Welcome to the first News Round Up for the New Year! We have a lot of good stuff today. We have a LOT of stuff to showcase, as well as some stuff from my friends at GamingTrend. There are a few new segments too, so keep your eyes peeled. As a reminder for anyone new here, I only post what stands out to me.
GamingTrend
So there is a whole new look to the website! So be sure to go check it out.
GamingTrend announces new Editor’s Choice Award
You are going to want to read this. We have a new award to give people, and I think this is pretty well done.
We keep on looking for ways to improve GamingTrend (You may notice a few new things around the site right now, even!), and we’ve been working on this for quite a while! Introducing the new GamingTrend Editor’s Choice Award:
Mark Julian – Lorcana deckbuilding guide: Ruby Steel Gargoyles
Check out this guide by Mark. If you play Lorcana, you’ll want to check this out.
The thing I love most about Lorcana is playing the game with my favorite characters. When it comes to making a deck, I want the deck to be thematic and ideally made entirely of one Disney property. This can be hard to do when new properties are just added to the game, or if that particular movie or show isn’t well represented yet across the Lorcana chapters. It’s also not a great strategy for winning in the competitive scene. However, for playing with friends, I find thematic decks really boost my enjoyment of the game. If you’re like me, follow along as I try to wrangle together a Gargoyles deck with the latest Whispers in the Well set.
The GamingTrend 2026 Most Anticipated video game list!
Everyone came together for this list.
Now playing on GamingTrend YouTube
Torchlight: Infinite Gets Revamped Gameplay and Visual Upgrades in Upcoming Season
SS11 Vorax ushers in an enhanced Torchlight: Infinite experience and a brand new Hero Trait
Shanghai, China — January 9, 2026 | XD Games is excited to reveal more details about the upcoming Torchlight: Infinite season, SS11 Vorax, coming 15 January.
As outlined in the SS11 Vorax preview video, this new season introduces a whole host of gameplay tweaks. Players can defeat monsters that have been infected with Vorax Syndrome, earning the seasonal currency, Vorax Substance. With Vorax Substance, players can access Surgical Preparation to manage six Incubation Tanks; manipulate monster quantity, rarity and activity; and leverage family-specific mechanics and Incubation Elixirs to maximise Ultimate Activity, which directly scales loot rewards. Reward tiers are determined by players battling in a dedicated arena with their custom-engineered monsters and filling Antidote Vials.
Players looking for more of a challenge – and higher value loot – can look to the optional Netherrealm enhancers, Scalpels. Scalpels increase encounter difficulty without consuming Compass slots, significantly amplifying reward-scaling by introducing more elites and Scavengers. Other new mechanics and systems include the Grafting system, which uses Vorax Limbs as exclusive crafting bases with unrestricted affix rules; Core Organ extraction, which allows up to two Legendary mods per item without slot limits; and Vorax Corrosion, which enables endgame gambling to push affixes to Tier 0 / Tier 0 Plus.
Additionally, this update will include a multitude of visual upgrades that promise an enhanced experience for Torchlight: Infinite players. Icons have been redesigned for visual clarity; the UI is now more readable than before; and combat VFX has been tweaked, leading to more dynamic battles. Many monster and hero models have been revamped, too, such as Rehan, Carino, and Gemma.
New CODE VEIN II Trailer Reveals The Blinded Resurgence Offspring
Bandai Namco reveals The Blinded Resurgence Offspring in the latest CODE VEIN II character trailer. A lamentable creature whose vision has long since faded, The Blinded Resurgence Offspring wields a great Katana, striking the Revenant Hunter with unseen swiftness.
Limited Run Games Brings Capcom® Arcade Stadium Vol.1 to Console, Featuring Two Decades of Classics, Thirty Games, and Five Collectible Covers!
Big Games, Small Package, Incredible Value, and No Coins Required!
Apex, North Carolina – January 9, 2026 – Limited Run Games, a premium publisher of digital and physical video games, announced today that Capcom® Arcade Stadium Vol. 1 is breaking free from the arcade and coming to consoles via physical release, with pre-orders starting today, January 9, and will be open until February 8!
Featuring no less than thirty legendary coin-op classics, Capcom Stadium Vol.1 features an embarrassment of arcade riches, essential for any discerning arcade addict or fan of Capcom’s unparalleled classic gaming legacy.
Arriving on PlayStation®4, Nintendo® Switch, and Xbox X|S, gamers have an unmissable opportunity to own a physical version of these arcade gems. When purchasing, fans can choose from five collectible covers, each depicting iconic arcade artwork. Choose between the multi-game, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts™, Captain Commando™, Final Fight™, or Strider™ covers, and even with a mammoth thirty games to play, it may turn out that picking your favorite cover will be the hardest challenge of all!
In addition to the gorgeous cover artwork, all versions of the game include a collectible eight-page booklet with information detailing some of Capcom’s most prestigious arcade hits over the decades.
A beautiful interface awaits gamers, presenting them with their virtual arcade from which they can choose which classic to fire up first. With established favorites and hidden gems yet to discover, the complete list of games included is as follows:
Dawn of the Arcade (1984 – 1988):
1942™, 1943: The Battle of Midway™, Bionic Commando™, Commando™, Forgotten Worlds™, Ghosts ‘n Goblins™, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts™, Legendary Wings™, Pirate Ship Higemaru™, Section Z™.
Arcade Revolution (1989 – 1992):
1941: Counter Attack™, Captain Commando™, Carrier Air Wing™, Dynasty Wars™, Final Fight™, Mega Twins™, Mercs™, Street Fighter II™, Strider™, Varth: Operation Thunderstorm™.
Arcade Evolution (1992 – 2001):
19XX: The War Against Destiny™, 1944: The Loop Master™, Armored Warriors™, Battle Circuit™, Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness™, Giga Wing™, Progear™, Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting™, Super Street Fighter II Turbo™, Warriors of Fate™.
Ported with extreme care to home consoles, each title offers true arcade authenticity. At the same time, gamers can also choose from a wealth of features designed for modern gaming audiences, tailored to their personal preferences.
Fully customizable display settings introduce scanlines to better match the CRT displays of yesteryear. Gamers can also rewind or adjust the speed of their games, as well as instantly save and load classic titles, should the action become too intense!
Pre-orders for Capcom Arcade Stadium Vol.1 run from January 9, 2026, through February 8, 2026, and each version of the game will retail for an MSRP of $59.99.
Brothers Remake Original Soundtrack Now Available for Free Streaming
Milton Keynes, January 9, 2025 – 505 Games is pleased to announce the release of the Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake Original Soundtrack today across major digital streaming platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and more.
First released over 12 years ago, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons has become a critically acclaimed classic, earning numerous awards throughout its 12-year legacy. The remake, launched two years ago, builds upon the original vision with refined gameplay, enhanced accessibility features, and modernized presentation, allowing a new generation of players to experience this emotional journey.
The soundtrack – 25 tracks featuring live orchestral recordings mixed with electronic and traditional Scandinavian singing – is a standout element of the remake, reimagined with care and artistic sensitivity by composers Daniele Carmosino and Christof Unterberger in collaboration with development team, Avantgarden Studios. Elevating the game’s emotional depth, the score blends familiar themes with newly refined arrangements, standing as a compelling work of art in its own right.
The creative process behind the soundtrack and the remake is showcased in a short documentary, offering fans an intimate look at the vision and craftsmanship that brought this beloved story back to life:
Listen to the Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake Original Soundtrack on your preferred streaming platform by clicking this link: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake (Original Soundtrack)
Ring in the New Year with Call of Duty: Mobile Season 1 – Frozen Abyss
The chill of winter has arrived as Call of Duty: Mobile Season 1 – Frozen Abyss launches on January 14th with the arrival of the Codename: Lazarus – Cosmic Wrath Mythic Operator, a winter-themed Battle Pass featuring the new LC10 SMG – Tracker and Inflatable Decoy Tactical, and plenty of events and challenges to warm up the cold nights ahead.
We’re ringing in the New Year with the brand-new Mythic Draw where players can obtain the Codename: Lazarus – Cosmic Wrath Mythic Operator. Season 1 also brings the heat with multiple themed events to combat the winter cold, including The Street Fighter collaboration, which continues to rumble into the New Year, and features new challenges and rewards.
The Season 1 Battle Pass features the new LC10 – Tracker SMG, a fast-firing weapon with low recoil, perfect for close to mid-range combat. Players may also unlock the Inflatable Decoy Tactical, a throwable item that deploys a balloon decoy to distract enemies. Premium Pass holders can earn winter-themed Operator Skins including American Bulldog – Polar Explorer and Portnova – Arctic Adventurer, alongside frosty Weapon Blueprints like the Man-O-War – Tidal Lance.
Season 1 – Frozen Abyss launches on January 14 at 4 pm PT.
For full details on Call of Duty: Mobile Season 1 – Frozen Abyss be sure to check out the Call of Duty Blog: https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/01/call-of-duty-mobile-season-1-2026-frozen-abyss-battle-pass-events
DAWN OF WAR IV: ORKS UNLEASHED,
FIRST FACTION CGI REVEAL
18:00 CET – 8 January 2025: Deep Silver and KING Art Games revealed the first of four in-game CGI narrative sequences for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, and fittingly, it’s the Orks who get to start the WAAAGH! Enter the new year with full Ork energy: loud, reckless, and ready for the war. Watch the Ork CGI trailer here:
Ork CGI Overview
Each CGI chapter serves as a cinematic introduction to one of the four playable factions. Today, the spotlight falls on the brutal and endlessly destructive Orks:
- Meet Gorgutz ’Ead ’Unter, the Ork Warboss of the Bad Moons
- The CGI shows how Gorgutz has launched a surprise attack on the Blood Ravens as they orbit the world of Kronus
- Upon boarding the Blood Raven vessel, we see Orks and Blood Ravens clash. Chief Librarian Jonah Orion unleashes devastating psychic attacks on them, while Captain Cyrus snipes at them from a secure firing position, trying to slow the advance.
- With the ship taking heavy damage and the situation slipping out of control, the Blood Ravens are forced to abandon the ship and drop to the surface of Kronus. Their escape is only the beginning. Gorgutz and his boyz are right on their heels.
This Ork CGI is the first of four factions reveals in Dawn of War IV. More to come, stay tuned.
WILD RIFT RINGS IN 2026 WITH PATCH 7.0: IONIA CELEBRATIONS!
Wild Rift’s first update of the year, Patch 7.0: Ionia Celebrations, releases January 22 (UTC), bringing an updated map, new champions, gameplay improvements, returning game modes, and more!
Spring Festival
The new year brings Ionia Celebrations to the Rift, an immersive seasonal event with festival-themed missions, exclusive rewards, and more. As a part of the celebration, players can look forward to exciting new content, including:
- The debut of the Petals of Spring skinline, a new skin thematic made in collaboration with the League of Legends team
- The return of the Arena game mode, featuring updated mechanics and an appearance from Fortune Bringer Goldie, a lovable and slightly chaotic festival monster that will be available as a Companion
- Balance and battlefield tuning changes designed to improve the game’s tempo, flow, and fights
New Champions
Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling, joins Wild Rift as a new ADC. After stacking and evolving his abilities, Smolder has the potential to scale into a powerful late-game threat.
Mel, the Soul’s Reflection, is a long-range mage capable of flexing between the mid lane and support roles. She possesses the ability to mirror enemies’ abilities back at them, rewarding smart positioning and skillful timing.
Gameplay
Visual and gameplay updates to the map arrive in Patch 7.0, known as the Ionia Rift. The Ionia Rift replaces Bandle City with a brighter map with less fog in the jungle, designed to improve visual clarity and decisionmaking based on vision.
Spirit Flowers will now appear on the Rift when an allied champion has been taken down, allowing teammates to carry forward their energy even after death. Spirit Flowers will also appear where an enemy steals a jungle monster from one team’s side of the jungle.
The Ionia Rift also brings the new Mid Lane Wind Zone, which provides mid laners with a movement speed boost to aid them in roaming the map and supporting other lanes.
Beyond these map updates, Patch 7.0 sees several smaller adjustments:
- Monster respawn timing visibility has been improved, making jungle spawns easier to track at a glance
- Abyssal Mask, Hollow Radiance, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade arrive as new items
- The build paths for support items have been streamlined
- Baron laners will receive more experience and hit their item curves earlier
- Following previous adjustments, turret damage has been increased in response to player feedback
Game Modes
The fan- favorite AAA ARAM will become a permanent mode in Patch 7.0, arriving with sleeker visuals, smoother onboarding, and rune updates. A brand-new mechanic, Flying Swords, allows players to bring their own unique blade to battle, activating extra rune effects and unlocking new combos mid-match.
Arena returns with a new map and improved gameplay, and will now support up to 16 players.
Ranked & Wild Pass
Wild Rift kicks off Season 20 of Ranked and players can earn a new skin for Teemo as a Ranked reward.
The first Wild Pass of the season features Food Spirits Ziggs and will be followed by Janitor Thresh.
Skins
- Petals of the Spring Lillia
- Petals of the Spring Smolder
- Lunar Empress Morgana Exquisite Edition
- Lunar Guardian Sett
- Lunar Guardian Warwick
- Lunar Empress Syndra
- Dragonblade Talon
- Cosmic Guardian Galio
- Cosmic Commander Swain
- Dragonmancer Fiora
- Dragonmancer Nilah
- Dragonmancer Vayne
- Garden Party Tryndamere
- Durian Defender Rammus
- Pug’Maw
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS KICKS OFF 2026 WITH SEASON 1: FOR DEMACIA
TL;DR: League of Legends’ first season of 2026 brings players to Demacia, introduces assorted gameplay and systems updates; LoL Esports competitive format detailed for the 2026 season
Date: January 8, 2026
Season 1 Overview
- League of Legends recently released a brand-new cinematic to kick off Season 1: For Demacia, featuring an original musical track, Salvation (ft. Forts).
- The first season of 2026 officially kicks off on January 8, introducing players to the kingdom of Demacia through a wide range of thematic updates across gameplay, skins, and more.
Gameplay Updates
- Updates to various gameplay systems will be implemented on January 8 with Patch 26.01, with the overarching goals of making more strategies, like splitting and sieging, viable, balancing role agency, reducing objective fatigue, getting players into the action faster, and improving class satisfaction.
- Among the changes to the game is the update to role quests. These quests, which can be progressed through specific conditions, differ depending on role. Upon completion, players will receive unique in-game rewards based on their role, such as free tier three boots and a faster recall for mid laners and increased gold accumulation and a seventh item slot for bot laners.
- Across Ranked, Norms, and Swiftplay, the overall pace of the game will be adjusted, with increased speeds within Champ Select before the game begins and earlier first minion wave and jungle monster spawn times.
- New map features will be added, including Faelights and Crystalline Overgrowth.
- Full details about these mechanics and more gameplay updates can be found in the 2026 Season One Gameplay Preview developer blog.
- Updates to Swiftplay and Ranked will also go live, the details of which can be found in the respective A Swifter Swiftplay and Ranked 2026 developer blogs.
- In response to positive feedback from players, ARAM: Mayhem will be available for a while longer, with a larger update to the game mode set to arrive in Patch 26.03 later this season.
Additional Seasonal Content
- Season 1 centers around Demacia, a military kingdom in the world of Runeterra that holds fast to the ideals of unity, justice, and righteousness.
- The influence of Demacia extends to Summoner’s Rift, with the map featuring updated visuals including petricite towers and gold-winged accents.
- The highly-anticipated update to Shyvana will release in Act 2 of this season. The update brings all-new visuals for both Shyvana’s base human form and her dragon form. While her abilities remain similar to before the update, her kit features some minor changes. Shyvana’s full kit will be revealed at her release in Act 2. Stay tuned for more details.
- A brand-new meta-game will be released alongside the start of the season: Demacia Rising. In Demacia Rising, players will experience the rise of the kingdom of Demacia, taking Demacia from its humble beginnings as a single small settlement to a beautiful, shining nation. The meta-game will evolve over the course of the season, with updates released at regular intervals throughout.
- Players can look forward to a handful of motion comics that will be published throughout the season, shedding light on the season’s narrative beyond what was shown in the season start cinematic.
Player Behavior
- Later this season, a handful of improvements will be implemented as a part of the development team’s continued efforts to improve game quality, including lobby hostage intervention. Lobby hostage intervention is a new system that will terminate lobbies that are suspected to involve a bad actor, defined as someone threatening to ruin the game experience for other players. This feature will begin rolling out across regions slowly to ensure that its accuracy remains high.
- Additionally, the ability to ban an ally’s hovered champion during Champ Select is being removed and the autofill status will now persist through dodging.
Skins
- A variety of new skins will release this season, both within and outside of the Demacian theme.
- Starting in Patch 26.02, Briar and Samira will receive Battle Academia skins and Galio and Ornn will receive mecha anime-inspired skins.
- In celebration of Lunar Revel this year, the Firecracker skinline will make its return alongside the debut of a new thematic, Petals of Spring, made in collaboration with Wild Rift.
- New April Fools’ skins are set to release later this season, being standalone skins rather than fitting under a single theme.
- A new set of skins will release during Act 2, exhibiting a darker side of Demacia.
- A brand-new skin thematic will make its debut during the First Stand time frame.
- Prestige Veiled Lady Morgana will release at the start of the season, followed by Prestige skins for Sona and Mordekaiser later in the season.
- Revenant Reign Viego, a new Exalted skin, will be available through The Sanctum this season.
- A Victorious skin is available this season for Braum, which players at any rank can earn by playing Ranked during Season 1.
Esports
- In 2026, LoL Esports will release various format changes aimed at continuing to celebrate the global community and push LoL Esports forward.
- The first global event of the year, First Stand, will take place from March 16 to 22 in São Paulo, Brazil, at the Riot Games Arena. With the LCS and CBLOL returning as independent leagues, the competition will now feature eight teams—two from the LCK, two from the LPL, and one each from the LEC, LCS, CBLOL, and LCP—competing for early-season dominance and regional pride. Every match will be a best-of-five, giving teams more opportunities to show their skills, adaptability, and creativity under pressure.
- The Mid-Season Invitational will be hosted in Daejeon, South Korea. More details about the venue will be released soon.
- Worlds 2026 will return to North America with stops in Texas and New York. More information will be shared at a later date.
- The team is continuing to refine how League of Legends is played at the highest level. In response to match analysis and feedback from pro teams worldwide, side selection and draft order will be decoupled through a new approach, known as First Selection, giving teams the option to either select a side or choose whether they would like to pick their champions first or second during the draft phase. More details can be found in a newly released blog.
- Hall of Legends will return later than usual this year, but players can still expect its comeback ahead of Worlds 2026. More details, including the reveal of the third inductee, will be shared in the coming months.
Long-term Vision
- The development team remains committed to constantly improving and updating League of Legends, from new game modes and champion updates to balancing the game every other week, and sharing regular updates with players through Dev Updates.
- Beyond these regular updates, the team has begun efforts to release a larger bundle of changes to League of Legends after 2026, with the goals of continuously improving the experience for players around the world and driving League forward into the future. These updates include:
- A brand-new game client that is fully integrated with the in-game experience
- Revamped Summoner’s Rift map with entirely new visuals and some new gameplay elements
- Changes to runes and other pre-game choices
- An overhaul to the new player experience
- The team will share more about these larger-scale changes between MSI and Worlds this year.
Survival horror Cakey’s Twisted Bakery now available on PS4 and PS5
As of January 8, Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Developed by the two-person studio TinyMindz, this stealth-based survival horror game has players fight to survive inside a twisted bakery inhabited by darkly sweet monsters. Cakey’s Twisted Bakery was previously released on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery was created by TinyMindz, an independent two-person studio from the United States. The title debuted on PC in 2024 and currently has 86% positive player reviews on Steam. Ultimate Games S.A. handled the preparation and console release.
Bake or die!
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is a stealth survival horror presented from a first-person perspective. Players take on the role of a child searching for their missing brother inside a bakery filled with living dough monsters. For these dangerous creatures: Cakey, Frostina, and Candy Bane – children are nothing more than baking ingredients.
In Cakey’s Twisted Bakery, players must sneak and hide to avoid direct encounters with monsters. Crafting and randomization play an important role in gameplay. Survival depends on collecting the right ingredients to bake cakes. Accurately throwing specific baked goods stuns and defeats enemies.
The chaotic bakery created by TinyMindz offers an intriguing mix of sweetness and darkness. A flashlight helps with navigation, and players can also search for all unique collectible notes scattered throughout the environment.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery – key features:
- stealth-based survival horror;
- a twisted bakery setting;
- ingredient gathering and cake baking;
- darkly sweet bosses;
- every playthrough is different.
Cakey’s Twisted Bakery is available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 starting January 8, 2026.
Pokémon Trading Card Game: Mega Evolution—Perfect Order Launching Soon, Featuring Debut of New Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in the Pokémon TCG
8 Jan. 2026 — The Pokémon Company International announced today that a new expansion for the bestselling Pokémon Trading Card game (TCG), Mega Evolution—Perfect Order, will be available at participating retailers around the world beginning 27 March 2026.
Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Perfect Order will introduce more Mega Evolution Pokémon, as first discovered in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game, to the Pokémon TCG. In addition, this will be the first Pokémon TCG expansion from the Mega Evolution Series to be set in Lumiose City, where the Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game intrigue takes place.
In Mega Evolution—Perfect Order, players can look forward to discovering four powerful Mega Evolution Pokémon ex appearing in the Pokémon TCG for the first time: Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Starmie ex, Mega Clefable ex and Mega Skarmory ex. Mega Evolution Pokémon ex are powerful Pokémon cards equipped with high HP and attack damage, but they give up three Prize cards when Knocked Out.
Noteworthy cards from the expansion include:
- Four Mega Evolution Pokémon ex
- Nine Pokémon ex
- 11 illustration rare Pokémon
- 18 ultra rare Pokémon and Trainer cards
- Six special illustration rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
Players can find Mega Evolution—Perfect Order in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and various collections at participating retailers worldwide.
Pokémon TCG players will have the opportunity to play with Mega Evolution—Perfect Order before launch by attending one of the many Prerelease tournaments held as part of the Play! Pokémon program, taking place beginning 14 March 2026 at participating independent retailers.
Ahead of the release of the tabletop version, players will be able to play with Mega Evolution— Perfect Order digitally starting 26 March 2026 via the Pokémon TCG Live app for iOS, Android, macOS and Windows devices. Players can collect and battle with new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex and receive in-game bonuses when logging in to the app.
To learn more about the Pokémon TCG, please visit Pokemon.com/TCG.
Angry Birds Licensing Merges with SEGA’s Global Operations, Introduces New International Agent Network
Helsinki, Finland – January 8, 2026 – Today, Rovio & SEGA® announce a significant strategic evolution in the management of its globally celebrated Angry Birds brand licensing. The brand’s worldwide licensing activities will now be unified under SEGA’s transmedia licensing operations. This change is a natural next step following SEGA’s acquisition of Rovio in 2023 and signals a powerful joint commitment to the long-term growth and expansion of the Angry Birds universe.
The integration directly supports the core goals of SEGA’s acquisition of Rovio, which aimed to rapidly expand both companies’ fanbases by sharing know-how and supporting the cross-platform expansion of Rovio’s IP using SEGA’s extensive capabilities. By joining forces, Rovio and SEGA are now positioned to uncover new synergies and reach more territories than ever before, leveraging SEGA’s successful ‘recipe’ for building brand longevity, much as it did with Sonic the Hedgehog.
The new arrangement introduces a consolidated, global strategy for both consumer products (CP) and location-based entertainment (LBE), and also allows for Rovio and SEGA to pursue direct licensing relationships worldwide, with a key focus on the US, UK, and Japan.
“We are incredibly excited about the opportunities that come with uniting our licensing activities with SEGA,” said Hanna Valkeapää-Nokkala, Rovio VP of Transmedia. “This contributes directly to our transmedia goals with the Angry Birds IP. Together, we are more capable of providing amazing experiences, products, and location-based entertainment to even more Angry Birds fans in more locations around the world, and across many different touchpoints.”
To execute this strengthened strategy on a regional level, the partnership plans to activate a robust network of expert licensing agents for consumer products in key territories, which include the EU, the Middle East, South Korea, South America and Latin America, China and SEA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as India.
This strategic shift is a cornerstone of a significant, long-term investment in the Angry Birds brand roadmap. It comes ahead of a big year for the franchise, as the highly anticipated third animated film, The Angry Birds Movie 3, is scheduled to hit theaters on December 23, 2026. With the brand now united under SEGA’s transmedia expertise, the film is poised to be an unforgettable major brand beat, driving demand for innovative and tailor-made licensed products across the globe.
“Angry Birds is an IP cherished worldwide, and this marks an incredible opportunity to explore fresh, innovative avenues to propel the brand to unprecedented heights,” said Justin Scarpone, SEGA EVP, Global Head of Transmedia. “By fully integrating Angry Birds into SEGA’s global licensing framework, the combined strength of these organizations is poised to unlock the brand’s true potential. Fans and partners can look forward to a renewed chapter for Angry Birds that’s stronger, bolder, and more supported than ever before.”
Rovio and SEGA are confident that this unified approach will enhance brand consistency, drive growth, and offer licensees new avenues for collaboration, ensuring the Angry Birds IP continues to craft joy and entertainment for a new generation of fans.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds PAC-MAN Pack Officially Available
SEGA officially released the PAC-MAN™ Pack for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds! Players can now race as video game icon PAC-MAN and Team Ghost on a track inspired by bothmodern and classic arcade-era PAC-MAN games. The PAC-MAN Pack includes the following:
- PAC-MAN and Blinky as playable characters
- Additional skins for Team Ghost: Inky, Pinky, and Clyde
- PAC-MAN Mobile
- PAC-VILLAGE & MAZE
- Official PAC-MAN Music Tracks
- Six different emotes per character
Players who own the Digital Deluxe Edition will automatically receive the PAC-MAN Pack as part of the Season Pass. For those who want to take part in the PAC-MAN action, the entire Season Pass is separately available for £24.99, which includes access to even more exciting characters, vehicles, and courses. Players can also purchase the standalone PAC-MAN Pack for £4.99.Players who do not own the PAC-MAN Pack will still be able to compete online against those who do and will be able to race on the PAC-MAN course against the PAC-MAN characters.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is available now both digitally and physically on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC starting at £64.99 and on Nintendo Switch™, Nintendo Switch™- OLED Model, and Nintendo Switch™ Lite starting at £54.99. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is also available digitally for players at £64.99.
EvoCreo, a Tactical Creature Collector Played by Millions, Brings the Battle to PC
CHICAGO – Jan. 7, 2026 – EvoCreo, the tactical monster-catching RPG with more than 2.5 million mobile downloads from Ilmfinity Studios, trains a new line of Evoking Masters on PC and Mac via Steam today.
Discover more than 170 mysterious creatures known as Creo by exploring the vast world of Zenith. Train, nurture, and form a team of powerful monsters while challenging fierce rivals, ruthless criminals, and massive battle arenas to become an Evoking Master! Reveal an evil organization’s nefarious plot and reunite a family in an adventure both inspired by and building upon the foundation of beloved genre greats.
Go Creo-to-Creo in deeply strategic skirmishes, offering much more to consider beyond elemental advantages. Weave Creo traits, abilities, types, status effects, and move cooldowns into each battle plan to gain the advantage. Raise each Creo carefully, with dozens of moveset options and multiple evolutionary paths to prepare a party ready for any encounter.
Unearth ancient secrets across 30 hours of offline gameplay, and challenge fellow Evokers online in a free multiplayer update coming soon after launch. Brainstorm new strategies in friendly fights, and test tactical skills against opponents from around the world. Reach the top of the online leaderboards in ranked matches to become a global Evoking Master!
“As a monster-taming fan myself, I wanted to add the features I always dreamed of with EvoCreo, and it resonated beyond my expectations,” said Ebrahim Behbahani, Founder at Ilmfinity. “I look forward to seeing players on a whole new platform get the chance to explore the world of Zenith!”
EvoCreo is now available on PC and Mac via Steam for $9.99 USD with language support for English, French, Italian, German, Spanish – Spain, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Swedish, and Traditional Chinese.
Research the EvoCreo series by visiting the official website, following @ilmfinity on social media, joining the official Discord community, and searching the hashtag #EvoCreo. To learn more about Ilmfinity Studios, visit the official website.
VALORANT Players Can Team Up With Their Favourite Personalities in the Alpha vs Omega ACT 1 Challenge
VALORANT players can kick off 2026 by competing alongside their favourite creators, co-streamers, broadcast talent and pro players in the Alpha vs Omega ACT 1 Challenge – choosing a faction, completing weekly in-game objectives, climbing leaderboards, and earning rewards and prizes as part of a global rivalry.
Date: January 7, 2026
What You Need To Know:
- VALORANT players can kick off 2026 by competing alongside their favourite creators, co-streamers, broadcast talent and pro players in weekly in-game challenges.
- 130 EMEA creators, co-streamers, broadcast hosts and pro players will take part. Notable names include M1xwell (Spain), beyAz (France), da1moN (Türkiye), Harmii (DACH), Petra (Netherlands) and Yinsu (UK).
- Players choose a faction, Alpha or Omega, or take a short quiz to receive a recommended side.
- Players earn faction points based on their weekly performance tied to the specific in-game objectives.
- Weekly objectives vary, such as most Bandit kills or highest Competitive points. Players can check the live challenge for current objectives.
- In-game rewards will be awarded weekly to the winning faction, while top-performing players across the challenge will be eligible for physical rewards.
- Players can sign up using the following link: https://ftw.riotgames.com/en-us/valorant/challenges/alpha-vs-omega-conflict
- Further details about the VALORANT ACT 1 Challenge can be found here: https://ftw.riotgames.com/en-us/valorant/alpha-vs-omega
Pokémon x Natural History Museum Reveal ‘Pokécology’ theme and products for sold-out Pop-Up, running 26 January – 19 April 2026
Oversize Pokémon TCG Promo Card featuring ‘Pikachu at the Museum’ unveiled, available at UK Retailers from 30 January 2026
Selected products will also be available online at Pokémon Center, the Official UK Store for Fans Nationwide, and the Natural History Museum online shop while stocks last
All Tickets have been claimed for extended Pop-Up following incredible demandLondon – UK – Wednesday 07 January – The Pokémon Company International and the Natural History Museum, London have unveiled new details about the highly anticipated pop-up shop first announced in September 2025, including a commemorative oversize Pokémon TCG Promo Card featuring Pikachu at the Museum, available as a gift with purchase, and a first look at the range of brand-new products.
The pop-up celebrates the theme of ‘Pokécology’, and reflects the brands’ shared fascination for and focus on the natural world and its creatures, from their evolution to their environment.
Running from Monday 26 January to Sunday 19 April in the Museum’s Cranbourne Boutique shop, the free ticketed pop-up was extended to give more fans the chance to attend. Time slots are all fully booked and walk-ins will not be possible.
For Trainers who have secured their spot, purchase limits will apply to ensure fair access for fans throughout the pop-up’s run.
The theme of the special pop-up space is inspired by the acclaimed Japanese publication ‘Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology’, which explores how Pokémon live, interact with their environments, and adapt to habitats from deep forests to shadowy caves. As well as themed merchandise, the space touches on this concept through an artwork display.
The pop-up collection features exclusive items created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, inspired by elements such as the building’s iconic Hintze Hall and its beautiful botanical ceiling panels, reimagined with Grass-type Pokémon like Ivysaur and Victreebel.
Fans will also find artwork inspired by the classic naturalist books and scientific illustrations that fill the Museum’s archives, showcasing Pokémon from Water-type to Bug-type as well as designs celebrating Eevee’s evolutions. Products range from stationery, clothing, pins, bags, posters, gold-plated decorations and special Pikachu plush.
Many of the products will also be available online through the Natural History Museum’s online shop from midday on 26 January 20264, while stocks last. Select ranges will also launch on Pokémon Center, the official UK store for Pokémon merchandise in early February. Fans can sign up for Pokémon Center emails to be alerted when products become available. Purchase limits will also apply to online orders.
Purchases made in‑store at the pop‑up will include the new Pikachu at the Museum oversize Pokémon TCG Promo Card as a gift with purchase. From Friday 30 January, the oversized card will also be available as a gift with purchase at select UK retailers, giving more fans the chance to share in the excitement of Pokémon’s first collaboration with a UK museum. It will not be available via Pokémon Center.
All profits from purchases made in the Museum shop and from its online store, including Pokémon products, support the Natural History Museum’s charitable mission, including the work of 400 scientists conducting research and finding solutions to the planetary emergency.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Season 01 Reloaded Multiplayer Maps
Apex Legends: Amped Mid-Season Update Brings The Winter Wipeout Event, Now Live!
Suit up and head for the slopes, Legends! Arriving with the Apex Legends: Amped mid-season update, the all-new Winter Wipeout Event is live now until January 27. During Winter Wipeout, players can shred their way into Olympus using new Hoverboards and freeze out the competition with new Wild Cards! Additionally, the mid-season patch tunes up Octane, Crypto and Newcastle for peak performance with new meta updates.
- Shred Through Enemies in Wildcard
- Drop into Wildcard and shred Olympus with new Hoverboards! Legends can carve across cover, wall-ride out of danger, and throw down tricks mid-air, with every trick earning a speed boost and EVO rewards – shell out epic combos for even more rewards!
- Reach Peak Performance with Legend Meta Updates
- Octane heals faster with low health and gains access to Stim Surge, a new protective ability that only triggers on low health. His Launch Pad now starts stronger with double jumps, double pads, and smoother aerial control, alongside new Upgrades that add even more mobility, including ally Stim boosts and Launch Pad triple jumps.
- Crypto enhances his recon game with expanded vision from his Surveillance Drone, faster deployment, and quicker switching. His EMP now shuts down enemy Amps, along with several former upgrades now becoming part of his base kit, opening space for new Upgrades like Digital Trailblazer for ally mobility and Power Coupling for faster Ultimate charge through scans.
- Newcastle dominates holding down the line as his Mobile Shield now increases in speed and has a shorter cooldown, while his Castle Wall now blocks more incoming projectiles. New Upgrades grant Newcastle an offensive and defensive boost, including a permanently charged Stronghold, auto-loading weapons, and full shield regen on revives. He now fires immediately after finishing a revive from his fast-activating Ultimate, allowing for quicker critical saves.
- New Wild Cards Freeze Out the Competition
- Master the ultimate cold-shoulder with new Wild Cards built for frightful battles: Brain Freeze deals bonus headshot damage while slowing opponents, Love Potion provides nearby teammates consumable effects, and Protective Launch grants shield regeneration every time a player hits a jump pad.
- Chilling Rewards & Drops
- Stock up on Glint throughout the event to unlock Winter Wipeout items from the Reward Shop. Bundle up this winter in style with winter sports aesthetic Legendary Skins and matching weapons for Bloodhound, Alter, and Fuse – all available from possible drops in Winter Wipeout Event Packs! Additionally, Horizon shines with her new Apex Stellaris Prestige Skin, complete with dive trail and finisher animation.
Apex Legends: Amped is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via the EA App, Epic Game Store and Steam. For more news about Apex Legends, check out the game’s official X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube pages or visit www.playapex.com for the latest updates.
Where Winds Meet Next Major Update Set For January 9, Following Goose Overlord New Year Takeover
GUANGZHOU, China – (January 6th, 2026) – Everstone Studio today announced the Version 1.2 update for its acclaimed open-world Wuxia ARPG, Where Winds Meet, will be available globally on Jan 9th, 2026. The update delivers the Final Volume of Kaifeng. introduces the competitive Guild Battle Preseason, a new region and puzzle cave, and kicks off the celebratory first Jianghu Martial Games with a series of limited-time events. This release follows the Goose Overlord Takeover- a playful New Year initiative that brought players from around the world together in lighthearted celebration.
Goose Overlord Takeover Celebrated New Year With Global CommunityWhere Winds Meet staged a goofy takeover event in celebration of the new year, with the players’ beloved Goose Overlord declared control of the game. Giant goose-themed billboards lit up screens across Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong. In Taipei city, a pop-up featured a “Goose Giant” flash drew curious crowds. During the event, the mighty goose briefly hijacked the game launcher and official social channels, mounting a camera for a first-person goose-eye livestream. Tens of thousands of players from around the world joined in the fun as the community rang in 2026 together.
Version 1.2 Update Brings New Areas and Final Volume of Kaifeng
The upcoming update introduces the Nine Mortal Ways Camp and a new puzzle cave- Mistveil Prison. Hidden in the Ghost Market beneath Kaifeng, the Nine Mortal Ways Camp Serves as a gathering place for sect members with diverse personalities, full of intrigging encounters, secret treasures and bustling fun- but beware of the scams!Version 1.2 also marks the final volume of Kaifeng. Players will face their most formidable challenge yet: the Campaign Challenge boss, Supreme Freedom, with whom the confrontation is more than a battle; it’s a journey through escalating clashes that force players to confront profound choices between personal belief, duty, and the inexorable pull of fate.
Guild Battles: Preseason Tournament Begins
Version 1.2 heralds the arrival of large-scale, coordinated multiplayer combat with the debut of the Guild Battle Preseason. This preseason tournament features six intense matches, designed to test guild strategies and coordination. To ensure broader accessibility for guild members worldwide, guilds will be allocated to distinct Guild Regions based on their country or region, and each Guild Region will launch its matches simultaneously according to its local time.
“This preseason is crucial for us to gather player feedback and refine the core Guild Battle mechanics,” stated the development team of Where Winds Meet. “We encourage all guilds to rally their members, hone their tactics, and prepare for the even more expansive guild content planned in upcoming updates.”
The First Jianghu Martial Games Brings Light-hearted Fun
Complementing the intense narrative and competitive battles, the upcoming update introduces the first Jianghu Martial Games – a vibrant, limited-time festival starting from Jan 9th, packed with lighthearted fun.Featuring whimsical play modes like ” Elder Express” and ” Towering Masters” the event is designed for instant enjoyment. No complex prerequisites or heavy commitments are required – players can jump in anytime for quick, entertaining challenges or share laughs with friends amidst the competitive spirit.
From the epic new narrative and formidable boss challenge to the united fervor of the Guild Battle and the communal joy of the Jianghu Martial Games, Version 1.2 offers diverse experiences for all types of wanderers. No matter if you are a lover of narratives or a multiplayer enthusiast, we warmly invite you to log in on January 9th and embrace the next thrilling chapter of Where Winds Meet.
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