Prepare to embark on a magical journey of friendship, imagination, and song as the Kickstarter campaign for Echoes of the Unread, a brand new adventure for the NES, is now live.
Developed by Clever Cat Games and published by Mega Cat Studios, Echoes of the Unread puts players in the shoes of Rhapsody, a young girl who, after falling asleep while studying in the library, awakens to a strange world where the books have come to life and her voice has the power to shape the world around her with song.
To find her way back home, Rhapsody must step into the pages of these tales and explore a variety of imaginative realms where they’ll befriend a cowboy, serenade a mermaid, outsmart a mischievous ghost, and sing mystical melodies to escape the clutches of the wicked magician Odele, who hopes to keep her trapped in the library forever.
To celebrate the Kickstarter’s launch, Mega Cat Studios has released a new trailer for the game. This exciting new footage offers a tantalizing look at the various worlds Rhapsody will explore, Odele’s menacing minions she’ll encounter, and the colorful cast of characters she’ll befriend over the course of her enchanted adventure.
Key Features:
Sing to solve puzzles, battle foes, and uncover secrets
Journey through whimsical worlds inspired by book genres
Unlock magical abilities that will aid you in your quest
Befriend quirky characters and shape your own story
Test your skills in a challenging retro mode
Backers can get their hands on a wide selection of enchanted rewards. These range from all-digital bundles featuring the game, art book, OST, and more to the Hidden Book Edition, which comes filled to the brim with a treasure trove of physical goodies, including the Limited Edition CIB game, poster, vinyl soundtrack, art book, shadow box art, decorative bookends, and so much more.
About Mega Cat Studios
Proudly based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mega Cat Studios has a passion for creating unforgettable retro experiences for your favorite classic consoles.
London, United Kingdom – 20th May 2025 – The excitement reached new heights as young primary school footballers from across the nation came together at Stoke City Stadium for the finals of the 2025/26 Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup. After a spectacular season that saw over 50,000 children from primary schools take part, the winners were crowned National Champions and lifted the trophy whilst cheered on by Pikachu.
Now in its third year, the multi-year partnership between the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) and The Pokémon Company International continues to flourish—and this season the tournament wasn’t just about competition—it was about community, teamwork, and friendship. Players showed off their impressive football skills, grew closer with their teammates, and made countless memories along the way.
The 2025/26 National Finals winners are:
U11 Schools’ Cup Champions: Wolfson Hillel Primary School
U11 Girls’ Cup Champions: Valley Gardens Middle School
U11 Small Schools’ Cup Champions: Kelsall Community Primary School
“The energy at this year’s Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup Finals was nothing short of inspiring. From the first whistle to the final celebration, these young players brought heart, determination, and incredible talent to the pitch. It’s moments like these—where teamwork, joy, and community come together. Congratulations to everyone who took part this season,” said Peter Murphy, Senior Director of Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. “We’re proud to continue our work with the ESFA, helping to create spaces where children can thrive, connect, and fall in love with the beautiful game.”
Nick Loftus, ESFA Chair said, “It has been a great pleasure for me to be involved with the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup from its origins in the district round, to the County round, Regional finals and now today the National finals. To see football played by boys and girls in our primary schools in such a good spirited way has been incredible, the attitude of the players in the primary schools’ cup competitions that I’ve had the privilege of watching this season has been exemplary. Pupils have played with smiles on their faces and clearly enjoyed the whole experience. On behalf of the ESFA I would like to congratulate the three winners from today’s final and thank all of the schools that took part in the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup competitions this season and I hope each and every player has been inspired to continue on their footballing journey as they head towards the new school year”.
The U11 Schools’ Cup, U11 Girls’ Cup and U11 Small Schools’ Cup competitions provide a pathway for teams to progress through three rounds of competition, culminating in the National Finals.
The Pokémon Company International is on a mission to delight their fans through excellent products and meaningful experiences. Through initiatives like the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup, there is continued support of the development of young talent while spreading joy and connection through sport.
Schools who would like to join the action in the 2025/206 season can contact their local County Schools’ FA to get involved in next year’s local rounds. More information can be found here.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, please visit www.pokemon.co.uk.
About the English Schools’ FA
Since its formation in 1904, the English Schools’ Football Association has become the National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England. The Association provides over 1 million footballing opportunities for school pupils in England, each year.
The Association generates footballing activity for around 700,000 children across the country each season, with over 100,000 pupils taking part in National Schools’ Cup competitions. The ESFA consistently works to create new and improved opportunities for schools’ football players in England, whilst working hard to create equal and inclusive access to the sport, in particular its provision of girls’ football.
The ESFA prides itself on its educational ethos and it values the importance of football in the classroom as much as on the pitch with the Association creating plenty of opportunities to celebrate all the wide-reaching benefits of Schools’ Football. For more information about the ESFA and its many campaigns, including Schools’ Football Week, you can visit the ESFA website or follow @schoolsfoootball on Twitter and Instagram
Xbox, Bethesda Softworks and The Firepit Company bring demon-slaying drama to the UK’s most iconic gardening event, May 20-24
London, United Kingdom, May 19th – The gardening and gaming worlds unite in a unique lifestyle collaboration between leading bespoke firepit designers The Firepit Company, gaming giant Xbox, and leading publisher Bethesda Softworks. This partnership brings forth a hellish DOOM: The Dark Ages display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London, from May 20th – 24th, seamlessly blending the game’s take on medieval stylings with cutting edge craftsmanship, perfect for sharing the adventure with the public!
The giant installation features a series of epic floral displays at London’s premier gardening event, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Each arrangement features a unique blend of angelic, ethereal garden and DOOM’s dark, medieval aesthetic. At the centerpiece is the DOOM: The Dark Ages-inspired firepit, which includes intricate demons and elaborate adversaries from the game. The Slayer dominates this hellscape and is surrounded and consumed by an arrangement of dark flowers, including Julisa (‘Black Hero’), Centaurea Cyanus (‘Black Ball’), Petunia (‘Black Velvet’) and Zantedeschia (‘Odessa’), as well as a meticulously carved slate pedestal, with the Slayer’s signature symbol slashed across the stone, transforming the event itself into the ‘Chelsea Fire Show’.
“This partnership with the Firepit Company adds a literal spark as we celebrate the 15th May launch of DOOM: The Dark Ages, said Steve Merrett, Marketing & Communications Director for Northern Europe at Bethesda. “Its amazing to see how DOOM: The Dark Ages’s unique visual style has been adapted into a centrepiece worthy of any outdoor area. Blending fire, stone and vivid blooms into something bold and iconic that pays homage to this year’s most anticipated action title.”
“DOOM was my first foray into action gaming and introduced me to a love of gaming,” said Jason Andre, Managing Director of The Firepit Company. When we first spoke about creating something special for DOOM: The Dark Ages I was instantly hooked on the idea! It has been a pleasure to work on such an iconic piece and the whole team is excited to see the pieces being enjoyed!”
The firepit displays will be available at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London, from Tuesday 20th May to Saturday 24th May. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for gardening and gaming fans to witness the intensity of DOOM: The Dark Ages directly.
About Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. group of companies, is a worldwide publisher of interactive entertainment software. Titles published under Bethesda Softworks include such blockbuster franchises as The Elder Scrolls™, Fallout™, DOOM™, QUAKE™, Wolfenstein™, Dishonored™, The Evil Within™, and also Prey™, RAGE™, DEATHLOOP™, Redfall™, Ghostwire™: Tokyo, and Starfield™. Bethesda Softworks and all the precited titles are trademarks of the ZeniMax group of companies. All rights reserved. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethesda.net.
About Firepit Co
For over a decade, The Firepit Company has been renowned for crafting bespoke sculptural firepits and steel art pieces that enhance outdoor spaces. Under the leadership of Managing Director Jason André, the company produces functional yet artistic firepits that serve as striking centrepieces for gardens and patios. Their work is celebrated for its craftsmanship, customizability, and ability to elevate any outdoor setting.
About the DOOM: The Dark Ages Installation
The DOOM: The Dark Ages garden display is a creative collaboration between Xbox, Bethesda Softworks, and The Firepit Company. Featuring immersive firepits and a corrupted celestial garden inspired by the latest DOOM title, this showcase redefines what’s possible at RHS Chelsea Flower Show — where fire, fantasy, and flora collide.
Step into a gothic RPG where necromancy is both a gift and a curse. How far will you go for power? Updated Demo LIve Now on Steam!
May 19, 2025 – Psychic Software invites players to explore the depths of dark magic with the launch of an updated demo for The Necromancer’s Tale available now on PC via Steam. A top-down, story-rich gothic RPG with an isometric viewpoint, the game blends narrative-driven exploration with the chilling rituals of necromancy, all set against the haunting backdrop of 18th-century Italy.
In The Necromancer’s Tale, players assume the role of a minor noble thrust into the dark arts, mastering forbidden rituals and commanding an army of the undead. Unlike conventional RPGs, necromancy is not just a skill—it’s an immersive journey into secrecy, manipulation, and moral decay. Inspired by titles like Disco Elysium and Pillars of Eternity, this dark origin story is the first of its kind to explore what it truly means to become a necromancer, unraveling mysteries of death and power in a richly layered narrative spanning over 400,000 words, and 180+ NPCs.
The game’s branching dialogue and faction-based trust system mean that every choice matters. Game Director Sam Redfern and Marketing Director Kirsty Halloran capture this vision perfectly, stating: “In The Necromancer’s Tale, necromancy isn’t just another branch of magic—it’s the heart of the story. It’s about choice, sacrifice, and the slow, inevitable pull of darkness. We want players to feel the weight of every decision, every ritual, and every life they take—or bring back.”
What you say, and what you are seen doing, can alter the course of events, leading to either powerful alliances or dangerous enemies. The narrative is heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft, offering a realistic world where terrors hide in the shadows, pushing the boundaries of political intrigue and moral ambiguity.
Key Gameplay Features
Master the Dark Arts: Experience necromancy like never before. Command the dead and perform forbidden rituals
Turn-Based Combat: The game features tactical turn-based combat, commanding your allies and undead minions against natural and supernatural foes. A combat auto-resolve system is offered to those who would prefer to focus on the narrative.
Forge Powerful Alliances: Influence factions through dialogue, espionage, and dark magic, where every choice has lasting consequences.
Uncover Secrets of the Dead: Communicate with spirits, unearth dark conspiracies, and rewrite the fate of the living and the dead.
A Living, Breathing World: Explore an 18th Century alt-history that blurs the lines between magic and science, necromancy and medicine, alchemy and chemistry. Unfolding plots tackle themes of political unrest, societal decay, and the ethics of power.
Game Length: Expect a rich journey lasting between 25 to 50 hours, depending on your choices and exploration of hidden dungeons and side quests.
Steam Demo: Get a hands-on experience with the game’s opening chapters, and enjoy an exciting Dungeon Crawl.
Based in Galway, West of Ireland, Psychic Software is an award-winning game studio whose founders have been making games since the 1980s, collaborating with various artists, musicians, and other game studios. Psychic Software’s published games range from a car-combat MMO, live and online since 2006, to casual smartphone puzzle games achieving millions of downloads, arcade-adventures, platformers, multiplayer online racers, CRPGs, and more. Sam, a veteran indie dev, launched his first commercial game in 1984 as a code listing in a magazine. The Necromancer’s Tale was co-funded by the Creative Media Programme of the European Union.
Get ready to join the fight and battle to save the world!
Madrid, Spain – 19 May 2025. Meridiem is thrilled to announce that the physical Elsie – Magitek Edition will launch for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on 10th July, 2025. Developed by Knight Shift Games and digitally published by Playtonic Friends, this technicolour, hyperkinetic, rogue-like action-platformer is filled with procedurally generated levels, an army of robots to blast through, and a wide scope of items and weaponry to make each run unique.
Meridiem is responsible for designing and manufacturing the physical Magitek Edition of Elsiefor PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch and will include a copy of the game, a special case, a sticker sheet and a character book!
Welcome to the planet Ekis, a bountiful world filled with natural resources and scientific discovery! There is chaos amongst this wonder however, in a world awash with natural disasters. Our story begins with Dr Grey, a talented scientist who engineered a team of high-tech androids with the power to prevent these disasters. These Androids were known as “The Guardians”.
The Guardian’s true power lay in the Arclight Core, an energy source that allowed them to bend the elements to their will. The world rejoiced in a new age of peace and safety, but this peace was short lived – as one day without warning or explanation, the Guardians disappeared.
Winds whipped, seas surged, and a newfound threat quickly emerged as an army of robots laid siege to Dr Grey’s home, the city of Neotoño.
Amidst the chaos and threat of more disasters, Dr Grey forged one final android…Elsie. Built like none before her, she must find the Guardians and save planet Ekis.
Features
Bullet Hell Ballet: dash, dive, and shoot your way through stages filled with dynamic enemies, all while performing perfectly timed precision parrying.
Death is only the beginning: in this roguelike rollercoaster die and die and die again – but you’ll always get back on your feet to embrace the chaos.
Explore the technicolour Domains of Planet Ekis: take a tour of Planet Ekis’s vibrant neon-drenched biomes. With procedural generation leading to everchanging levels, each run presents unique challenges and enemies.
Augmented Action and Character Customization: make strategic decisions on upgrades, skills, and weapons to drastically alter the dynamic of each run. Experiment with different playstyles for devastating synergies.
Challenge epic boss battles and conquer biome Guardians: test your skills against boisterous bots, massive bosses and biome Guardians, memorising patterns to emerge victorious.
Master Melee Combat with a second player character: join the fray with Andru, a melee-based character featuring unique augments, weapons, and abilities. Get up close and personal to bash baddies and bring the noise!
Elsie – Magitek Edition will launch as a physical edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on 10 July 2025.
About Meridiem
We are Meridiem, a video game publisher and distributor in love with its culture, which we protect and pass on in order to preserve it. We do this by fostering talent through investment in independent projects with potential, bringing back classic titles, promising indies and AAA games while continuing to support the physical format. When we stop working on video games, we celebrate by playing video games. https://meridiem-games.com/
The May update for World of Warships: Legends also sees the introduction of the German Legendary tier battleships Preußen, new events, and much more
May 19, 2025 – Wargaming, the developer and publisher of the leading cross-platform naval multiplayer game World of Warships: Legends, is coming in with a boatload of content for May and June. The seas are set to become more dangerous, as World of Warships: Legends makes its first steps on Steam with a closed beta test taking place this month. In addition, the German Legendary tier battleship Preußen becomes available via a new campaign, a new Retrofuturistic event arrives, and events tied to the Battle of Jutland and the Hunt for Bismarck round out the update.
World of Warships: Legends brings fast-paced action to Steam
The popular console and mobile version of the franchise, World of Warships: Legends, is preparing to dock on Steam. Since 2019, the game has ushered in millions of players across multiple platforms, and now, the energetic battles on the high seas are making the jump to PC via Steam, with over 500 warships and more than 100 Commanders available at launch.
World of Warships: Legends on PC continues the entry’s action-packed combat, with easy-to-learn gameplay and intuitive controls. A closed beta test will be taking place from May 23 until May 26, with sign-ups now available via the official Steam store page. During this period, participants will be able to test the Versus AI, Arcade, and Standard battle types, with ship Tech Trees, Commanders, divisions, campaigns, and missions also available. Other major features, such as additional battle types, Bureau Projects, Fleets, crossplay, and more, will be introduced later in the full version.
Players are invited to share feedback on controls, performance improvements, and any potential issues that may arise during the closed beta period, to ensure Steam players get a smooth and polished experience when World of Warships: Legends launches. Plans are also underway to ensure the game is supported on Steam Deck, allowing aspiring captains to take their battles on the go.
The German battleship Preußen and new events arrive in World of Warships: Legends
As for World of Warships: Legends players on console and mobile, the May update also sees the arrival of the German Legendary Tier battleship Preußen, which will be available via a new six-week campaign. Continuing the theme of German vessels, German Legendary Tier cruiser Hindenburg continues its marathon, allowing players to continue working towards unlocking this ship.
May also sees events galore, with the Hunt for Bismarck event offering the Unsinkable Sam Commander guise as its main reward. The Battle of Jutland joins alongside, featuring new Premium ships such as German Tier IV battleship Moltke, British T
ier IV battleship Indefatigable, and German Tier VI cruiser Leipzig. Finally, the May update wraps up with brand-new Brawl and Fleet Cup seasons available for players to test their strength, and much more.
About World of Warships: Legends
Experience epic naval action in World of Warships: Legends, a massively multiplayer online game where you can master the seas in history’s greatest warships! Recruit Legendary Commanders from maritime history, upgrade your vessels, and stake your claim to naval supremacy with or against players from around the world in thrilling and immersive battles.
World of Warships: Legends brings the online naval action loved by millions to home consoles and mobile for the very first time, alongside a host of content and features exclusive to the console experience.
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry. Its 15 offices around the world include studios in Chicago, Prague, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Belgrade, and Kyiv. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Its flagship products include the free-to-play hits World of Tanks, World of Tanks Blitz, World of Warships, World of Warships: Legends, and World of Warships Blitz.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 19 May, 2025 – A new era of Rainbow Six Siege kicks off on 10 June with the launch of Siege X and the introduction of Free Access, Dual Front (the new 6v6 game mode for current gen consoles and PC), modernized maps, destructible ingredients, improved rappel navigation, an audio overhaul, and more as part of a wide-ranging suite of upgrades, improvements, and refinements.
10 June also marks the launch of Operation Daybreak (Year 10 Season 2) which will deliver an Operator remaster for Clash; balancing updates for Jackal, Sledge, Thunderbird, Jäger, and Blackbeard; changes to electricity and limb damage; and more. These updates will be free for all Siege X players, including those who download and play through Free Access.
And that’s not all! Read on for a sneak peek at Season 3 and Season 4, coming later this year, as well as details on R6 ShieldGuard: the team’s ever-evolving approach to fighting cheating and toxicity to ensure a fair and competitive environment for all players.
Siege X
Siege X is the next evolution of Rainbow Six Siege that is free for all players who already own the game. It’s also introducing Free Access, which means anyone can hop in for free and play the Quick Match, Unranked, and Dual Front modes, and enjoy all of the upgrades delivered with Siege X. Keep an eye out for newly placed destructible ingredients in every map, including explosive gas pipes, vision-clouding smoke detectors, and interactable metal detectors. Player movement will be more fluid thanks to the advanced rappel navigation allowing sprinting and turning corners, as well as the momentum movement improvement.
Siege X also introduces map modernization, a process through which the Siege team improves existing maps with boast new lighting and shadows, as well as higher resolution. Five maps will be modernized on 10 June, with three more maps getting the upgrade each season. The audio system is also being overhauled, the result of which will be clearer, more accurate audio cues to help you gain richer intel about what’s happening around you.
You’ll be able to make callouts more effectively with the new communication wheel, and show off your cosmetic style with the new weapon inspect feature. And whether you’re refining your competitive strategy with the new pick and ban system in Ranked matches, or learning the ropes faster and more thoroughly with the new onboarding flow, you’ll benefit from the extensive upgrades and refinements throughout the game. More details can be found in our Siege X Showcase recap article from the Siege X Showcase in March.
But there’s more! At the recent RE:LO:AD esports event in Rio de Janeiro, more details were revealed on updates coming with Siege X, including an in-game esports tab that will allow easy access to keep up with the best Siege competition around the globe. New beginner challenges and onboarding flow will offer in-game rewards to diligent new players, and experienced players will progress faster through the clearance levels with a new XP curve. Follow your progress with the new career stats tracker as you review your performance in different playlists by checking your stats, including the K.O.S.T. stat that esports fans will recognize as a popular metric in pro play.
The new Enlisted and Field Training playlists will cater to new and returning players, respectively, giving each a customizable practice arena to fight on full maps against AI bots trained on real player behaviours. Whether you’re training solo or playing matches against other players, you’ll now hear the voices of the Operators more often as the new Operator banter feature will bring new dialogue lines that illuminate the personalities and relationships between the characters.
PC players can get an early taste of Siege X in action in the test server session, starting on 20 May at 11 PM AEST and running through 9 June at 11 PM AEST. The session is open to all players who already own Rainbow Six Siege on PC, and the test server tile should automatically appear in your Ubisoft Connect library. If it doesn’t, you can register for the test server via the Ubisoft Connect website.
Operation Daybreak (Season 2)
Coinciding with the launch of Siege X is the start of Operation Daybreak, the second season of Rainbow Six Siege Year 10. This season brings of host of balancing updates for various Operators, changes to electricity and limb damage, as well as an Operator remaster for Clash.
Clash is the first Defender to ever wield a shield, and it’s her CCE Shield that has received some significant upgrades. She can now deploy her CCE Shield MK2, freeing her to move more quickly and position herself to play off of her shield’s stationary position. While the shield is deployed, Clash can operate its taser remotely, applying the shocking and slowing effect in a broad cone-shaped area. Defenders looking to remove this obstacle can use explosives or, if they get close enough, simply burst through the shield and destroy it (but beware, Clash or her allies can also execute this burst-through manoeuvre for a surprise attack).
Clash can still play with her shield in-hand or on her back as well, and it’s been updated to automatically collapse and expand as she sprints, crouches, vaults, and crashes through barricades. She can deploy it, pick it back up, and put down somewhere else. It’s more nimble, more versatile, and gives Clash more ways to be an absolute force on the defending team.
Some notable balancing updates will also arrive with Operation Daybreak.
Electricity will no longer damage any Operators. It will be a neutral element that will still have a slowing effect on Operators, and will destroy gadgets regardless of team affiliation.
Limb damage will be reduced, making it more important than ever to aim for centre mass or heads.
Shield Operators will no longer be able to aim down sights while vaulting or dropping from higher levels.
Blackbeard’s shield glass has been tinted to make it easier to see if it’s up or down.
Jackal will only ping an enemy position one time after scanning footprints, and the footprints will disappear immediately after being scanned. He will also be able to use it five times, an increase from the current three.
Jäger will now be able to eliminate Capitão’s bolts and Gridlock’s Trax Stingers with his Active Defense System.
Thunderbird will no longer allow enemies to heal from her Kona Stations (unless Brava’s Kludge Drone takes them over).
Sledge will be able to knock down shield users he comes across (which he is likely to do more often now that attackers and defenders can be on the same team in Dual Front). Operation Daybreak is launching on June 10, read the full news breakdown on the official Rainbow Six Siege website.
R6 ShieldGuard and Anti-Toxicity
Introduced earlier this year, R6 ShieldGuard is the unification of game security and anti-cheat tools developed by the Rainbow Six Siege team to help ensure fair competition for everyone. Thanks to the introduction of new security hardening tech in Season 1, Operation Prep Phase, cheat reports are trending down as more cheaters are being banned. Season 2 will bring a major security update as well as a powerful change to how updates are delivered. Soon, the unified anti-cheat system will be fully dynamic, allowing the dev team to push a new game executable directly to players at any time during the season and making it significantly more difficult for cheat-makers to adapt. This proactive approach will continue throughout Seasons 3 & 4 as the team works with pro players and the community to continually refine their systems.
In addition to protecting the competitive fairness of Siege X, the team is also focused on making the game more respectful and secure for all players. The now-fully activated Reputation System has seen the number of negative actions decrease, including a drop in abusive language, while text chat usage has increased along with reports of positive actions in-game. Seasons 3 & 4 will continue to bolster these efforts with voice chat moderation, new Reputation System actions, and improvements to privacy settings, abandon penalties, and in-game reports.
Seasons 3 & 4
Looking ahead to seasons beyond Operation Daybreak, the Siege X team has shared some tidbits about what’s on the roadmap for later this year. Season 3 will bring three more modernized maps – Nighthaven, Lair, and Consulate – as well as assignment changes in Dual Front with narrative ties to the new Operator. This new Defender will hail from Switzerland and introduce a new weapon to the game. Players looking for a true competitive challenge will have plenty of opportunities when the Siege Cup becomes available every weekend, and allows you to inspect the stats of your opponents before the match begins. Plus, be on the lookout for a returning Halloween event on a new map.
Season 4 will mark the 10-year anniversary of Rainbow Six Siege, and a special in-game event is planned to celebrate the occasion. The season will also deliver an Operator remaster of an Attacker, as well as another new weapon that will, for the first time, be available for multiple Operators upon release (first as part of the battlepass, and later to everyone). Two more modernized maps are inbound – Theme Park and Skyscraper – in addition to a full rework and modernization for a third map. Significant updates for the training modes, including Keres Legion targets instead of test dummies, are also coming in Season 4, plus improvements to ranked matchmaking, a new Dual Front assignment, and continued balancing work that will address EMP and jamming systems. Finally, a new playlist called Testing Grounds will serve as a place for the team to explore new ideas and gather feedback as they shape the future of Siege X.
The full reveals of seasons 3 & 4 will come later in 2025, but suffice to say it’s a big year for Rainbow Six Siege X. The Year 10 dynamic roadmap is also available on the official Rainbow Six Siege website.
Rainbow Six Siege X is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and Epic Games, as well as with a Ubisoft+ Premium subscription.
19th May 2025: The Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) is excited to announce that game submissions for the 2025 Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) are officially open.
The AGDAs celebrate excellence in Australian game development, honouring the talent, creativity, and innovation that define our local industry. This year’s awards ceremony will be held on the evening of Wednesday 8 October at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre as part of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW).
Previous AGDAs winners include acclaimed titles such as CONSCRIPT, Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, Gubbins, Cult of the Lamb, Unpacking, Moving Out, Wylde Flowers, Untitled Goose Game, and The Oregon Trail—all of which have gone on to achieve international recognition.
Submissions for the 2025 AGDAs will close at 11:59pm AEST on Sunday 15 June. Game developers from across the country are encouraged to enter their work across a range of creative and technical categories.
The categories for this year’s awards are:
GAMES AWARDS
Excellence in Visual Art (Previously Excellence in Art)
Excellence in Gameplay
Excellence in Narrative
Excellence in Sound Design
Excellence in Music
Excellence in Accessibility
Excellence in Mobile
Excellence in Extended Reality (Previously Excellence in Mixed Reality)
Excellence in Impact
Excellence in Ongoing (Previously Excellence in Live Service)
Excellence in Debut (Previously Excellence in Emerging)
Game of the Year
CAREER, CONTRIBUTION AND CULTURE AWARDS
Studio of the Year
The Adam Lancman Award
The Rising Star Award
All games submitted will be evaluated against the AGDAs Judging Assessment Criteria and reviewed by a panel of experienced judges from across the games industry. Each game will be played by a minimum of six judges, and finalists will be selected for a second round of specialist review to determine the winners.
IGEA establishes an extensive judging panel of experts from across the entire video games industry to ensure appropriate consideration is undertaken for each game submitted. Each year we invite people from across the industry to be part of the judging panel.
Submissions for the judging panel will close on May 30th, so don’t delay!
About the AGDAs
The Australian Game Developer Awards (AGDAs) are a national event celebrating outstanding games and individual achievements by the Australian game development community.
Since 2020 The AGDAs have been run by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) – the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry.
IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry. IGEA supports the games industry’s business and public policy interests through advocacy, research and education programs. For more information, please visit www.igea.net
We take control, literally, of the fresh-faced Luden named Sayaka Hiwata who has little memory of who she is as we begin to meet a large number of familiar faces from past games, both friend and foe, as well as twisted anomalies and meet our gory ends in the beginning of Idea Factory International’s Death end re;Quest: Code Z.
Death end re;Quest: Code Z – Gameplay
Step into a tale of parallel universes in Death end re;Quest: Code Z, the latest installment in the acclaimed Death end re;Quest series by Compile Heart and Idea Factory International. This roguelike RPG introduces a new protagonist, Sayaka Hiwatari, as she navigates the enigmatic World DE-1.5—a realm crafted to be an ideal world but now threatened by a mysterious crisis.
With character designs by Kei Nanameda and a gripping narrative supervised by Makoto Kedouin (known for Corpse Party), players will delve into the treacherous Strain Areas, facing off against formidable foes and uncovering the truth behind the chaos. The game combines strategic turn-based combat with visual novel storytelling, offering a unique and immersive experience.
Death end re;Quest: Code Z is set to release on May 13, 2025, for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with a Steam release planned for later in the year.
Death end re;Quest: Code Z Developer: Idea Factory, Compile Heart Publisher: Idea Factory International, Inc. Platform: PlayStation 4/5, Windows Release Date: 13th May, 2025 (PC) TBA 2025 Price: $49.99 USD
Not Recommended – “Death end re;Quest: Code Z had potential but fell short. Despite the returning cast and Sayaka’s appeal, a weak plot and bland gameplay hold it back, making it a spin-off suited only for die-hard fans.”
Get a taste of some neighborly love in the third installment of ClockUp’s Healthy Hentai series!
CHICAGO – May 16th, 2025 – Last night at Anime Central, MangaGamer announced their acquisition of the third installment of ClockUp’s popular adult Healthy Hentai series: How I Met My Healthy Hentai Neighbors! This title is slated for a fully uncensored release on MangaGamer.
Meet Ichihashi Jirou, a sex drive scholar at St. Orgies’ Private Academy. He decided to offer up his dick and semen for use in the Perversion Department’s practicums in exchange for all sorts of perks. But as a virgin, he’s very particular about who his very first partner will be.
Living right next door to Jirou is the Maezono household——a family of legendary perverts from the single mother to each of her four daughters. When the eldest Maezono daughter, Chihiro, catches Jirou masturbating one day, it isn’t long before the entire household discovers that he’s a virgin.
Now, an esteemed family of perverts like the Maezonos can’t possibly stand by while a defenseless virgin like Jirou remains unmolested! Now that they’ve set their perverted sights on him…
…It’s f$%# or be f$%#@ed!
So Jirou decides he’ll have his first time with one of the lovely Maezono ladies, but will that choice really be so simple?
Key Features:
Reunite with heroines from both previous games: The cast of both How to Live a Healthy Hentai Lifestyle! and How a Healthy Hentai Administers Public Service! are back indulging in even more healthy hentai for your enjoyment! But don’t fret if you haven’t played the previous titles yet, this one stands on its own just as well too.
Art and character designs by the talented Butcha-U: Butcha-U illustrates the Hentai Neighbors with a healthy erotic flair to match the legendary perverts themselves.
Variety is the spice… of hentai! The broad cast and breadth of scenarios are sure to delight even the most studious of perverts!
MangaGamer also announced a USB physical edition of MOONSTONE‘s Welcome to a Sexy, Open World! for $44.95. Pre-orders open on Monday, May 19th with the title shipping on July 7th. Copies will be available for pre-sale at the MangaGamer booth at Anime Expo as well.
For more information on How I Met My Healthy Hentai Neighbors!, and other titles from MangaGamer, be sure to join the discussion on Discord or follow MangaGamer on Bluesky, Twitter and Facebook. You can also check out their blog for comments from the staff and other featured articles!
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