The surreal hand-drawn arcade puzzle challenge confirms its launch date. Wishlist now and play the Steam demo today.

Bologna, Italy – July 13, 2026. Indie developer IV Productions, in collaboration with Power Up Publishing, is thrilled to announce that Spinning Scarecrow will launch for PC via Steam on 4th August, 2026. Players won’t have long to wait before stepping into its surreal, hand-drawn nightmare where precision, timing, and constant motion are the only keys to survival.

Inspired by the classic Game Boy Advance title Kuru Kuru Kururin, Spinning Scarecrow blends familiar arcade precision with a twisted horror aesthetic, challenging players to master a unique gameplay mechanic where your scarecrow never stops spinning. Every level demands razor-sharp reflexes as you navigate claustrophobic environments filled with deadly traps, rotating hazards, grotesque enemies, bizarre minigames, and game-changing power-ups that constantly force you to rethink your approach.

Easy to learn but relentlessly challenging to master, where every failure becomes another lesson as players chase faster times, higher scores, and the perfect run through an increasingly unforgiving world.

Key Features

• Constantly spinning arcade puzzle gameplay where movement never stops
• Deadly traps, rotating hazards, and precision platforming
• Grotesque enemies and bizarre minigames that keep every run unpredictable
• Powerful abilities and game-changing power-ups
• Striking hand-drawn dark comic-inspired visuals
• High replayability with increasingly demanding challenges

Fans don’t have to wait until launch to experience the madness. The Steam demo remains available live, allowing players to test their reflexes, discover the unique spinning mechanics, and get an early taste of the increasingly chaotic world awaiting them on launch day.

Wishlist Spinning Scarecrow on Steam today, download the free demo, and prepare to lose control when the full game launches on 4th August.

July 13, 2026 – The World of Tanks team today announces a partnership with Ubisoft to launch Battle Pass Special: Far Cry, a limited-time event inspired by the wild and lawless spirit of the FARCRY universe.

Beginning July 16, Commanders will leave civilization behind and plunge into a tropical paradise where beauty hides danger, trust is a luxury, and survival is everything. Battle Pass Special: Far Cry runs through July 27, bringing iconic FARCRY characters, unique customization rewards, exclusive 2D styles, and a brand-new tank featuring a jungle-crafted 3D style.

The M-VII-Y takes center stage as a rugged American Tier IX heavy tank built to endure where others fall behind. Available through Chapter Progression, it comes with the exclusive “Twisting Paths” 3D style. Its design reflects the island’s influence, with palm leaves on the turret creating a distinctive silhouette that hints at the madness and instability woven throughout the FARCRY universe, while a cannon inspired by Citra’s Knife features a blade-like shape and carved tribal patterns.

Five authentic FARCRY characters, each featuring unique voiceovers, will join the battlefield. Through Chapter Progression, players can recruit Jack Carver, the hardened ex-Navy officer, and Dr. George Krieger, the brilliant but disgraced geneticist. Additional themed bundles unlock Jason Brody, a reluctant survivor shaped by chaos, Citra Talugmai, the enigmatic and revered Rakyat leader, and Pagan Min, the charismatic yet ruthless self-proclaimed King of Kyrat.

By progressing through Chapter Stages, Commanders can earn FARCRY-inspired rewards across both Base and Improved tracks, including themed 2D customization items. Featured among them are:

• “Trouble in Paradise” 2D style pays tribute to the original FARCRY game through the iconic red Hawaiian shirt worn by Jack Carver.
• “Tatau” 2D style recreates the legendary tribal markings of the Rakyat people, transforming the tank into a canvas covered with the symbols and traditions of the islands.
• “Jungle Fever” 2D style also draws inspiration from the unforgettable visual identity of FARCRY 3, bringing its iconic artwork and the legendary knife of Citra to the battlefield.

Players looking to embrace the full FARCRY experience can grab themed bundles and complete special combat missions to unlock even more franchise-inspired rewards.

For more information, please visit: https://worldoftanks.asia/en/news/general-news/battle-pass-special-july-2026/

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to tank warfare. Throw yourself into epic tank battles of World War II with gamers all over the world. Your arsenal includes over 800 armored vehicles from 11 nations, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.

Official website: worldoftanks.com

About Wargaming

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. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming’s titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include hit free-to-play franchises – World of Tanks and World of Warships.

Official website: wargaming.com

About FARCRY

Since 2004, Far Cry has sold through more than 60M units, and is one of Ubisoft’s most popular franchises. The award-winning Far Cry franchise is known for the exhilaration of the first-person shootouts, organic open world playgrounds, unique stories and memorable antagonists. The latest opus, Far Cry 6, which featured Giancarlo Esposito as the antagonist, Antón, was released on October 6, 2021. Beyond gaming, fans can also experience the Far Cry universe through other entertainment media.

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed®, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.53 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2026 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

SS13 Afterlight launches 16 July

Shanghai, China — July 11, 2026 | XD Games is thrilled to reveal all the new content and changes coming in Torchlight: Infinite’s upcoming season, SS13 Afterlight, which begins on Wednesday, 16 July.

As outlined in the SS13 Afterlight season preview, this season’s new mechanic allows players to become Night Watchers in the Netherrealm, guiding departed souls onto the underworld in an effort to farm as much loot as possible.

Players will come across unnamed coffins in the Netherrealm, which they can guide through the world after lighting a lantern to begin a funeral procession. The goal is to protect that procession by defeating any enemies lured over by that guiding light.

The lantern’s colour communicates the player’s proficiency in guiding souls: Green means the player’s dispatching enemies at a good speed for the best loot, a yellow lantern means the player’s slowing down and the battlefield is too crowded, and a red lantern signals that the player needs to get rid of the enemies currently attacking the coffin before they can progress. 

Players can also encounter randomly triggered events or special golden enemies and have a chance to escort special coffins like the veteran’s coffin — which has a tighter time limit, denser enemy spawns and a higher kill target — to earn even better loot.

SS13 Afterlight also introduces a new endgame challenge to replace City Defense called the Divine Ascent, which will put Torchlight: Infinite players’ best builds to the test. Here, players tackle maps within a three-minute time limit, clearing enemies or random events to fill Challenge Progress bars. 

A full bar unlocks the floor boss, which has to be defeated within the time limit to allow players to advance to the next map. Like the new core gameplay loop, Divine Ascent will also feature its own special mechanics, and rewards will scale with floor progression. 

As teased earlier this month, SS13 will introduce the Dance of the Deep Hero Trait for Tide Whisper Selena. This new trait dramatically changes her combat style, as she no longer casts spells from a fixed position. Instead, her Terra skills now move with her across the battlefield. Additionally, her different Dance Steps provide a variety of buffs, ranging from movement speed to battlefield control effects.

Afterlight also features a new season progression system that uses a new kind of Divinity Slate: Nether King’s Divinity. Players can slot Nether King Divine Remnant items into their talent grid to unlock new talents from the ancient king that will be useful to players at all skill levels. 

For a full breakdown of all the new content and changes coming to Torchlight: Infinite in the upcoming season, including The Ultimate Belt legendary item, adjustments to Talent Constellations and the Creation Engine, or the addition of a highly-requested One-Tap Level Up button to the Skills screen, watch today’s SS13 Afterlight Season Preview or check out the full patch notes on the Torchlight: Infinite website. 

Torchlight: Infinite is available now on PC, iOS, and Android. SS13 Afterlight begins on 16 July at 7:00pm PDT / 10:00pm EDT and 17 July at 3:00am BST / 4:00am CEST.

About XD Games

Founded in 2003, XD Games is a global video games developer and publisher with extensive experience across development, publishing and operations. As of 2022, XD has 38 free-to-play and paid games with over 50 million monthly active users worldwide. In addition, TapTap — a mobile games community and app store — was launched by XD in 2016 and is estimated to currently have 44 million monthly active users.  XD’s mission is to assemble like-minded talented games industry craftspeople with a common goal of touching the hearts of players around the world. XD produces games of the finest quality with passion, offering a pure gaming experience, and encouraging players of all ages to embrace the unique joy of video gaming.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Makes a Strong Start, Supported by Positive Critics

Sydney, Australia – July 11, 2026 – Today, Vantage Studios, a Ubisoft company, announced launch day results with the release of Assassin’s Creed™ Black Flag Resynced, the latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, released on July 9. With 2 million copies of the game sold on its first day, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced has made a strong start. This trend is expected to continue as players across the world get their hands on the game. The game ranked Top 1 on Twitch on July 9 and reached a peak of 99 451 concurrent players on Steam within 24 hours of launch, making it the highest concurrent player count ever recorded for an Assassin’s Creed title on the platform. 

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is also received positively by critics, with a 85% review score on Open Critic and 84% review score on Metacritic, making it the highest rated Assassin’s Creed game since the launch of the original Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. This includes reviewers like IGN scoring Resynced 9/10 and declaring it “bigger and better in all the ways that matter”.  The technical achievement has also been praised by specialists such as Digital Foundry, referring to it as “One of the most effective remakes we’ve ever seen.”. The game is also well-received by players with a current rating of 4.76/5 on the Playstation Store, 4.7/5 on the Xbox Store and Mostly Positive reviews on Steam.  

“Black Flag has always held a special place in the heart of the community, and ours.” said Martin Schelling, Head of Assassin’s Creed Brand. ”Bringing it back with Resynced was a promise to that passion for Edward’s adventures, and to the unique sense of freedom players experienced back then. Seeing so many players set sail on day one, along with the great reviews from critics, is the greatest reward we could have hoped for.” 

A testament to Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, originally released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, led by Ubisoft Singapore*, is a faithful remake rebuilt from the ground up and powered by the latest Anvil engine. The game features stunning updated visuals and enriched gameplay, including parry‑driven combat, improved stealth and parkour, deeper naval mechanics, and new narrative content.  

Set during the Golden Age of Piracy, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced invites players to sail the Caribbean as Edward Kenway, a rebellious pirate captain drawn into the centuries-old conflict between Assassins and Templars. As Edward pursues glory and fortune, he crosses paths with legendary figures such as Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack, while the fate of everything the pirates have built hangs in the balance. 

The game is available on Ubisoft+**, PlayStation^®5, Xbox Series X|S, as well as Windows PC through the Ubisoft Store, Steam (Steam Deck verified) and the Epic Games Store.  

For more information on the Assassin’s Creed Franchise, please visit: https://www.ubisoft.com/en-au/game/assassins-creed  

For the latest news on the Assassin’s Creed Franchise and other Ubisoft games, please visit: https://news.ubisoft.com/.   

*Along with the following co-dev studios: Ubisoft Barcelona, Ubisoft Belgrade, Ubisoft Bordeaux, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Chengdu, Ubisoft DaNang, Ubisoft India, Ubisoft Kyiv, Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Philippines, Ubisoft Quebec, Ubisoft Shanghai, and Ubisoft Sofia 

**Ubisoft+ Premium is available for AU$23.95 per month. Cancel anytime.  More information at plus.ubisoft.com.  

About Assassin’s Creed      

 Since it first launched in 2007, the Assassin’s Creed^TM series has sold more than 250 million games worldwide. The franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series in video game history. Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into numerous other entertainment media.    

About Ubisoft 

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed™, Brawlhalla®, For Honor®, Far Cry®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon®, Just Dance®, Rabbids®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six®, The Crew® and Tom Clancy’s The Division®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.53 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com. 

© 2026 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Assassin’s Creed, Black Flag, Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered or unregistered trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries. Developed and published by Ubisoft. 

About Vantage Studios 

Vantage Studios is a Ubisoft company founded in 2025, bringing together three of the most iconic franchises in the video game industry: Assassin’s Creed™, Far Cry®, and Rainbow Six®. 

Its talented developers, creators, and professionals work across its studios in Montréal, Québec City, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Barcelona, Sofia, and Paris, united by a single ambition: to grow these iconic franchises and craft experiences that players will remember for generations. 

OCTOPinbs, a firefighting social deception game from co-developers tri-Ace, Lasengle Inc., and publisher Aniplex, receives fresh batches of new firefighter skins and expressive emotes on PC via Steam with the COSTUME4 DLC update, available now.OCTOPinbs owners can download the free DLC here. Aspiring rookies can purchase the game during the Steam Social Deduction Fest for a 30% discount until Friday, July 24.

The DLC4 update adds an outfit for nearly every occasion! Add a dash of cuteness to the chaos with a Flapjack Octopus Set. Looking for something more formal while identifying impostors? Wear the Tailored Suit for an air of sophistication while dousing flames. Don the traditional Eastern Octoarmor for a fearsome outfit perfect for PvP battles.  Communicate and coordinate more clearly than ever with five new expressive emotes. Acknowledge orders, ask questions, taunts, and more.

Join the official OCTOPinbs Discord and play alongside the developers during the next “OCTOPinbs TIME” community play sessions, taking place on the following dates:

Friday, July 10th, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (JST) (developer session)
Saturday, July 11th, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (JST) (community session)
Sunday, July 12th, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (JST) (community session)

Dash into danger as a team of firefighters on a two-part mission: extinguishing the spreading fire and unmasking the Artist responsible for the destruction. Watch out for a teammate with a dodgy demeanor – they might be the fire-starting Artist in disguise. Toss shady suspects into the Octojar to reveal their identity, no meetings necessary, but beware — detective work can turn into a PvP deathmatch on the spot if the Artist unleashes their hidden powers!

OCTOPinbs is available on PC via Steam for $9.99 USD with a limited-time 30% discount during the Steam Summer Sale. Language support in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, German, Korean, Spanish, and French. Learn more about OCTOPinbs by joining the Discord server, visiting the Steam Page, official website, TikTok, making sure to follow the X (Twitter) account, and searching the hashtag #OCTOPinbs.

About tri-Ace

tri-Ace Inc. is a Japanese video game development studio founded in 1995 by former Wolfteam employees, renowned for creating action-packed RPG series. Based in Tokyo, the company specializes in console and PC software development, with a reputation for deep, complex battle and skill systems.

For more information, please visit the official website here.

About Lasengle

Lasengle Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aniplex that specializes in planning, developing, and hosting games. Its previous work includes the multi-million download mobile hit Fate/Grand Order, and the 2D action fighting game MELTY BLOOD: TYPE LUMINA.

For more information, please visit the official website here.

About Aniplex

Aniplex is a comprehensive entertainment company with a global presence, engaged in a wide range of businesses centered on animation. The company operates in various fields, including the planning and production of anime, film, and music; game development; the release and distribution of physical and digital products; theatrical production and distribution; TV licensing; merchandising and licensing; the design and sale of figures and character goods; the operation of the “Aniplex Online” e-commerce store; and the production of live stage plays and events.

For more information, please visit the official website here.

New “Kivu” map, battles for up to 128 players, and troop transport vehicles are coming to the game

Gaijin Entertainment announces that the third stage of closed beta testing for infantry battles in the military online action game War Thunder will begin in July. Participants will be able to try out the new “Kivu” location, designed for large-scale battles with up to 128 players simultaneously.

The new map is four times larger than previous infantry locations and is inspired by the landscapes of Central Africa. It is built around battles for five capture points. During this testing phase, players will encounter a wide range of modern military hardware, including M1A2 SEP V2 and T-90M main battle tanks, AH-64A and Mi-28N helicopters, 2S6 and LAV-AD air defense systems, as well as modern small arms used by the USA and Russia.

To support large-scale engagements on “Kivu,” new gameplay rules for bigger maps are being tested. Players will be able to respawn not only at their base but also at capture points already secured by their team, making movement across the vast battlefield more dynamic. War Thunder will also introduce its first troop transport vehicles — light cars capable of carrying up to five soldiers at once — allowing faster deployment to key objectives. In addition, new UAV control range settings have been added for large-scale battles.

Arcade Battles will return to infantry combat during this third testing phase. The marker display logic has been reworked: markers are now shown only when a player has a direct line of sight to an enemy model, and they disappear when the target is obscured by smoke, explosions, trees, other obstacles, or is at extreme distance. This change improves readability in Arcade mode while preserving the importance of cover and concealment. Movement speed has also been adjusted — heavily equipped soldiers move faster than in Realistic Battles, making the mode more dynamic.

Significant changes have also been made to soldier classes. Weapon presets have been revised, and specialized equipment such as RPGs, MANPADS, and drones is no longer available to every soldier. As a result, players will need to choose more carefully between the four available classes and tailor their loadouts to the situation on the battlefield.

Players who have not yet joined the test can apply for access on the official War Thunder website.

About Gaijin Entertainment
Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder, Crossout, Enlisted, CRSED: F.O.A.D. and Star Conflict as well as other PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com/

About War Thunder
War Thunder is a free-to-play, cross-platform, massively multiplayer military masterpiece with millions of fans worldwide, that allows players on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Mac and Linux to fight their way across air, land, and sea in the same battlefield. War Thunder offers 2000+ playable aircraft, armored vehicles and ships from the 1900s to the 2010s. The US, Russian, British, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Israeli, South African and French military vehicles represented in game are carefully researched, historically accurate recreations of their real world counterparts. Fans can expect hundreds more added as Gaijin Entertainment commits to ongoing development via regular updates. Official website: http://warthunder.com

Developers Showcase Four Factions in New Battlefield Report Videos

10 July 2026: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV developer KING Art Games has provided a fresh look at the strategy game’s multiplayer mode with two Battlefield Report videos featuring the game’s four distinct factions. Across both matches, players can see how each faction offers a fundamentally different strategic approach, changing not just which units you command, but how you approach every battle.

Creative Director Jan Theysen and Senior Game Designer Elliott Verbiest face off in two 1v1 multiplayer matches, highlighting the unique identities of Dawn of War IV‘s factions.

This week’s Battlefield Report pits the Adeptus Mechanicus against the Necrons, spotlighting two radically different approaches to victory. The Adeptus Mechanicus expand their powerful Noosphere Network, strengthen key positions with superior technology, and excel at building devastating defensive firing lines. In contrast, the relentless Necrons methodically advance their Power Matrix across the battlefield, shrug off losses through resurrection, and overwhelm opponents with unwavering pressure. 

Watch Dawn of War IV Battlefield Report – Adeptus Mechanicus vs Necrons:

Last week’s Battlefield Report introduced the elite, adaptable Space Marines against the momentum-driven Orks. This week’s shifts to the defensive, technology-focused Adeptus Mechanicus versus the relentless Necrons, continuing the display of Dawn of War IV‘s four distinct multiplayer factions.

Watch Dawn of War IV Battlefield Report – Space Marines vs Orks:

From resilient defensive networks to unstoppable mechanical legions, every faction in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV offers a distinct path to victory.

Can the Adeptus Mechanicus withstand the unyielding advance of the ancient Necrons? Watch the latest Battlefield Report on YouTube now.

At last, back to war!

The war will continue long after launch

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on September 17, 2026 (September 18, 2026 AEST), with Commander Edition players deploying from September 14 through a 3-Day Early Unlock. Both editions are available to pre-order now with a 10% discount.

The war will continue long after launch. Year One includes free updates featuring the return of Crusade Mode, new maps, modes, Commanders, and the Mission Editor, alongside two major story expansions that will deepen the conflict on Kronus and introduce a new playable faction to the battlefield.

About Dawn of War IV 

Dawn of War IV delivers an unforgettable sci-fi RTS experience set within a faithful recreation of the beloved Warhammer 40,000 universe. Take charge of four factions in an epic story that spans multiple non-linear campaigns, clash with other players in tense multiplayer combat, and enjoy fan-favorite modes including Last Stand, Skirmish and more! 

Visit dawnofwar4.com for more details.  

About KING Art Games    

KING Art is an independent game developer, celebrating 25 years of experience in creating high-quality games for all major platforms. More than 100 employees across several teams are located at the offices in Bremen, Germany and work with about as many freelancers around the globe. Founded in 2000, KING Art has since released more than 50 titles in different genres, with a focus on narrative games, RPGs and strategy games. The company and its games have received multiple prestigious awards, including Best Strategy Game and Best Development Studio, multiple German “Games of the Year” and “Studio of the Year” awards. 
 
KING Art is a licensed developer for Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo platforms and member of Verband der deutschen Games-Branche (GAME). 

About PLAION   

PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.  

About Deep Silver   

Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com  

About Games Workshop® 

Games Workshop® Group PLC (LSE:GAW.L), based in Nottingham, UK, produces the best fantasy miniatures in the world. Games Workshop designs, manufactures, retails, and distributes its range of Warhammer®: Age of Sigmar® and Warhammer® 40,000® games, miniatures, novels, and model kits through more than 570 of its own stores (branded Games Workshop® or Warhammer®), the www.warhammer.com web store and independent retail channels in more than 50 countries worldwide. More information about Games Workshop and its other, related, brands and product ranges (including our publishing division ‘Black Library’ and our special resin miniatures studio ‘Forge World’) can be found at www.warhammer.com.

Sun-Sworn Lumina Joins Umbra in the First Major Content Drop for the New Sky-Based Adventure as Survivors Play Free This Weekend and Save 75% on the Base Game 

SEATTLE, WA – July 9, 2026 – Studio Wildcard today launched the first content update for ARK: Dragontopia, an all-new dragon-focused adventure for ARK: Survival Ascended, with the arrival of Lumina, a radiant celestial dragon and sun-sworn counterpart to the shadow-forged Umbra. Today’s arrival of Lumina expands the growing dragon ecosystem, with additional included content drops coming in October and December, culminating in a boundless, map-wide skyworld. 
ARK: Dragontopia is available to download now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and Steam PC.

And for gamers who have yet experienced ARK: Survival Ascended, there has never been a better time to jump in as beginning today, the game is free to play on Steam through Monday, July 14 at 10am pt, with the base game and most DLCs available for up to 75% off on Steam and Xbox.. 

When united in battle with her shadowedkin, their celestial synergy ignites, forging an unstoppable alliance of speed, armor, and destruction

Current ARK: Dragontopia content includes:

• Added Today! Lumina, Umbra’s sun-sworn counterpart, takes flight to restore celestial balance. Scatter brilliant celestial traps to punish pursuers, or bend light itself to vanish in a flash and outmaneuver any threat. When pushed to the brink, Lumina erupts into her ultimate sun-flare state – stripping away technological defenses and rising as a blazing sovereign of the clouds.
• Eclipsar Umbra, the legendary obsidian terror born to claim the night sky. Bound to your will through the mythic Dragon Horn, this shadow-forged executioner strikes with terrifying, unpredictable speed. Rain precision plasma from the cover of darkness, or slip through the void itself to ambush unsuspecting prey. 
• Dragon Skill Tree unlocks a brand-new progression path that lets you forge a deeper bond with your dragons. Push the limits of their gravity-defying acrobatics, amplify their shadow-forged plasma attacks, or tailor their defensive auras, as you shape the ultimate apex predator around your exact playstyle. 
• Drake Claw Grappler: Wield this essential new tool for high-altitude traversal and midair dragon mounting.
• Draconic Armor: Equip this cosmetic set and look every inch the legendary dragonrider. 
• Dragon Life: Many more dragons will be launching in the weeks and months ahead as part of this phased expansion, culminating in a massive skyworld map in December.

ARK: Dragontopia ($29.99) is an all-new premium expansion pass introducing Survivors to a vast aerial ecosystem where dragons rule the skies. To survive this new high-altitude frontier, you’ll need to grow through the Dragon Skill Trees, a new progression system built around strengthening your bond with these mythical beasts. Craft highly specialized gear and wield potent tools, and expand your base with a draconic tileset, incubator backpacks, and mysterious potion stations. 

The definitive survival experience returns better than ever with ARK: Survival Ascended! Create a Survivor, form a tribe, and then tame, train, breed & ride dinosaurs within a living ecosystem. ASA is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic Games Store and Steam.

For the latest updates, join the ARK Survivor’s conversation on Discord, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, visit our website at playark.com and watch us tame ‘n train leviathan dinosaurs on Twitch.TV.

ABOUT STUDIO WILDCARD
Since revealing its flagship game ARK: Survival Evolved in 2015, Studio Wildcard has tirelessly strived to bring its dinosaur-filled vision to the masses. With millions of players worldwide, the team has delivered an amazing amount of new content and leveraged cutting-edge technology to keep fans engaged. With a transmedia universe, the ARK story can be discovered on all gaming platforms, within spin-off titles, and now as a new epic narrative featuring a star-studded cast in ARK: The Animated Series on Paramount+. www.studiowildcard.com

Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe today announced the launch of Echoes of Aincrad, a brand-new Action JRPG set in the world of SWORD ART ONLINE, available on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam®.

As their own character jumping into “SWORD ART ONLINE”, the first VRMMORPG in the world, players will discover this game isn’t one when they find out that every logged in user is now stuck in the game with no apparent exit. Trapped in this dangerous video game where virtual death means death in the real world, players have to face the challenges of the stunning floating castle of Aincrad. While many prefer to hide, or start to turn on each other, the storyline follows the players’ character as they step in to free everyone, exploring breathtaking sceneries through quests and missions, overcoming epic fights against powerful enemies to escape these deadly virtual dungeons.

In Echoes of Aincrad, players can create their own character with a wide variety of options and truly be the hero of their own story. Customisation also continues as they level up and master their skills, managing their character attributes to build their own playstyle and become the ultimate hero of Aincrad. When survival is on the line, venturing alone could mean death at any moment, but players will be able to rely on a partner for their outings, with each of them boasting a different skill to support the player’s approach. Combat receives an added layer of strategy thanks to the switch mode, which allows their ally to step up and cover for the player or fight on their own terms, taking on their own enemies. Finally, in classic RPG fashion, players will have to learn the ropes, dodging, parrying and timing their actions perfectly to gain advantage and defeat those standing on their way to freedom.

Echoes of Aincrad is available today on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series XIS, and PC via Steam®.  

For more information about Echoes of Aincrad and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S.  

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

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

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

For more information, please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu 

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
©2020 REKI KAWAHARA/KADOKAWA CORPORATION/SAO-P Project
©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.