Assassin’s Creed Shadows Delayed Again
Ubisoft has announced another delay for its highly anticipated game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Initially scheduled for release on February 14th, the launch date has been pushed back to March 20th. The developers have cited the need to incorporate feedback gathered over the past three months as the primary reason for the postponement.
In addition, Ubisoft has revealed through Steam that an expansion titled Gnomic Laws of Awaji will be available at launch. This expansion promises over 10 hours of new content, including new weapons, skills, and an entirely new location to explore. However, the expansion will be exclusive to players who preorder the game.
Another contributing factor to the delay appears to be tied to the strategic interests of the Coulibaut family, Ubisoft’s majority shareholders. With the company’s future hinging on the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the family is determined to ensure the game meets high expectations. A failure could give Tencent, a major stakeholder, leverage to negotiate a better deal and potentially take Ubisoft private. Conversely, a successful launch would bolster the Coulibaut family’s position and allow them to retain control of the company.
The stakes are high, and all eyes are on Ubisoft to see how this pivotal release performs.
US Labels Tencent As a Chinese Military Company
In a surprising development, the U.S. Department of Defense has added Tencent to its list of Chinese military companies. Tencent, a major player in the global gaming industry with investments in prominent companies like Epic Games and Riot Games, is now under heightened scrutiny following this announcement, which has left many people stunned.
Although the designation does not impose immediate sanctions, it could lead to legal challenges and other complications for Tencent. The company has expressed its disagreement with the decision and announced plans to work toward having its name removed from the list. Danny Marty, a Tencent representative, stated that the designation is not expected to impact the company’s business operations in the near term.
The U.S. government claims that the decision is based on China’s military-civil fusion strategy, which mandates that Chinese companies support the country’s military through research and technological development. This is not the first time a major Chinese corporation has faced such a designation; notably, Xiaomi was added to the same list in 2021 but successfully had its name removed within a few months.
It remains to be seen how Tencent will navigate this challenge and whether it will achieve a similar outcome. For now, the situation underscores the growing tensions between the U.S. and Chinese tech giants.
Marvel Rivals Massive Update
A significant update has been rolled out for Marvel Rivals Season 1, bringing numerous changes and fixes to the game. Among the highlights, new heroes Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman have joined the roster, while abilities for Doctor Strange and Winter Soldier have been enhanced for improved gameplay.
The update also introduces a “Get Unstuck” feature, allowing players to return to the terrain if they become stuck during matches. Updates to the tournament system include an automatic flow function for smoother competition and the addition of a new spectating channel for fans to watch live gameplay. Furthermore, NetEase has unveiled the hero hotlist, showcasing pick and win rates. Jeff the Land Shark has emerged as the most popular character overall, while Storm is the least picked. In competitive play, Luna Snow is the top choice, but Mantis boasts the highest combined pick and win rate.
Season 1 has also introduced new maps, game modes, and characters, including the Fantastic Four. A range of balance changes has been implemented, affecting popular heroes such as Captain America, Cloak and Dagger, and Jeff the Land Shark. Specific adjustments include nerfs for Hulk and Hela, while buffs have been applied to Cloak and Dagger, Punisher, and Moon Knight. Additionally, Jeff’s ultimate skill warning marker has been realigned for greater accuracy.
Excitement is building for Season 2, with fans treated to an early look at Blade through leaked in-game gallery cards. Speculation suggests that by the end of Season 1, the Fantastic Four will defeat Dracula and rescue Blade, setting him up to become a playable character in the next season. Season 2 is expected to launch in April 2025, promising even more content and adventures for players.
NVIDIA RTX 50 Series Announced
CES 2025 has unveiled a series of major announcements, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations that promise to redefine the tech landscape. Among the highlights, NVIDIA introduced its highly anticipated RTX 50 series graphics cards, equipped with groundbreaking DLSS 4 technology and GDDR7 RAM, setting a new standard for gaming performance and visual fidelity.
AMD made a strong impression as well, unveiling its RX 9070 series mid-range GPUs. These are strategically designed to compete with NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 Ti and RTX 4070, offering consumers more choices in the ever-competitive graphics card market.
Lenovo joined the spotlight with the announcement of its first official third-party SteamOS handheld, the Legion Go S. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chip, this device aims to deliver high-quality gaming experiences in a portable format. Meanwhile, Asus showcased its next-generation OLED gaming monitor, the ROG Swift, offering cutting-edge display technology for professional and gaming enthusiasts.
These innovations, along with other groundbreaking advancements revealed at CES 2025, underscore the rapid pace of technological progress and are poised to shape the industry for years to come.
PUBG Mobile & BGMI Version 3.6 Update
PUBG Mobile has launched its first major update of 2025, version 3.6, titled “Unveiled.” This update introduces the exciting new Sacred Quartet mode, enhancing popular maps like Erangel, Livik, and Sanhok with floating mountains, sanctuaries, and elemental energy features, adding a fresh layer of exploration and strategy.
In the Sacred Quartet mode, players can now master unique elemental arts on Spawn Island. These include the Flaming Phoenix, Aquadragon, Whirlwind Tiger, and Nature Spirit Deer, each offering distinct abilities to enhance gameplay. Additionally, the New Spring Festival event begins on January 23rd, celebrating the Year of the Snake. During the festival, players can collect momos, special items that restore health and energy.
The update also expands the World of Wonder with new items and introduces a unique panda companion. This panda can carry up to two players and provide support in battles, adding a fun and tactical element to the game.
For players of BGMI, the update will also be available, but the Sacred Quartet mode will only be accessible until March 5th. With these additions, version 3.6 promises to deliver an engaging and enriched experience for players worldwide.
Free Fire & Naruto Collab
Free Fire has launched its biggest anime collaboration to date, teaming up with Naruto Shippuden. This exciting collaboration, available since January 10th, introduces a range of new content to the game. Players can now unlock character skins inspired by Naruto and Sasuke, along with iconic Jutsus like Chidori and Rasengan, bringing the world of Naruto to life within Free Fire.
In addition, the Bermuda map has been updated to include a recreation of Naruto’s village, Konoha. Players can now encounter the legendary Nine-Tails Fox, which will have a significant impact on gameplay, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
This special collaboration event will run from January 10th to February 9th, offering players a limited-time opportunity to experience these unique features.
What do you think about this collaboration? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
Sniper Elite 4 Coming On iOS
The fourth installment of the Sniper Elite series is now available on iOS, allowing players to experience World War II Italy through the eyes of Carl Fairbairn. Developer and publisher Rebellion has officially released the game on iPhones and iPads, offering a variety of weapons and gadgets, including rifles, submachine guns, and pistols.
As with previous versions, the game features the signature X-Ray kill cam, but it will only be supported on Apple’s latest-generation chips. The iOS version is priced at ₹2,500, significantly higher than the ₹1,200 price tag for the Steam version. It seems Apple users will have to pay a premium for this experience.
Notch Is 100% Serious About Minecraft 2
Minecraft’s creator, Markus “Notch” Persson, recently conducted a poll asking fans whether his next game should be Minecraft 2 or something entirely different. An overwhelming 81% of respondents voted in favor of focusing on Minecraft 2. Notch has since stated that he is “100% serious” about developing the game.
He shared that he has rediscovered his passion for game development, which is what inspired him to begin working on Minecraft 2. While the new game will be a spiritual successor to Minecraft, Notch emphasized that it will not infringe upon Mojang or Microsoft’s intellectual property.
It is still early in the development process, so with Notch just beginning work on the project, it may take a few years before the game is ready for release. We’ll have to wait and see what he creates!
PUBG & inZOI Introduce AI Teammates
Both PUBG and Inzoi are set to introduce new AI companions, also known as Co-Playable Characters (CPCs). Crafter has partnered with Nvidia to bring these AI teammates into the games. CPCs will differ from traditional NPCs, as they will understand the game situation in a more human-like manner and respond accordingly.
In PUBG, the new AI companion will be capable of verbal communication and can follow player commands to complete various tasks. Players will be able to interact with the AI to find vests, ammo, or even receive cover fire during intense moments.
In Inzoi, a live simulation game, the smart Zoi characters will react dynamically to their environment. They will adapt to fashion trends, spread rumors, and make decisions based on real-time experiences, offering a more immersive and evolving gameplay experience.
Crafter launched its Deep Learning Division in 2022 and has since been working on improving AI technologies to enhance player interactions.
Would you like to have an AI companion in PUBG? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Honkai Impact 3rd Version 8.0 Released
MiHoYo’s popular RPG, Honkai Impact 3rd, received its version 8.0 update, titled “Search of the Sun,” on January 9th. This update introduces Durandal’s new battlesuit, Ray Solaris, along with new signature weapons: Volaris Infulgence and PRI-Arm Valeris Infulgence New Voyage.
A new chapter in the storyline, “Bouquet of Unfilled Wishes,” has been added, expanding the narrative further. Additionally, a new on-duty work guide minigame has been introduced, where players can move Cube Yanka on a 3D grid to solve puzzles, adding a fresh challenge to the game.
With this update, players can now earn a portion of 60 million crystals from a large pool by completing specific main story chapters. A new event, “Countdown to Sweet Dreams,” has also been introduced, offering a relaxing experience for laid-back players.
Familiar faces, including Mii, Theresa, and Fu Hua, will return in this update, providing players with more opportunities for character interactions and progression.
COD Massive Game Budgets Leaked
For the first time, the massive budgets of Call of Duty (COD) games have been revealed, thanks to code documents. Activision spent $700 million on Black Ops Cold War, which included the costs for post-launch content such as new maps, weapons, and cosmetics.
In 2015, Black Ops 3 had a budget of $450 million and sold 43 million copies. In 2019, Modern Warfare had a budget of $640 million and sold 41 million copies. Black Ops Cold War earned over $1 billion by selling 30 million copies.
When compared to other games, these budgets are significant. For example, The Last of Us 2 had a budget of $220 million, Horizon Forbidden West cost $212 million, and Spider-Man 2 was made for around $300 million.
While these budgets are large, it’s important to note that COD also generates substantial revenue through microtransactions and battle passes.
Solo Leveling: Arise Championship Announced
The highly anticipated Solo Leveling game, Solo Leveling Arise, is set to host its first official global competition in 2025. Netmarble has announced this exciting tournament, which will take place in the “Battlefield of Time” — a time attack mode where players must clear dungeons as quickly as possible.
Previously, such events were held only in Korea, but this competition has now evolved into a global challenge. The Grand Finals will be hosted in Korea, and details about the championship will be regularly updated on the official website.
A teaser for the tournament has been released, showcasing the intense battles and action that players can expect in SLC 2025.
Game of Thrones Mobile Closed Beta Announced
HBO’s popular series-based mobile game, GOT King’s Road, has unveiled a new gameplay trailer along with additional details from its developers. The game will be an action-adventure RPG, set to release on iOS, Android, and PC platforms.
The game’s closed beta servers will be active from January 16th to 22nd, available in the US, Canada, and some European regions. During this period, players will take on the role of a new character from House Tyrell and experience immersive gameplay with manual controls.
Microsoft New Games Event
Microsoft has announced its first developer showcase for 2025, set to take place on January 23rd at 11:30 PM. During this event, we will get an inside look at upcoming games for Xbox Series X, PC, and Game Pass, along with several exciting announcements.
Compulsion Games will showcase its new title, South of Midnight, Sandfall Interactive will present Clear Obscured Expedition 33, and ID Software will reveal Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Microsoft has teased that a new game from a mystery studio will be unveiled.
According to Tom Henderson, the next Xbox console could be released in 2026, possibly alongside a new Call of Duty game, which some users speculate could be Modern Warfare 4. Dix suggests that the next console might be named Xbox Prime.
We’ll have to wait and see what surprises Microsoft has in store during this event.
Microsoft has announced its first developer showcase for 2025, set to take place on January 23rd at 11:30 PM. During this event, attendees will get an inside look at upcoming games for Xbox Series X, PC, and Game Pass, along with several exciting announcements.
Compulsion Games will showcase its new title, South of Midnight, Sandfall Interactive will present Clear Obscured Expedition 33, and ID Software will reveal Doom: The Dark Ages. Additionally, Microsoft has teased the unveiling of a new game from a mystery studio.
According to Tom Henderson, the next Xbox console could be released in 2026, possibly alongside a new Call of Duty game, which some users speculate could be Modern Warfare 4. Dix suggests that the next console might be named Xbox Prime.
We’ll have to wait and see what surprises Microsoft has in store during this event.
The filming of Fallout season 2 has been halted due to the Los Angeles wildfires, which have also reached Hollywood, creating a very serious situation. The scale of the destruction is so vast that it could be compared to large areas of the GTA 5 map being burned.
Now, for the 5-in-1 news:
- On January 23rd, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be released on PC, offering NVIDIA’s DLSS and 4K 120 FPS support, providing a much better experience than the PlayStation version.
- The director of Kingdom Hearts has teased Kingdom Hearts 4 in a cryptic tweet, hinting that it will be the finale of the series.
- Capcom has announced that the second open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds will take place from February 6th to 9th, featuring new monsters to hunt. Players can transfer their characters, but progress will not carry over.
- Roman Reigns revealed WWE 2K25 during the Netflix debut of WWE Monday Night Raw, set for release on January 27th. On the same day, the servers for WWE 2K23 will be shut down, leaving WWE 2K24 as the only active online WWE game.
The Transformers: Reactivate game has been officially canceled after multiple delays, with the studio confirming that there will be significant layoffs following the game’s cancellation.
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