EVO 2025 Lineup Features Mortal Kombat 1, Tekken 8, And More
EVO 2025 Las Vegas is set to take place from August 1-3 and on Tuesday evening, the full lineup of featured games has been revealed. The lineup of games that will be featured on Championship Sunday will be Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat 1, Guilty Gear Strive, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, Under Night In-Birth II Sys: Celes, and Marvel Vs Capcom 2. The extended lineup for EVO 2025 will feature Rivals of Aether 2, Killer Instinct, Virtua 5 R.E.V.O, The King of Fighters XV, and Blazblue Centralfiction. There are three other games that will be revealed on February 15, 2025. The prize pools for each of the games have yet to be revealed for EVO 2025 and probably won’t be for another few months. The EVO 2025 Announcement Show can be watched on YouTube below:
Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP to receive free update in February
Dragami Games announced it will be releasing an update for one of its latest releases, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP. The free update will arrive in February adding a Photo Mode and the Gouth Outfit. The developer states it will be arriving in early February. The new Photo Mode in Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP will allow users to freely adjust camera angles, poses, and more to take photos of Juliet, the zombie slayer. Below is an overview of the free update via Gematsu: Capture Your Unique Moments with the New “Photo Mode”! The “Photo Mode” allows players to pause the game at any moment and take stunning in-game photos. Once activated, players can adjust the camera angle, depth of field, Juliet’s poses, and facial expressions to create their own original shots. By using the screenshot functionality of each platform, players can capture their masterpiece. Additionally, players can enhance their photos with filters and frames for a more personalized touch. Be sure to check the official LOLLIPOP CHAINSAW RePOP website for detailed instructions on how to use this feature. Don’t miss the opportunity to create your perfect shot! Introducing the Long-Awaited “Goth Outfit” Costume! The “Goth Outfit” costume was originally distributed as a store-exclusive bonus for the previous Lollipop Chainsaw game, characterized by its distinctive black rouge. This outfit exudes a dark atmosphere, allowing you to enjoy a different side of Juliet’s charm. Be sure to experience this new style along with the “Photo Mode”! Free Major Update Release Schedule The free major update is scheduled for release on all platforms in early February. Please look forward to it! Dragami Games also revealed that Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP sold over 200K copies worldwide across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam. Are you excited to use Photo Mode?
PlayStation Plus Game Catalog For January 2025 Includes Like A Dragon Gaiden, God Of War: Ragnarok, And More
The ongoing engagement for PlayStation Plus for 2024 has been at an all-time high and continues into the next year. So far, 2025 has so far kept subscribers tame with its offerings. For the first wave of monthly free titles, the list offered from Sony Interactive Entertainment It Takes Two, Aliens: Dark Descent, and Temtem for this month. As per PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, the past month did not hesitate to offer enticing new additions for you to stack onto your growing backlog. At the time, PlayStation Plus welcomed games including Dying Light 2, Like A Dragon: Ishin, Chivalry II, Grand Theft Auto V, and Digimon Survive. Now that list is entering the new calendar year also. This week, Sony Interactive Entertainment has unveiled the new roster coming to PlayStation Plus starting on January 21st. You can read the full list below: PlayStation 5 ANNO: Mutationem Atlas Fallen: Reign Of Sand Citizen Sleeper God of War Ragnarok Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Orcs Must Die! 3 SD Gundam Battle Alliance PlayStation 4 ANNO: Mutationem Citizen Sleeper God of War Ragnarok Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Orcs Must Die! 3 Poker Club Sayonara Wild Hearts SD Gundam Battle Alliance PlayStation 2 Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings PlayStation Medievil II “With its rich characters, intricate plot, and attention to detail, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has delivered a masterpiece that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the gaming landscape,” Rectify Gaming gave for its review in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name; scoring the title a 10/10. In our review for God of War: Raganrok, we said: “Kratos and Atreus are the heart and steel that forge God of War Ragnarök into a flawless and fitting end to the Norse Saga.” Also scored 10/10. You can read the full review by heading here. Are you excited for this latest PlayStation Plus Game Catalog wave? Source: PlayStation Blog
Xbox Reported To Lose 80% In Premium Sales For First-Party Releases On Game Pass
In the ongoing restructure of the Xbox business model, one thing for certain is the emphasis on Xbox Game Pass. With the fall release for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the service is anticipated to generate over one million subscribers. And although there has yet to be a number on the user count, the service is also projected to generate over $5.5 billion sometime in 2025 also. As for the counterbalances of Game Pass, it is hard to overlook. In one report, the service is seen to cannibalize titles on its service. In a separate report, sales thanks to the subscription overshadowing premium sales also paints a negative connotation for the platform from many developers as well outside of Xbox Game Pass. Despite that, the firm does report to be in the green for its software/services in earnings report though. But how much does this affect Xbox first-party releases? According to gamesindustry.biz head Christopher Dring, the amount that Microsoft sacrifices is more than half it would see in premium sales. Roughly 80 percent in sales is instead utilized for its subscription. “Anecdotally, games that are in Game Pass can expect to lose around 80% of its expected premium sales on Xbox. That’s the figure that gets thrown around. It’s less if it’s a big mainstream release, but generally… look at how low Hellblade 2 charted. Or where Indiana Jones came. Or even Starfield. Game Pass clearly hurt sales of those titles on Xbox.” Dring also added the hindrance for smaller developers trying to releases it titles on the platform thanks to the shadow casted by Game Pass. “I am actually torn on subscription. I believe it can lead to lost revenue, and services like this make it harder for everyone else. Try being an indie game on Xbox right now that’s not on Game Pass…” And this is clearly apparent in recent time despite the ongoing ID@Xbox program. Previously, it was reported that the gold rush of Xbox Game Pass/Epic Games Store promotions for smaller studios has entirely dried up as of late. You can read the full report by heading here. Do you think Xbox is operating in its best favor with the Game Pass model? Source: InstallBase
Borderlands 4 To Shift Its Comedic Tone, Gearbox Reveals
While Borderlands is reflected upon as a beloved IP from the late 2000s, the comedic notes that made the title stood out then still remains and now stands to being one of the most questionable characteristics for the series. Even now with the recent box office release this past summer, many were not excited with the choice. And now plans are underway for a fourth installment, Gearbox announced. Last year, the developer officially revealed Borderlands 4 and even more confirmed that the game is coming in 2025. While there are excited players, there is also a collection of fans that are curious about how Gearbox can do things differently for the new game. When showcased at The Game Awards last month, the tone for Borderlands 4 did appear less comedic than prior entries. And speaking on the matter, narrative director Sam Wrinkler did share that the choices made for the gags & jokes for Borderlands 4 were used more spaciously for the story in the newest release. Not to say there is no comedy, but the firm is aware of the comedic uses of Borderlands 3. Not at liberty to talk much about the content of BL4, but I remain firm in my criticism of BL3’s overabundance of toilet humor,” his post on X reads. “Borderlands 4 is our most ambitious game yet. In service of that, I’m happy to say I’ve gotten to work with some of the funniest people I know as contract writers. I’ll be retweeting them as they post about it (though not all may still be on this site),” Wrinkler did share at the start of the post. He also went on to clarify that certain new-age jokes are not planning to make an appearance as modern comedy evolves in new forms. “I’m not gonna say there’s no toilets but if the word skibidi ships in the game under my watch I’m gonna cry real tears. Paul Tassi joked that we were gonna have a gun called Hawk 2A and a fellow dev asked me if it was real and I wanted to put my hand down the sink grinder.” So although Borderlands 4 is reshifting its focus for the storytelling when using comedy, Gearbox is using it in a new approach for the new title. Are you excited for Borderlands 4 after this new update? Borderlands 4 is said to come out in 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Castlevania: Nocturne Returns For Season 2 This Week On Netflix
Exploring what animated projects are underway at Netflix, the list surely continues to grow. While live-action is certainly a focus, the emphasis on animated shows & films do not cease. For 2025, it was previously confirmed that Devil May Cry is planned to release this April. Additionally, the trailer for Splinter Cell: Deathmatch also suggests a potential arrival for the coming year too. As for other confirmed releases on Netflix, the streamer announced this week that The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is coming in February. The animated film is a story set between Episodes 5 & 6 of Season 1. And, CD Projekt Red did re-up with Netflix on a new undisclosed Cyberpunk 2077 project as well. Though, details are light on the direction this new collaboration will go. This week, Castlevania: Nocturne returns with Season 2. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: “Richter and his band of vampire hunters, now joined by Alucard, are in a desperate race against time. Erzsebet Báthory, the Vampire Messiah, who already seems invincible, seeks the full power of the goddess Sekhmet so she can plunge the world into endless darkness and terror,” the synopsis reads. Showrunner Kevin Kolde tells Netflix that Season 2 will offer “the biggest, craziest Castlevania fight scene ever,” for Castlevania. “Alucard is going to lead Richter and Annette to Paris to try and find the last element that would allow Erzsebet to achieve the full power of Sekhmet and become even more powerful than she was in Season 1. […] I think Alucard has seen a lot of Belmonts during his time, but he finds a little bit of annoying joy with Richter,” Kolde elaborates on the direction for Season 2. Are you excited for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2? Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 airs on Netflix on January 16, 2025. Source: Netflix
Film The Witcher: Sirens Of The Deep Arrives To Netflix Next Month
While Netflix is not shy to live-action adaptations, the streaming giant has more easily pumped out a significant more amount of animated projects pertaining to video games. In the current forecast, Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft aired this past fall. Additionally, the new releases on the horizon includes Devil May Cry & Splinter Cell: Deathmatch. As for current franchises at Netflix, the platform is also partnering once again with CD Projekt Red on a new Cyberpunk 2077 project. As of the announcement, it is unsure to be live-action or animated alike Edgerunners before. Also on The Witcher side of things, season 4 for the live-action show is coming and will be the first airing with Henry Cavill recasted as Geralt of Rivia by Liam Hemsworth. This week, Netflix uploaded a new trailer for an upcoming animated The Witcher movie ‘The Sirens of the Deep’ The film is planned to release next month in February. You can watch the trailer in the video below: “Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends — old and new — to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into an all-out war,” the synopsis reads. “I am super excited to announce my return to the world of The Witcher voicing Geralt of Rivia once again,” voice actor Cockle said. “I’m thrilled to be able to share this next chapter of the White Wolf’s journey with fans of the Witcher universe. Mire taedh aen stráede!” The film is said to take place between Episodes 5 & 6 of Season 1 for The Witcher show. Are you excited for The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep? The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep airs on Netflix on February 11, 2025. Source: Netflix
Party Animals is coming to PlayStation 5
Party Animals has been available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC since September 20, 2023, and fans have been wondering when it’d come to other platforms. It was announced that Party Animals will be coming to PlayStation 5. A release date for when Party Animals comes to PlayStation 5 has not been announced yet. Party Animals is a physics-based party game that has a range of animals from puppies and kittens to bunnies and duckies. It has a variety of multiplayer modes such as Nemo Kart and objective-based modes like soccer, hockey, football, and free-for-all brawls. Since its release the game also received single-player missions being Black Sails Nemo and Cast Away. This gives players more options when it comes to playing Party Animals. What Is Party Animals? Party Animals‘ unique physics engine, developed in-house by Recreate Games, features completely physics-driven character movements, leading to seemingly haphazard, floppy encounters that are both unpredictable and hilarious. Will your punch land in that sweet spot and send your foe flying off the stage, or will it knock your own character completely off balance? Get tangled up in a rumble with your friends and frenemies, and all you can do is hope for the best! In our review, we scored Party Animals a 9 out of 10 on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
