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Gaming News Round-Up For December 12, 2025

Alright, so today we have a special one. The Game Awards 2025 just happened, and there are a lot of announcements.

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Alright, so today we have a special one. The Game Awards 2025 just happened, and there are a lot of announcements.

Cave Crave Launches on SteamVR Today – 25% Off at Release

Cave Crave VR, the intense, tactile spelunking adventure previously released on Meta Quest and PSVR2 (75 000 copies sold), launches on SteamVR today with a 25% discount. The reduced price will be available for the first 14 days until December 26th at 7:00 PM CEST.

Cave Crave VR drops players into pitch-black passageways, tight squeezes, and vast underground chambers – brought to life on PC VR with enhanced lighting, dynamic water reflections, sharper textures, and richer atmosphere.

🧭 Game Modes included at Launch

  • Story Mode – A narrative-driven expedition with optional free-roam
  • Tourist Mode – Guided exploration for a more relaxed experience
  • Horror Mode – Claustrophobic, pitch-dark, and crawling with creatures…

All free updates (including Arcade Mode) released on Meta Quest will also arrive on SteamVR early next year.

🕳️ Explore Nutty Putty Cave in VR

The SteamVR version includes a faithfully rebuilt VR recreation of Nutty Putty Cave, created using official maps and data from rescuer Brandon Kowallis. Explore the sealed 2009 Utah cave with authentic traversal-walking, crawling, crouching, and climbing-while voice notes share its history.

🌬️ A Mind–Body Adventure

Cave Crave VR challenges players to stay aware and composed underground:

  • mark your own paths with chalk
  • manage breathing through tight spaces
  • maintain focus under pressure
  • use your tools to lead the way

🔗 Play Cave Crave VR on SteamVR

View on Steam

Spartan Afterlife Survival Game Dawn of Defiance Gains New Battles, Quests, Customization Options & More in Free Desert Reign Content Update

Brave the Temple of Poseidon and its formidable champions as a fully customizable god-like anti-hero

LONDON (Dec. 12, 2025) – Dawn of Defiance, a Greek mythology inspired open world survival crafting game set in the afterlife, today gains a major content update free to players who own the game. Forge your ascent from the ranks of common soldiers to a peerless god-like warrior while diving into the Desert Reign update, released today by publisher Fireshine Games and independent developer Traega Entertainment. Dawn of Defiance is available for $19.99 on Steam and Epic Games Store.

View on Steam

Desert Reign Features
 

  • Customize Your Anti-hero: Give your Spartan personality with an all-new character creator, featuring the long-awaited female player model and dozens of characterization options spanning hairstyles, face shapes, makeup and more. 
  • Defeat the Champions: Within the Temple of Poseidon, master the aqueducts, navigate the labyrinth and challenge the greatest of its champions: the Ironwake golem, Queen Nyssara and the minotaur known as Taurok, the Crownbreaker.
  • Wield the Trident: Through this raid, earn powerful new rewards including the legendary Spirit Bow of Artemis, the Stillblade of Aphrodite and the newly improved Trident of Poseidon, in addition to two new armor sets and three unique-tier weapons. 
  • Survive the Desert: With the overhaul of the Ancient Desert, prepare to face the devastating heat as you take on nine new shrine quests in the name of Aphrodite, Artemis and Demeter to unlock the gates of Poseidon’s Temple.
  • Control the Weather: Call upon the power of Demeter with the Kythera, a new facility granting you the ability to control the weather in the Mediterranean, plus a new, dedicated facility to craft inlays: the Arcanist bench.
  • Expand Your Skills: Desert Reign increases the skill cap to level 25, adding new level 10 and level 25 skill perks, plus the ability to raise your skill in Dash, Downward Strike and Fishing, along with the new Legendary skill which lets you maximize the potential of your strongest items.

Synth Riders Hits Nintendo Switch December 15 with Additional DLC Music Packs

The beat never stops as Synth Riders delivers its unique rhythm-driven gameplay and DLC to new audience, including Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance” song, making its video game debut

LOS ANGELES (December 12, 2025) – Kluge Interactive, an award-winning immersive game studio, today announced that Synth Riders will be launching on the Nintendo Switch on December 15, bringing the neon-soaked cyberpunk rhythm music game to new audiences. Adapted for the Nintendo Switch, Synth Riders offers the same thrilling rail-riding experience fans have come to love, with optimized gameplay mechanics and modes that capture the Switch’s capabilities. Synth Riders will launch with DLC music packs featuring Lady Gaga, Gorillaz, and more. Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance” song, making its video game debut, is included as part of the Lady Gaga DLC music pack.

“We’re very excited to bring Synth Riders to the Nintendo Switch on December 15,” said Arturo Perez, Founder and CEO, Kluge Interactive. “The Switch’s portability makes it the ideal home for Synth Rider’s gameplay, which we’ve optimized specifically for the console, including multiplayer showdowns that we hope will provide an unforgettable experience for players.”

In Synth Riders, players become a Synth Rider in an adrenaline-fueled musical battleground where every beat matters. In campaign mode, players must race against time to stop the ruthless XANDER from seizing control of the metropolis while smashing shapes, riding rails, and performing epic hoverboard air stunts with high precision and rhythm to an electrifying soundtrack. 

Synth Riders on the Nintendo Switch features an array of new and catalog songs and optimized mechanics, including:Music for Everyone: Synth Riders on the Nintendo Switch offers up to 64* electrifying tracks spanning several genres and features renowned artists, including Queen, Sia, Charli xcx, David Guetta ＆OneRepublic, Artemas, Wham!, Dance With The Dead, Sunset Neon, and Starcadian, with each song offering unique challenges to master.

Keep the Party Going: Available at launch, Synth Riders on the Nintendo Switch offers additional music tracks with exclusive DLC artist packs. DLC packs include: Lady Gaga Music Pack, Gorillaz Music Pack, Monstercat Music Pack, Synthwaves Essentials Vol. 3, Current Waves, and 80s Mixtape Side B. 


Switch Multiplayer Modes: The Switch’s portability and local multiplayer capabilities enable Synth Riders to offer even more thrilling game modes for up to four players. Compete head-to-head in versus mode or work together to ride the beat in couch co-op mode. 

Campaign Story Mode: Synth Riders on the Nintendo Switch comes with an adrenaline-fueled story mode where players have the fate of the cyberpunk city in their hands. Race against time to stop ruthless AI from seizing control and defeat XANDER on a musical battleground. 

Choose Your Synth Rider: In every mode, players can ride the rails in style and choose from three different avatars, plus various outfits and accessories to personalize their Synth Rider. 

Pricing and package options for Synth Riders include: 

  • The base game comes with 28 songs for $29.99.
  • The deluxe game comes with 42 songs and includes the Gorillaz and Lady Gaga DLC music packs for $39.99.
  • The ultimate game comes with 64 songs and includes all six DLC music packs for $69.99.
  • All DLC music packs can be purchased individually. Gorillaz Music Pack, Lady Gaga Music Pack and 80s Mixtape Side B each come with seven songs for $10.99; Monstercat Music Pack, Synthwaves Essentials Vol. 3 and Current Waves each come with five songs for $7.99.
     

For more information about Synth Riders, visit synthriders.gg or follow @SynthRidersGG on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

TOTAL WAR: WARHAMMER 40,000 ANNOUNCED

– NO PEACE IS POSSIBLE BETWEEN THE STARS. THERE IS ONLY WAR. –

To mark the end of Total War’s 25th anniversary celebrations, SEGA and The Creative Assembly Limited are happy to announce Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. Part of the iconic science fantasy framework created by Games Workshop, the game opens a revolutionary new chapter in the well-known strategy game franchise. 

The trailer for the game was presented at The Game Awards by the famous actor David Harbor (Stranger Things, Marvel Cinematic Universe), inveterate fan of the Warhammer 40,000 license and who will play a mysterious character who will soon be revealed. This video presents a dark and spectacular setting, where the vast armies of Humanity fight for their ruined empire in a galaxy ravaged by endless war.

EXPERIENCE TOTAL WAR IN THE 41ST MILLENNIUM

Total War takes place for the very first time in the distant future of Warhammer 40,000, which depicts a galaxy ravaged by countless conflicts, to enhance it with its emblematic mix of strategy and theatrical battles. You will evolve in a galactic sandbox to crush all competition. Dominate the planets and bend the galaxy to your will in an era of endless conquest and conflict.

The game aims to become the ultimate strategy experience for the Warhammer 40,000 universe, which over time will become a sprawling galactic battlefield populated by legendary heroes, evil war machines and particularly detailed worlds.

Main features:

  • Command four iconic factions: lead your campaigns across the galaxy with Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Orks or Aeldari, each with unique campaigns and playstyle. Your choices will shape every moment of war, whether you favor tactical precision, brute force, barbaric aggression, or psychic finesse.
  • Wage war on a galaxy scale: go on a crusade in an interstellar sandbox to take over planets and manage entire fleets while ensuring a stable economy, for total domination. Conquer entire worlds, bombard the enemy from orbit and command your troops in real time in cinematic battles. And if unfortunately you find your back against the wall, unleash the power of your apocalyptic weapons to eradicate entire planets!
  • Take part in devastating conflicts: command your armies in brutal tactical battles on war-torn worlds with destructible terrains and varied biomes. Deploy elite units and other devastating war machines and rely on powerful strategic capabilities to transform the battlefield.
  • Customize your war machine: for the first time in the Total War franchise, you will create an army that suits you. Choose several elements such as the name or colors of your units, up to iconography and futuristic war equipment. Define their characteristics, refine your tactics and bring down an wrath that only you will have the secret to the entire galaxy.

These elements are just an appetizer of what we have in store, and we will reveal more and more as the marketing campaign progresses. 

Here is finally a little message from the game director, Attila Mohácsi :

The science fantasy universe of WARHAMMER 40,000 is second to none. Its dizzying scale, iconic factions and fierce combat fit perfectly into the Total War franchise. We’ve been working with Games Workshop for 15 years now, and today we continue our partnership to deliver the ultimate Warhammer 40,000 strategic experience, just like other Total War: Warhammer games.”

Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000 will be released on PC, but will also mark the franchise’s debut on PlayStation®5 (PS5®) and Xbox Series X|S. Add it to your wishlist now! 

To follow the news of the title and other games Total War under development, go to www.totalwar.com and follow us on Facebook and X. Subscribe to the YouTube channel from Total War so you don’t miss any future gameplay videos.

Beastro serves first playable Steam demo at Day of the Devs and announces 2026 PS5 launch

Welcome to Palo Pori, a peaceful village full of artisans and taste experts, where not all heroes wield swords, but some prefer to reach for spoons.

When disaster is brewing behind the village walls, it’s up to Panko, a talented young chef, to send his community and the brave keepers who protect them, well-strengthened, on the next adventure. 

In Beastro Players* flick, turn and fry their way through charming cooking mini-games. They also grow fresh ingredients, serve villagers, and prepare strategic meals to strengthen their adventurous allies. Each dish they create becomes a powerful card in a tasteful deck-building combat system played out in a theatrical puppet show.

In Beastro begins saving the world with a good meal.

Prepare to make a feast and support the heroes of Palo Pori when Beastro 2026 released for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. For more information, see  https://www.beastro.game 

Further links 

Beastro: TikTok 
Beastro: Instagram   

Timberline Studio: X
Timberline Studio: Bluesky
Timberline Studio: YouTube  

Special Shoutout to: The Blades of the Goddess Trilogy by Liz Sauco

Author Website
Author Bluesky
Author Instagram

The science fiction thriller ONTOS announced during The Game Awards 2025

– Frictional Games reveals its new and amazing narrative mystery that will arrive in 2026 on PC and consoles –

The video game distributor and creative studio Kepler Interactive and Frictional Games, the independent developer known for SOMA and the Penumbra and Amnesia sagas, have today revealed their new project ONTOS, a science fiction mystery thriller coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S next year. With the participation of the Golden Globe winner Stellan Skarsgård in its talented cast, ONTOS has been developed as a spiritual successor to the acclaimed SOMA by the talented Swedish developer, taking its immersive gameplay systems and unparalleled storytelling and world-building to a new level.

In ONTOS– Players will become Aditi Amani, an insightful engineer, as she explores Samsara, a converted hotel complex, in search of the truth about her missing father. Samsara is a vast labyrinth built on the ruins of a failed mining colony, and players will explore this open and interconnected environment in their search for truth. Every corner of Samsara tells a story, and every story has something hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered…

Players will search the surface for useful items, manipulate complex machinery, and face intense tests of morality while encountering horrific experiments throughout Samsara. There is no «one solution» for the obstacles that players will encounter ONTOS. And to do this, players will have to use their cunning and ingenuity to solve the mysterious narrative twists and face the consequences of their decisions.

«After over 10 years of development, it’s incredibly exciting to finally announce ONTOS. “This is easily our most ambitious project to date in terms of scope, production values and pure thematic ambition»”, he says Thomas Grip, creative director and co-founder of Frictional Games. «While SOMA it addressed consciousness, ONTOS it aims to do the same with the very nature of reality. A lofty goal, yes, and a risky one, too. However, I think we have managed to create something that does just that: a game that allows you to actively interact with the mysteries of existence fully. Personally, I’m dying to see how the players react».

Developed with its own new engine, HPL4, Frictional Games’ most provocative work to date will launch in collaboration with Kepler Interactive, the distributor behind a carefully curated collection of culturally resonant, bold and timeless games, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Rematch, Sifu, Pacific Drive and Ultros. «Kepler is always drawn to teams like Frictional Games that share our passion for creativity and art that feels alive. ONTOS it’s bold, disturbing and wonderfully strange. It’s the kind of project that manages to capture the magic of real Hollywood authors and talent, who come together in this case to explore the strange and tell a story that could only exist in video games», he says Alexis Garavaryan, CEO of Kepler Interactive.

ONTOS it had already been previewed in September 2025 through an innovative and immersive ARG (Alternate Reality Game) made in collaboration with Kepler Interactive, the global publishing partner of ONTOS. Through a mysterious little clue found in the 10th anniversary update of SOMA on PC, players were able to discover a series of social media accounts, websites and strange messages that led them to reveal some early previews of the philosophical themes of the story and the locations of ONTOS.  

Players can Wishlist ONTOS now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S ahead of its release in 2026. For more information, visit: www.ontosgame.com. 

Nintendo Download: Do Raccoons Dream of Ultimate Sheep?

his week’s Nintendo Download includes the following content:

  • Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2:
    • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition – Embark on a legendary open-world adventure! With over 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim redefined open-world fantasy over a decade ago. Now, experience the full adventure like never before with the Anniversary Edition. Enjoy enhanced performance for the Nintendo Switch 2 system: Updated visuals, improved load times and optimized performance. This version includes the critically acclaimed base game and the three official expansions: Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available now on Nintendo eShop.
    • Ultimate Sheep Raccoon – Build chaotic bike-racing courses with friends as a cast of silly barnyard animals in Ultimate Sheep Raccoon – the spiritual successor to the wild party platformer Ultimate Chicken Horse. In this party game, you can add obstacles, ramps and dangerous traps, then crash your way to the finish line while collecting power-ups, dodging hazards and pulling off sick tricks. Choose from returning critters like Chicken, Horse, Sheep and Raccoon, or meet a new crew of barnyard buddies, and engage in races for up to eight players locally1 and online2. You can even build your own levels, share them online and put together custom playlists. Ultimate Sheep Raccoon is available now on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems.
    • Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – Made in partnership with Games Workshop, this story-rich classical RPG from Owlcat Games is coming to Nintendo Switch 2! Begin your adventure aboard your giant personal voidship, traveling between the multitude of systems within the Koronus Expanse – a barely charted and incredibly perilous region of space. During quests, show your subjects mercy or disdain, stay faithful to the God-Emperor, or consort with enemies of Mankind. Your every decision and act, even in character creation, changes the in-game open world and those who inhabit it. Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader will be available later today on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics:
    • Wario World – Go on a garlic-fueled rampage in this action title originally released for the Nintendo GameCube system in 2003! Wario’s journey begins with a promise of vengeance against a powerful and cursed black jewel that’s warped his castle and nabbed his treasure. Defeat enemies, collect coins and treasures, and rescue Spritelings trapped in boxes as you progress through four stages. Wario’s got some mighty powerful moves, like Wild Swing-Ding and Piledriver, that aren’t just good for attacking – they’re also slick at clearing path-blocking traps! Wario World is available now for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members on Nintendo Switch 2.

DLC:

  • Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC – Mysterious distortions start appearing without warning in Lumiose City and you, the talented donut chef Ansha, and the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa must work together to transform them into portals leading to Hyperspace Lumiose! Beware, the unusual Pokémon who call Hyperspace Lumiose home are quite different, with hyperspace levels that can make their total levels exceed the normal limit of 100. You’ll also encounter new Mega Evolutions including Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y, Mega Zeraora, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur! The Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC3 is available now.

Nintendo Music:

  • Nintendo Music 2025: Year in Review – Wondering which tracks defined your year? For a limited time, you can view your “2025 Year in Review” on the Nintendo Music4 app to revisit your most-played songs and playlists, and more. “Nintendo Music 2025: Year in Review” will only be available until Monday, Jan. 5 at 4:59 p.m. PT, so be sure to open the app on your smart device to review your year today! For more info, visit: https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/nintendo-music/.
  • Sounds Woven Together – This tale continues to unravel! The Yoshi’s Crafted World soundtrack has spun its way to Nintendo Music. Wrap yourself up in tracks like “Main Theme,” “Go for the Flower!” and “Ducking through Danger.”
  • New Year, New Playlists – Get nostalgic! Before you gear up for the new year, shift it in reverse for a short while with two new playlists on Nintendo Music. Both the 2024 Selects and 2025 Selects playlists have been carefully curated to highlight some of the most memorable Nintendo music from their respective years.

Activities:

  • Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Island + Emerald Rush DLC Event – Dig the Beat – The next monthly limited-time event in the DK Island + Emerald Rush paid DLC for the Donkey Kong Bananza game is almost here! During the “Dig the Beat” event, you’ll pulverize a path through the rocky caverns of “Landfill Layer” for a chance to collect statues of Ninja Kong and Ghastly King, who previously appeared in the Donkey Kong Jungle Beat game for Nintendo GameCube. Have a smashing time! This event will take place from Dec. 16 at 12 a.m. PT to Dec. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
  • F-ZERO 99 1.7.0 Update – Prepare for new challenges and more in the latest update for the F-ZERO 99 game! Until Jan. 19, players can take part in the Frozen Tour Event, where all tracks in the game will be covered in snow, and collect Gem Sparks to get event-exclusive rewards. This update also adds three new Secret Tracks that will occasionally appear in the F-ZERO 99 and Mini Prix modes, and Lucky Tokens that allow you to play Lucky Ranks. Pilots can also check out the new music player, new backdrops that can be used to customize their Pilot Cards, as well as the new Elite leaderboard!

Nintendo eShop sales on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2:

Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch 2:

Also new this week on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch:

For news and updates on all things Nintendo, you can also check out the free Nintendo Today! smart-device app. Whether it’s news about games, info about your favorite characters, or videos and comic strips — you’ll get personalized fun every day.

Guild Wars 2 Trailer at The Game Awards Invites Players to Join the Thriving MMORPG

Latest Expansion ‘Visions of Eternity’ Outperforming its Predecessors

BELLEVUE, WA – December 11, 2025 – Today ArenaNet® released a new Guild Wars 2® trailer showcasing the vast world of Tyria and welcoming online social space of the beloved and critically-acclaimed MMORPG.  Hot on the heels of the game’s sixth expansion, Visions of EternityTM, Guild Wars 2 has seen a surge in new and concurrent players in 2025, picking up interest from streamers and fans across the MMORPG landscape, and closing its 13th year of operation by hitting its all-time peak player concurrency on Steam in Q4. 

The expansion launched on October 28 and has outperformed last year’s Janthir Wilds expansion in sales revenue. It brought new elite specializations for each of the game’s nine professions and a new storyline to provide the launch pad for adventure in a never-before seen land hidden in the hazy past of the Guild Wars® franchise’s history. Alongside a new homestead map to widen player housing options and new skills for the aquatic skimmer mount, Guild Wars 2 continues to be further expanded by building on the game’s rich philosophy of player expression and horizontal progression, cementing it as one of the most enduring and beloved PC games of all time. 

Earlier this week ArenaNet celebrated its 25-year anniversary by releasing a documentary film in partnership with Second Wind. Full of behind-the-scenes footage from the studio archive, the documentary chronicles the making of the Guild Wars franchise and its influence on video games across two decades. 

Visions of Eternity is available on Steam and through the official Guild Wars 2 site for $24.99. ArenaNet plans to release additional content for Visions of Eternity at no extra charge to players throughout 2026, including various quality of life enhancements and additional legendary gear to earn.

For more information about Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity, please visit the official web site.

Capcom Announces Mega Man™: Dual Override at The Game Awards 2025

The Blue Bomber Teleports to Consoles and PC in 2027

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 11, 2025 – Today at The Game Awards 2025, Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, unveiled Mega Man™: Dual Override, the twelfth mainline installment in the classic Mega Man™ series. The iconic franchise will make its highly anticipated return in 2027 when the all-new action platformer launches for Nintendo Switch™ 2, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.

This month, Capcom will host a special boss design contest for Mega Man: Dual Override where fans will have the chance to help Dr. Wily create a brand-new Robot Master to appear in the game. For details on how to enter, check out the contest’s official website and trailer.
 
In 2027, Capcom will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Mega Man series. The Blue Bomber first began busting bots in 1987 and instantly captivated players with rewarding gameplay, colorful characters, and rockin’ music. Since then, the franchise has sold more than 43 million units worldwide and jumped beyond the world of games into comics, TV series, and more.
 
To celebrate today’s reveal, Mega Man™ 11 will receive a special discount on digital storefronts over the coming days. For a limited time, players can look forward to picking up the acclaimed title on sale for under $5 USD via the PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store, and Steam. Mega Man 11 is also expanding its arsenal of language options. Brazilian Portuguese and Latin American Spanish speakers can look forward to new localizations in an update going live later tonight.
 
To learn more about Mega Man: Dual Override, visit the official website. For the latest updates and everlasting peace, follow the Mega Man social accounts on Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook.

Special Shoutout to LouArtStuff

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HITMAN World of Assassination unveils Blockbuster Actress Star Milla Jovovich as its next celebrity Elusive Target, set to release in February 2026

The current HITMAN WOA Elusive Target mission starring Eminem vs. Slim Shady is playable for free until December 31st on all platforms

Copenhagen, Denmark, December 12th, 2025 – IO Interactive, the independent video game developer and publisher behind, among others, the internationally acclaimed HITMAN franchise, announced today the newest member to the roster of celebrity Elusive Target, with Milla Jovovich being the latest addition. The Hollywood star took the stage at the Game Awards to introduce her new character, Lilith Devereux, the ambitious and mysterious prospective CEO of Ether Corporation. The new Elusive Target mission will be available globally for free in February 2026 on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, ROG Xbox Ally X, ROG Xbox Ally, PC, Nintendo Switch™*, Nintendo Switch™2, iPhone, iPad.

“I am very excited to join the world of Assassination! I am stepping into an amazing character with Lilith; she is dangerous, she has ambition, and a dark secret. I can’t wait for HITMAN fans to step into this new mission and uncover her story,” stated Milla Jovovich.

“After a surreal Eminem vs. Slim Shady mission, we wanted to surprise our community with another unforgettable collaboration. Milla Jovovich will bring a unique intensity to her character, and this mission is packed with mystery, I am sure our fans will enjoy this one in just a few weeks.” said Hakan Abrak, CEO at IO Interactive.

In this new mission, Agent 47 is tasked with the elimination of Lilith Devereux, the ambitious prospective CEO of Ether Corporation. A relative newcomer in the world of the high and mighty, Devereux’s rapid ascent has followed the mysterious deaths of her predecessor Neleis De Waal and chief scientists Silvio Caruso and Francesca De Santis. Her meteoric rise has been generously supported by Gregory Carlisle. For this mission, Agent 47 will visit the Carlisle Estate, based in the Dartmoor location, where tensions will reach a breaking point. 

Before taking off for Dartmoor, players can still play the unique Eminem vs. Slim Shady Elusive Target mission, accessible for free for all players on all platforms, until the 31st of December. Taking place in a Hokkaido medical facility transformed into the Popsomp Hills Asylum, Agent 47 is tasked by Eminem to take down his alter ego, Slim Shady, once and for all. The Eminem vs. Slim Shady, a brand new DLC pack themed after the latest Elusive Target, is also available for a limited time only, starting today and until the end of the mission, on December 31st, on all platforms.

HITMAN World of Assassination is available now for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, ROG Xbox Ally X, ROG Xbox Ally, PC, Nintendo Switch™*, Nintendo Switch™2, iPhone, iPad, and playable in VR on PS VR2 and PC VR. The Eminem vs. Slim Shady DLC Pack is available until the 31st of December 2025, for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99 on every platform. 

To learn more about HITMAN World of Assassination, please visit the official website, or follow news on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

* The Free Starter pack is unavailable on Nintendo Switch™ and Nintendo Switch™2, players on those platforms will need to own HITMAN World of Assassination to play the Elusive Target.

IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios unveil Global Superstar Lenny Kravitz as The Pirate King Bawma in 007 FIRST LIGHT, launching March 27, 2026

007 First Light – Collector’s Edition is available to pre-order now, including a wearable Lifesize Mask Replica

Copenhagen, Denmark – December 11th, 2025 – IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally-acclaimed HITMAN franchise, and Amazon MGM Studios announced that Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz has joined the ensemble cast of 007 First Light as The Pirate King Bawma, the charismatic and unpredictable leader of a powerful black-market arms network. Featuring the likeness and voiceover work from Lenny Kravitz in a video game for the first time, Bawma will be a figure who blurs the line between ally and adversary in Bond’s journey. 007 First Light is set to release on March 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ROG Ally X, Xbox ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2*, and PC, and is available for pre-order, including the newly announced Collector’s Edition. Additionally, players who pre-order 007 First Light will get upgraded to the 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition for free, granting a 24-hour Early Access**, as well as exclusive in-game skins and outfits.

“The Bond franchise has such an incredible legacy in video games, so to step into it with a brand-new character like Bawma is amazing,” shared Lenny Kravitz. “He’s magnetic and unpredictable, there’s danger in him, but also heart and purpose. He’s not just a man with power; he is a man who has to fight for every inch of it. Bringing that energy into 007’s world felt incredible.”

During The Game Awards, the Pirate King Bawma appeared in a brand-new trailer, holding James Bond as well as Bond’s mentor at MI6, John Greenway, in a delicate situation, aiming to remove any outside interference. Lenny Kravitz takes on the role of Bawma, providing both the voice and physical likeness of the character, his first major performance in a video game. Bawma is the enigmatic leader of Aleph, a vast black-market arms network operating across the Western hemisphere. By 17, he had risen through the ranks of modern piracy, transforming an abandoned ship graveyard in Mauritania into the foundation of his empire. 

“Lenny brings an extraordinary presence to 007 First Light,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO at IO Interactive. “He is a one-of-a-kind performer, with unbelievable charisma, who fits perfectly with the character of Bawma. He captured exactly what we envisioned: a formidable man who commands both fear and loyalty, which will have a profound impact on Bond’s journey into the world of espionage.”

IO Interactive also unveiled 007 First Light – Collector’s Edition, which is now available for pre-order for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for $199.99, €199,99, £169.99 (SRP). It includes the full game, the Deluxe Edition content, the Obsidian Gold Suit outfit, a wearable Mask Lifesize Replica, a Certificate of Authenticity, and a Steel Case with Magnet.

007 First Light is available to pre-order on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2*, on Amazon.com, as well as for PC on Steam and Epic Games Store for $69.99, €69.99, £59.99 (SRP). Players who pre-order any edition of 007 First Light will get upgraded to the 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition for free, which includes a 24-hour early access**. 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition will be available at launch for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ROG Ally X, Xbox ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2, and for PC for $79.99, €79.99, £69.99 (SRP).

007 First Light – Legacy Edition is available for pre-order on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for $299.99, €299,99, £259.99 (SRP). It includes the full game, the Deluxe Edition content, an Exclusive Golden Gun weapon skin, the Obsidian Gold Suit outfit, a Golden Gun Figurine with Stand & Secret Compartment, a Certificate of Authenticity, and a Steel Case with Magnet.

007 First Light – Specialist Edition is offered exclusively on Amazon.com, featuring standout and unique packaging for the game’s case, as well as an exclusive original outfit for Bond, the Classic Tux, for even more flair.   

007 First Light is scheduled to launch on March 27, 2026. Pre-order details can be found at https://ioi.dk/007firstlightgame. 

For more information, please visit our official website: 007FirstLightGame.com or follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Facebook, Threads, Reddit, Bluesky, and YouTube.

Lords of the Fallen II First Gameplay Revealed in New Brutal, Bloodsoaked Trailer at The Game Awards

LOS ANGELES – Dec. 11, 2025 – Independent developer and publisher CI Games has revealed the very first look at gameplay of the highly anticipated action-RPG Lords of the Fallen II as part of The Game Awards (TGA). The hard-hitting new trailer, featuring a cover of “It’s a Sin” by chart-topping rock band Ghost, illustrates the game’s brutal soulslike combat against an array of fearsome, towering creatures amid an expansive world characterized by its trademark dual realms. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Lords of the Fallen II launches in 2026 on the PlayStation®5 system, the Xbox Series X|S console systems, PC via the Epic Games Store, and is available to wishlist now.

Lords of the Fallen II, currently in active development, is a new soulslike action-RPG set in a human realm besieged by eons of malevolent gods, visceral magic, and unflinching defenders. 1,000 years after the fall of the dark god Adyr, a lone kingdom stands against the forces of the dead realm known as Umbral and its eldritch master.
 

This eagerly awaited sequel is bolder, braver, and bloodier. As the Lampbearer, players can rend enemies limb from limb with a brand new dismemberment feature and silence them forever with all-new executions in a fast and fluid combat system. An even greater wealth of enemy types and truly jaw-dropping boss battles will test even the strongest in solo play or best-in-class shared progression co-op and optional PvP multiplayer. Witness a first look at three fearsome bosses in this first gameplay reveal, including the metal-encased Heartroot Warden and his chain-wrapped greatsword, the bewinged Koydreth striking from his rune-etched mirror, and the colossal dragon Lingao the Souring Storm harnessing the power of wind and lightning.
 

“We are excited to share this first gameplay look for Lords of the Fallen II at the TGAs,” said Game Director, James Lowe. “Designed and developed in accordance with our players-first philosophy, we look forward to seeing the community’s reaction to the faster and more brutal combat, the significantly greater enemy variety, and the more spectacular boss battle showdowns. And this is just the beginning…”

Lords of the Fallen (2023) Version 2.5 Update
 

To satiate fans as they wait for the release of Lords of the Fallen II, CI Games has released the final major update for Lords of the Fallen (2023). Version 2.5 introduces extensive reworks to enemy and boss behavior across both Legacy and the all-new Veteran Mode, and more:
 

  • Bosses Reborn: With combat now faster, tighter, and more aggressive, bosses, mini-bosses, and enemies throughout the game have received extensive behavior updates across both Legacy and Veteran mode, to increase the soulslike challenge. Bosses like Pieta feature refined combos and increased moveset variation while the Congregator of Flesh has received less staggering and tighter pacing. Mini-bosses will pressure players further with faster attacks, smarter positioning, and cooldown logic, while normal enemies go a step further with a new global cooldown system adding to their aggression, alongside faster spell recovery, and reduced attack distance.
  • Veteran Mode: Beyond these refinements lies Veteran Mode — the ultimate test of skill and endurance. Here, many of Mournstead’s bosses have been further empowered with faster transitions, new attack patterns, and even more aggressive behavior. Those that conquer veteran mode will earn a final reward – the Veteran of the Veil breastplate with a unique item drop buff.
  • Boss Weapons Reforged: Several boss weapons now feature new signature attack animations.

Version 2.5 is the culmination of over 70 updates forged through the feedback of more than 6 million players. For full patch notes, visit the official news feed.
 

CEO Marek Tyminski added, “We’ve been actively listening and engaging with our community since launch. This is exactly what they’ve been asking for and we’re delighted to provide it free for all owners – the final major update and the ultimate representation of our vision for Lords of the Fallen.”
 

CI Games will share more details in 2026 for Lords of the Fallen II ahead of its global launch. As fans wait for the sequel, new Lords of the Fallen (2023) players can enjoy a limited time discount of 50% off ($14.99, €14.99, £12.49) on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, the PlayStation®5 system, and the Xbox Series X|S console systems.
 

For more game information visit the official Lords of the Fallen website. Fans can also follow on YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, Reddit, or join the official Discord.

To learn more about CI Games, visit the official company website.

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