Audio & Visuals
Since Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii uses almost the entirety of the Honolulu location fans of the franchise will mostly be experiencing the same locations again only with Majima at the controls, though this time some different enemies are moving around and fights happen in quick action packed bouts rather than turn-based affairs. The main new locations happen to be Rich Island, a small and simple tropical island and Madlantis, an absolutely grimy and gorgeous looking pirate paradise that is nicely designed. Sailing on the waves is also portrayed quite nicely with players occasionally having to deal with waterspouts, lightning, and whirlpools. Majima has a wide array of pirate outfits and normal clothes to wear, including some oddball items as well and even the ship, the Goromaru, can be heavily customized with cosmetics. Similarly, the crew that Majima can recruit for the ship come in all different forms. If it was a side-character in some form in Infinite Wealth there is a good chance they’ll be recruitable here too, including Revolve’s bartenders. It is rather unfortunate that the islands that players explore when hunting treasure are incredibly simplistic and bland to the point that they quickly become repetitive.
Sega has continued their latest tradition of providing an English dub to accompany the Japanese voice track originally produced for the game and it is nice to note that the English voice work is handled quite well here. Even Majima’s signature laugh is captured to some small degree, though not quite as severe and wonderful as it might be in his Japanese dubbing so those who prefer that option may wish to use that voice track instead. As far as the soundtrack goes, there is a solid collection of its own background music, including a musical number even, as well as countless songs that players can obtain in the game to put together their own background music playlist from classic and recent Sega titles, including a song from Metaphor ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload, and Persona 5 Tactica.
Overall
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii proves itself as a more than satisfying spin-off of the main storyline while also maintaining just enough connections and references to the core plot of the franchise to make it a vital, albeit completely different, entry for fans of the franchise to check out even if it does see a bit too much reuse and generic elements at times. Seeing Goro Majima of all people taking care of a kid and raising a crew of swashbucklers is something the Mad Dog may never have done before but watching it happen throughout this story is an enjoyable one, even if it is a bit too basic and short for its own good. Thankfully a plethora of side-content that shockingly hides some vital elements behind it and some amazing action combat make Majima’s first solo adventure in some time more than worth your while.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Iconic cover stars Tiger Woods, Max Homa, and Matt Fitzpatrick, updated graphics, gameplay, and customisation features offer the ultimate “Next Round, Best Round” experience
Sydney, Australia – February 29, 2025 – Today, 2K announced that PGA TOUR® 2K25, the newest entry in the golf simulation franchise from HB Studios, is now available worldwide on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, and PC via Steam. Players can step onto the tee box and take their best shot at golf glory with several franchise advancements, including upgraded graphics and the addition of new EvoSwing mechanics, which offer a host of new shot types, ball flights, roll physics, and visual improvements. The new Perfect Swing difficulty setting offers beginner players a more forgiving intuitive experience and veteran players a more relaxing round. The most immersive and customisable PGA TOUR 2K MyPLAYER and MyCAREER* experience to date offers a diverse suite of customisation options, while the franchise’s signature Course Designer offers new tools to allow players more freedom to create their dream courses and share them with the global community.
“We’ve reached a major milestone in the evolution of the franchise with PGA TOUR 2K25,” said Dennis Ceccarelli, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports at 2K. “From the moment players step onto the digital tee box, they’ll feel the difference – whether it’s the precision of EvoSwing, the ease of Perfect Swing or the depth of our all-new progression systems. With enhanced realism, refined gameplay and three Major Championships, PGA TOUR 2K25 delivers the most immersive and rewarding golf experience ever made.”
PGA TOUR 2K25 features an array of new features and improvements on existing fan-favourites:
EvoSwing: Realism is dialed up with the all-new EvoSwing mechanic for both Swing Stick and 3-Click Swing. Whether a player is new to the franchise or a seasoned veteran, EvoSwing complements the player’s own rhythm and dexterity to better simulate the feeling of swinging a golf club when using Swing Stick. While with 3-Click Swing, players can enjoy the enhanced simulation while using visual cues to hit their shot;
Perfect Swing: Delivering the most accessible and intuitive golf experience, players can try out the all-new Perfect Swing experience, which ensures perfect contact with every swing. New players can get their bearings with club choice, shot types, lie, wind and various other inputs without worrying about immediately finding their “perfect swing.” Perfect Swing is also great for veteran players who simply wish to enjoy a relaxing experience before jumping back into more competitive modes;
Make History in Major Championships: For the first time in franchise history, PGA TOUR 2K25players can prove themselves on some of golf’s grandest stages and become a legend of the game by conquering three Majors – the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, and The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club – marking the franchise debut for all three iconic venues.
Licensed Courses and Topgolf: 27 licensed courses and events are available at launch, including PGA TOUR tournaments such as the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, and THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The familiar Topgolf experience returns while also adding a range of quests for players to complete. Not to be outdone, the Home of Golf comes to PGA TOUR 2K25 in Season 2 with The Old Course at St. Andrews Links ready for play shortly after launch;
Play as the Pros: In addition to leaderboards stacked with 200+ big names across the PGA TOUR landscape, PGA TOUR 2K25 players can take control of a roster of 11 featured male and female pros at launch, including Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Lydia Ko, Tom Kim, Brooke Henderson, and more. Also, “The World’s Greatest Golfer” Chris McDonald** joins the field to teach the pros a thing or two about the sport;
MyPLAYER, Your Way: The most diverse suite of MyPLAYER creation tools yet allows players to represent themselves in the most authentic way on the course. MyPLAYER progression also comes with an updated Attributes Points system, new Skill Trees per on-course discipline, and an all-new Equipment Progression system. Players can still choose from five archetypes: Powerhouse, Technician, Magician, Greenskeeper, and Sculptor, to match their preferred play style. Apparel options are available from licensed brands, including adidas, FootJoy, Malbon Golf, and more***. Clubs and balls from brands including Callaway, COBRA, Mizuno, PUMA, and Titleist can deck out players’ golf bags and keep them swinging in style;
A More Dialed-In MyCAREER Mode: PGA TOUR 2K25 offers the franchise’s most immersive and customisable MyCAREER experience yet. Players can show off their personality and resilience with more choices to make and challenges to take on than ever before. The option to dynamically simulate MyCAREER rounds or play through extra gameplay moments has been added with all-new training and pre-tournament events making the MyCAREER journey one every player can take at their own pace;
Seasons & Clubhouse Pass: Seasons are back in PGA TOUR 2K25 with more on offer than ever before. Each Season includes an all-new Clubhouse Pass**** that remains available to purchase and progress through even when a new one is released, plus seasonal power increases for equipment progression, ranked leaderboard resets, and more. Fresh content will also be coming daily, weekly, and monthly. Regular Pro Shop drops, as well as updates to events, challenges, and Quests will keep the game fresh and exciting for new and existing players alike. The Clubhouse Pass now includes 100 tiers of new rewards with 34 tiers containing free rewards available for all PGA TOUR 2K25 players to earn, including club fittings, evo tools, Level-Up tokens, equipment, apparel and more. Players have the opportunity to earn rewards at every tier by purchasing the Clubhouse Pass Premium for each season or by purchasing the Member’s Pass, included in the PGA TOUR 2K25 Legend Edition, which unlocks Clubhouse Pass Premium for Seasons 1-5 and also includes the Clubhouse Gear Pack, which contains 1 outfit per body type, per Season, delivered at the start of each Season;
Tee It Up with or Against Friends: Players can fire up the friendly competition with a robust variety of multiplayer offerings with different match formats, including Stroke Play, Match Play, or Scramble, with or against each other, online or locally. New Ranked Tours offer daily and weekly tournaments for players to earn rewards each season and climb the rankings ladder. New cross-platform Societies encourage players to challenge friends no matter which platform they prefer;
Unleash Your Inner Course Architect: The PGA TOUR 2K signature Course Designer offers new tools, surfaces, and items to create even more intricate courses, faster than ever before. Plus, new camera systems let designers show off their custom courses in all their beauty. Designers can publish, share, and play created courses, making them available for the entire community to experience.
PGA TOUR 2K25 Editions
PGA TOUR 2K25 Standard Edition:
Physical and digital versions for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5 consoles, as well as the digital-only version for PC, include the base game.
PGA TOUR 2K25 Deluxe Edition (available in digital format only):
Available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®5, and PC, includes the base game, as well as the Extra Butter x adidas Pack, the Birdie Pack, and the Starter Pack;
The Extra Butter x adidas Pack includes playable character Chris McDonald, Extra Butter x adidas Hat, Extra Butter x adidas Jacket, and Extra Butter x adidas Shoes;
The Birdie Pack includes a Titleist GT4 Driver, Titleist Golf Ball Cosmetic, Footjoy Premiere Series Shoes, Umbrella Hat, and 3 Golf Ball Fittings;
The Starter Pack includes 1,800 VC (Virtual Currency), one Evo Tool, three Ball Fittings, five Club Fittings, and 5 Level-Up Tokens.
PGA TOUR 2K25 Legend Edition (available in digital format only):
Includes all the contents of the Standard and Deluxe Edition for the purchased platform;
Includes the Member’s Pass – which unlocks the Clubhouse Pass Premium for the first five Seasons, and the Clubhouse Gear Pack, which contains 1 outfit per body type per Season delivered at the start of each Season;
Includes the Malbon Bucket Ball Pack – with three Malbon cosmetics balls;
Includes the Sun Day Red Pack – which includes the Red 3 Button Polo, Black Ballcap, Black Pants, White Gloves, and TaylorMade Driver Qi10.
For more information on PGA TOUR 2K25, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, subscribe on YouTube, follow the game on X, Instagram, and TikTok, and use the hashtag #PGATOUR2K25.
*PGA TOUR 2K25, Internet connection and 2K Account (minimum age varies) required to access online features, including MyCAREER. See www.take2games.com/legal and www.take2games.com/privacy for additional details. 2K Accounts are free.
**Playable character Chris McDonald requires Extra Butter x adidas Pack. Extra Butter x adidas Pack included within PGA TOUR 2K25 Deluxe and Legend Editions. Terms apply.
***Some cosmetic items and consumables may require unlocking with virtual currency (earned or paid) or via gameplay.
****Clubhouse Pass rewards require unlocking with gameplay. Clubhouse Pass Premium is available for separate purchase. Paid Premium Passes unlock additional rewards for the Season through gameplay. For more information on Clubhouse Pass, and Premium Pass offerings, go to pgatour.2k.com/2k25/clubhouse/
HB Studios is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
About 2K
Founded in 2005, 2K develops and publishes interactive entertainment for video game consoles, personal computers, and mobile devices, with product availability including physical retail and digital download. The Company is home to many talented development studios, including 31st Union, Cat Daddy Games, Cloud Chamber, Firaxis Games, Gearbox Software, Hangar 13, HB Studios, and Visual Concepts. 2K’s portfolio currently includes several AAA, sports, and entertainment brands, including global powerhouse NBA® 2K; renowned BioShock®, Borderlands®, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization® and XCOM® brands; popular WWE® 2K and WWE® SuperCard franchises, TopSpin® as well as the critically and commercially acclaimed PGA TOUR® 2K. Additional information about 2K and its products may be found at 2K.com and on the Company’s official social media channels.
2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a leading developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment for consumers around the globe. We develop and publish products principally through Rockstar Games, 2K, and Zynga. Our products are designed for console gaming systems, PC, and mobile, including smartphones and tablets. We deliver our products through physical retail, digital download, online platforms, and cloud streaming services. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
The statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, including statements relating to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.’s (“Take-Two,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or similar pronouns) outlook, are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for our future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including risks relating to our combination with Zynga Inc.; the risks of conducting business internationally, including as a result of unforeseen geopolitical events; the impact of changes in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and other central banks, including on our short-term investment portfolio; the impact of inflation; volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; our dependence on key management and product development personnel; our dependence on our NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles; our ability to leverage opportunities on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S; factors affecting our mobile business, such as player acquisition costs; the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games; and the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games.
Other important factors and information are contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks summarized in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” the Company’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Company’s other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Take a peek at intense diesel-punk action with the open-world multiplayer shooter’s new trailer!
SEATTLE – Feb. 28, 2025 – Publisher tinyBuild and indie developers Hologryph and TowerHaus are thrilled to announce that SAND, the action-packed, mech-fueled, multiplayer action game, will launch onto Steam Early Access on April 3, 2025! Trek across vast open-world dunes in groups of up to six players, customize your mech fortress, and battle against other iron beasts and their crews to claim your fortune.
SAND is set in an alternate-history, diesel-punk world – the ruined planet Sophie – where an ecological disaster has evaporated the oceans. All that’s left are humans and their Trampler mechs, titanic mechanical moving structures that can traverse Sophie’s sprawling wasteland. Working alone or in teams, humanity now scours Sophie’s sprawling deserts, scavenging for hidden riches and fighting to keep them.
Players got a taste of SAND’s unforgiving terrain and intense gameplay with a demo that was ranked among the top 10 most played in Steam Next Fest last year, as well as a highly successful open playtest that attracted over 200K testers. Early access will introduce loads of improvements along with continued development to keep players coming back to Sophie.
Early Access Features
New cities, points of interest and way more loot
Undead NPCs that roam cities and engage in combat with players
New environmental hazards such as minefields
Revamped controls for Tramplers
New Trampler customization options, including new compartments and a new chassis option
New gameplay content and features will be added throughout early access in regular updates, and a development roadmap will be available at launch detailing what to expect from the future of SAND.
To learn more about SAND, visit the game’s website.
About TowerHaus
TowerHaus is a game development and outsourcing studio based in Kyiv, Ukraine. It was founded in 2013 as Velcro Games and rebranded on August 3, 2023. They are co-developers of SAND and worked next to Hologryph on Secret Neighbor.
About Hologryph
Hologryph is a studio based in Lviv, Ukraine. They have worked closely with tinyBuild to expand on and develop the publisher’s flagship franchises. With successful titles released in the Party Hard and Hello Neighbor series, their most recent game was the asymmetric multiplayer hit Secret Neighbor.
About tinyBuild
tinyBuild started as an indie game developer and morphed into a developer-publisher you can’t miss. The company’s dedication to creating long-term partnerships and elevating recognizable franchises has resulted in many successful collaborations with talented developers from all over the world. The company has released dozens of games, including the Hello Neighbor series, Graveyard Keeper, SpeedRunners, DUCKSIDE, and more. Although headquartered in the Seattle Area, USA, the company has established a strong global presence with studios across the U.S., Netherlands, and Eastern Europe.
