Glad to see Capcom's cooking streak continues. And with a new franchise...
Pragmata is a third-person "sci-fi action adventure" and it's landing top scores across the board.
GameSpot - 90%
IGN - 80%
Game Informer - 80%
GamesRadar - 80%
Eurogamer - 80%
Out April 17 on PC, PS5, Switch 2, Xbox X|S
Had to do a double-take. Thought this was a @marathonthegame.bungie.net NuCaloric ad.
tbh after about 100 hours of grinding you might need this
It promises exclusive loot, sealed frozen vaults, security puzzles, and new PVE enemy forms.
How ready do you feel two weeks after launch?
Creative lead Steve Cotton also cautioned, "If you're not ready to take your best stuff, you're not gonna survive. It's like a heist for a runner..."
Requirements? Be level 25, have all factions unlocked, and bring a minimum value loadout of 5,000 credits to run Cryo.
Marathon's new, fourth map Cryo Archive is imminent and not for the faint of heart. Likely inspired by Destiny's dungeons and raids.
Game director Joe Ziegler warns, "Surviving will be a challenge for even the most prepared... [It's] a pinnacle challenge in more ways than one."
Ghost of Yotei's separate, free, co-op multiplayer mode "Legends" launches tomorrow, March 10.
I absolutely loved the mode in Tsushima. They are even bringing back the "hardcore" raid:
..."you actually need four players to complete it."
To state the obvious: free-to-play PVP shooters are wildly popular. Arc Raiders is a rare, immense success as a new, paid shooter with PVP.
❕NOTE: Concurrents are a live snapshot of real-time players on PC, not total unique players or purchased copies. Arc Raiders has sold upwards of 15MM copies since launch.
Additionally, total player counts are often 50% or more on consoles.
Tired of Marathon charts about Steam concurrents? Me too, but here's one with relevant context.
Marathon vs. Paid PVP Shooters (Steam-only)
📊Average concurrents since March 5 launch.
- Arc Raiders --> 155K
- Marathon --> 60K
- Battlefield 6 --> 44K
- Hunt: Showdown -->16K
What do you want the next-gen Xbox console and platform to be?
When do you think it could release?
Xbox has announced its next-gen console(s): "Project Helix."
No doubt a rebirth of the 2016 codename, which aimed to better unify Xbox and Windows PC as one.
Newly crowned @Xbox CEO Asha Shar touted, "[it] will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games."
- Nightfall (season 2 name) brings nighttime version of Dire Marsh map... hints at enemy variation or type?
- Seasons last about 3 months
- Ranked arrives second half of March 2026
- Season 2 introduces new "cradle system," designed to give you more autonomy over stats
Marathon opens up about launch plans, Season 1 and teases Season 2. A few things that stood out to me:
- 28 weapons
- Outpost, 3rd map, locked until day after launch (for leveling)
- Cryo Archive, pinnacle 4th map with puzzles, is a "community unlock" activity
(Cont'd)
Highguard is getting a final "goodbye patch" as it announces servers will shut down on March 12.
- New character
- New weapon
- Account progression
- Skill trees
Dev. Wildlight said, "Since launch, more than 2 million players stepped into Highguard’s world. ... For that, we are deeply grateful."
- Twitch drops
- Loot rewards; bank bonuses for full game
- Cross-play / cross-save
- No pre-load
- Server test focused; resets, maintenance, etc.
Marathon's free demo weekend launches imminently. A brief guide:
- Feb. 26, 10 AM PT --> March 2, 10 AM PT
- Steam (PC), PS5, Xbox S | X
- Progress does NOT carry over to full game
- 2 maps (of 4 currently known)
- 5 of 6 characters to try
... (cont'd)
Highguard released a content update, a sign of life as it rolls into a critical weekend.
Wildlight: "...we aim to bring a new game mode focused on the Raid experience, as well as some balance adjustments to weapons, among other things."
More store updated: some owlbear mount and airship attire.
We know, from documents stolen during the 2023 Insomniac Games hack, that Bluepoint had pitched an original high-fantasy IP, perhaps in the style of Dark Souls.
It's readily available on Imgur. Similarly, the leaked environment shots of work on the canceled God of War live-service title.
Savvy ex-Retro Studios staff helped form Bluepoint in the early 2000s. The team’s technical excellence led to a custom engine and:
- Blast Factor PS3 | 2006
- Titanfall 1 Xbox 360 (Port) | 2014
- MGS HD Collection Remasters | 2011
- Shadow of the Colossus Remake | 2018
- Demon’s Souls Remake | 2020
PlayStation is closing Bluepoint.
How we went from the talented studio making one of the most highly rated PlayStation 5 titles to its closure is profane.
Live-service bets likely played a part. BP was tasked w/ the canceled God of War multiplayer game.
Via Bloomberg @jasonschreier.bsky.social
He also discussed how their "Creation" game engine has progressed to 3.0 and that they are "happy where they've pushed the technology and... we're able to play [Elder Scrolls 6]... We're about to pass a big milestone internally."
The Elder Scrolls 6 release is "going to be a while yet..."
This, according to Bethesda Studios' Todd Howard. @kindafunnyvids.bsky.social interviewed studio head today.
The majority of the 500-person studio is on the game along with partners.
...Jake Baldino (cont'd)
"It's just letting the solid mechanics and good pixel art speak for itself. There are better Metroidvanias out there, but... as a 2D take on the God of War formula, there is a lot to like."
It's a new retro-style story of Kratos' youth from Sony Santa Monica.
Gameranx's @jakebaldino.com says, "...so far it seems to be a well-made game. Puzzles are fun... decent amount of exploration... only problem is there's no big [flashy] hook..."
PlayStation just shadow dropped God of War: Sons of Sparta
Gameranx's @jakebaldino.com says in Before You Buy: "...as a 2D take on the God of War formula, there is a lot to like."
Of the 5,000+ PS store user reviews, it's sitting at a 4.65 out of 5-star rating.
Vid: MKIceAndFire
Want to see what awards look like when the developers, publishers and industry chooses winners?
What will the Academy’s DICE Awards GOTY be?
Nominees:
- Arc Raiders
- Blue Prince
- Expedition 33
- Dispatch
- Ghost of Yotei
Watch: www.youtube.com/live/5zAPvhm...
🔵Kena: Scars of Kosmora – 2026
🟧Control Resonant – 2026
🔵Crimson Moon – Late 2026
🟧Project Windless RPG – TBA
🔵Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse – 2026
🟧Yakoh Shinobi Ops – 2027
🔵John Wick – TBA
🔵Death Stranding 2 (PC) – March 19
🟧Saros – April 30 (48 early edition; April 28)
🔵4: Loop – 2026 (w/ Playtest: Spring)
🟧007: First Light – May 27
🔵Beast of Reincarnation – Aug. 4
🟧Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls – Aug. 6
🔵Metal Gear Solid: ... Collection Vol. 2 – Aug. 27
🟧Silent Hill: Townfall – 2026
Release date recap from PlayStation State of Play today.
🔵God of War Sons of Sparta – Out Now
🟧God of War Trilogy Remake – TBA
🔵Resident Evil: Requiem – Feb. 27
🟧Marathon (Free Preview) – Feb. 26 - March 2
🔵Marathon – March 5
🟧Ghost of Yotei Legends (Free DLC) – March 10
Wildlight continued, "We're proud of the team, talent, and the product we've created together. We're also grateful for players who gave the game a shot, and those who continue to be a part of our community."
