Post bot

After taking over as CEO of Xbox following the surprise departures of former heads Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond two weeks ago, new leader Asha Sharma has publicly revealed the codename of the next-generation Xbox. In an X post, Sharma shared she’d met with Team Xbox this morning to discuss Project Helix, the codename for the next-generation Xbox. According to Sharma, Project Helix “will lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games” as part of her promised commitment to “the return of Xbox.” Sharma doesn’t provide any more details other than sharing the Project Helix logo, but confirms she’ll be attending the Game Developers Conference (GDC) next week to discuss the upcoming console with partners and developers. Despite enduring a rocky console generation, we’ve known that Xbox was committed to releasing a successor to the Xbox Series X/S dating back to 2024, when former Xbox head Phil Spencer told employees the company had no plan to stop making Xbox consoles. Xbox also announced last June that AMD will power its next-generation consoles as part of a multi-year partnership with the tech giant. Today’s news comes after Xbox’s colossal leadership shake-up that saw Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer retire and Xbox president Sarah Bond resign on February 20. Asha Sharma, previously the president of Microsoft’s CoreAI, was appointed to Spencer’s former position, with long-time Xbox executive Matt Booty promoted to Chief Content Officer to work alongside her. Although Sharma has no prior experience working in video games, she stated in an email to employees that she intends to “understand what makes this work and protect it.” She has also responded to fears of AI integration in future Xbox games (stemming from her former position) by saying, “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.” For more on Xbox, you can check out these stories for its 2026 slate of games, such as Halo: Campaign Evolved, Playground Games' Forza Horizon 6 and Fable, and Double Fine's Kiln. Subscribers can read our latest magazine preview for Gears of War: E-Day. View the full article

Pragmata's release is right around the corner, which is exciting, partially because it felt like it might never come out. After getting delayed in 2021, it was delayed indefinitely in 2023, its supposed release year. Today's news revealed its release date has shifted yet again, but perhaps as atonement for the massive delays, this time, the launch has moved in the opposite direction. During today's Capcom Spotlight Showcase, the developer/publisher announced Pragmata's release date is shifting from April 24 to a week earlier, on April 17. The news came in a comedic fake-out, with a note mimicking Diana's infamous drawing announcing the game's delay that instead announced the new April 17 date. The trailer also showed off some of the cosmetics available in the game's deluxe edition, which includes costumes for both protagonists and dances for Diana. You can take a look at them below. Pragmata is a third-person sci-fi shooter where players simultaneously blast robots as astronaut Hugh while hacking their defenses as the android girl Diana. For more on Pragmata, you can play the demo on Xbox, PS5, Switch 2, or PC, or you can check out our recent interview with the game's creators in the latest digital issue of Game Informer. View the full article

Claim Parkitect - Booms and Blooms DLC for free via Steam! Please note that the base game Parkitect is required ... View the full article

Looking for a new visual novel to try? Along the Edge is free on Itch.io until Mar 7. It features ... View the full article

Claim Parkitect - Dinos & Dynasties DLC for free via Steam! Please note that the base game Parkitect is required ... View the full article

Developer Reikon Games has revealed Ruiner 2, a sequel to 2017's Ruiner, and it's set to feature explosive cyberpunk action. Unlike its predecessor, however, Ruiner 2 will feature co-op for up to three players. "Return to Rengkok in Ruiner 2, the brutal new cyberpunk action RPG from Reikon Games," the reveal trailer's description reads. "Lightning-fast combat meets a deep, systems-driven world. Master the new Shell System: switch characters mid-combat to exploit lethal synergies and tear through enemies." Check out the Ruiner 2 reveal trailer below: Reikon Games, which released one of my favorite first-person shooters in recent memory last year, Metal Eden, says that for Ruiner 2, it is evolving the top-down shooter gameplay of the first Ruiner into a deep, systems-driven action RPG. One of the biggest mechanical changes in Ruiner 2 comes by way of the Shell System, which allows you to command a roster of up to three unique combat bodies that you can switch between instantly during combat. Reikon Games says each Shell hits differently with distinct playstyles, special abilities, and various role types. "Every Shell in your roster features a deep, specialized progression path – four skills, each with branching nodes that change how those skills behave, not just how hard they shift," Reikon Games writes in the game's Steam description. There's no release date for Ruiner 2 at this time. While waiting for more information, read Game Informer's Ruiner review, and then check out my review of the team's most recent game, Metal Eden. What do you hope to see in Ruiner 2? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

All players who log into Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms through the Epic Games Store until March 12th will ... View the full article

Score Turnip Boy Robs a Bank for free via Epic Games Store! Turnip Boy Robs a Bank is a comedic ... View the full article

Velan Studios has expanded into Canada, opening a new office in Toronto. Read more View the full article

Pokémon Pokopia is finally out, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, as of today, and there's already a limited-time event on the way. Titled "More Spores for Hoppip," this event begins on Monday, March 9, at 1 p.m. PT and runs through Tuesday, March 24, at 12:59 p.m., and will give players the chance to befriend Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon. After befriending Hoppip, you can collect special cotton spores that will appear in your various biomes during the event. Once you've gathered enough, you can exchange the spores for picnic-themed furniture items to use in your habitats. With these new decorations, you can create new habitats to attract Hoppip's evolutions, Skiploom and Jumpluff. Hoppip, Skiploom, and Jumpluff cannot be encountered outside the event, so theoretically, you have from March 9 to March 24 to befriend them. However, people have already discovered that you can forward your Switch 2's internal clock to March 10 to take part in the event today – that means it might be possible to turn your clock back and partake in it, too, if you miss it during the officially scheduled times. Regardless, this event will only be available in towns with a rebuilt Pokémon Center and will not be available on Cloud Islands (it took me roughly 5 to 10 hours to get the first Pokémon Center built in-game, for reference). Also, you have until Sunday, January 31, 2027, to utilize the "Get via Internet" setting within the Mystery Gifts menu of Pokémon Pokopia to receive a special Ditto rug. If you can't access Mystery Gifts yet, keep playing, as it takes about 30 minutes of in-game playtime for this menu to become accessible. Pokémon Pokopia is available as of today, March 5, exclusively on Switch 2. For more, read Game Informer's Pokémon Pokopia review, and then check out everything announced at the recent Pokémon Presents showcase held last week. Are you picking up Pokémon Pokopia today? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Cheer Games has raised $4.5 million in its pre-seed round. Read more View the full article

Online marketplace Pitchify has launched a new service to match developers with suitable publishers. Read more View the full article

Kena: Bridge of Spirits originally launched on PlayStation and PC in 2021, then came to Xbox in 2024. Now, developer Ember Lab has revealed that Kena: Bridge of Spirits will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 sometime this Spring. The Switch 2 version will be a complete experience as it features the Anniversary DLC that originally launched in 2022. That DLC features Charmstones, Spirit Guide Trials, and new Kena Outfits, as well as additional accessibility features. It will also feature a New Game+ mode, which allows players to restart Kena's journey with all previously unlocked abilities, upgrades, outfits, Rot, and more, for redesigned, more challenging combat encounters. "Kena: Bridge of Spirits offers players an action-adventure game that combines compelling narrative with exploration, puzzle-solving, and fast-paced combat," Ember Lab writes in the description of the new Switch 2 trailer. "Players untangle the past as Kena, a young Spirit Guide in search of the sacred Mountain Shrine, helping free the spirits trapped in a forgotten village with the aid of the Rot – her adorable (yet powerful) spirit companions." In former Game Informer editor-in-chief Andrew Reiner's review of Kena: Bridge of Spirits back in 2021, he gave the game a 9 out of 10, writing, "Bridge of Spirits stumbles a little in spots, yet confidently sprints into the heart of the adventure, rewarding the player with secrets galore and visuals that are almost always worth admiring." Kena: Bridge of Spirits hits Switch 2 sometime this Spring. Today's announcement follows the recent reveal of a sequel, Kena: Scars of Kosmora, which is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC this year. There's no word on if the sequel will come to Switch 2 one day, but given the first game is (finally) hitting a Nintendo console, perhaps there is hope. Are you going to check out Kena: Bridge of Spirits on Switch 2? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

UK VR specialist nDreams has announced a wide-ranging restructuring that will include "significant reduction in overall staffing levels" and the closure of two of its internal studios. A consultation process was started with staff today. Read more View the full article

Nintendo launched Kirby Air Riders, a sequel to 2003's Kirby Air Ride on GameCube, back in November, and since then, players have been awaiting word on when the previously announced King Dedede (and Tank Star) amiibo would be released. After months of waiting, Nintendo has revealed it will hit stores on July 2, alongside news of two additional Kirby Air Riders amiibo on the way: Sword Kirby (and Dragoon) and Noir Dedede (and Hydra). Nintendo did not announce prices for these figures, but if they're priced like previously released Kirby Air Riders amiibo, you can expect them to reach into the $40 to $50 range. While the King Dedede amiibo is set to hit stores in July, there's no word on when Sword Kirby and Noir Dedede will be available for purchase. You can check out all three amiibo in the gallery below: Kirby Air Riders is available exclusively on Switch 2. For more, read Game Informer's Kirby Air Riders review, and then check out the latest sales figures for the game after that. Are you picking up these new amiibo? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Google has settled its longstanding dispute with Epic Games by updating its Play Store ecosystem, which includes reducing commission rates on in-app purchases to 20%. Read more View the full article

Former PlayStation and Xbox talent leader Fiona Cherback has launched Rocket Game Talent, a boutique agency providing AAA hiring expertise and strategies for indie studios. Read more View the full article

The launch of a new Bungie game is upon us as Marathon, the studio's Y2K sci-fi extraction FPS, launches tomorrow, on Thursday, March 5. Ahead of its launch, we have all the details you need to know about hopping in on release day, pre-loading the game today, when the game's servers go live, and more. Everything You Need To Know About Marathon's Launch Below, we'll list all of the things you might have questions about related to Marathon's launch on March 5. If you haven't already, read about the post-Server Slam feedback and changes being made to Marathon, and then check out these Server Slam stats. After that, read about Marathon Season 1 and how new content like Runner shells, maps, and more will be free for all players here. Marathon Launch TimesMarathon Launch Times The launch times for Marathon around the world will be listed below by time zones – the times are for March 5 (unless otherwise stated): Los Angeles: 10 a.m. PSTNew York: 1 p.m. ESTRio de Janeiro: 3 p.m. BRTLondon: 6 p.m. GMTBerlin: 7 p.m. CETSydney: 5 a.m. AEDT (March 6)Seoul: 3 a.m. KST (March 6)Tokyo: 3 a.m. JST (March 6)Marathon Pre-LoadMarathon Pre-Load You can pre-load Marathon right now if you preorder the game, regardless of platform. As a reminder, Marathon launches on Thursday, March 5, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Marathon Client DownloadMarathon Client Download If you hopped into the Marathon Server Slam last weekend, you will need to redownload Marathon from your chosen platform's store. That's because the Marathon Server Slam ran on a client different from the launch day client. Marathon Platforms, Crossplay, And Cross-SaveMarathon Platforms And Crossplay Marathon is playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (via Steam). Regardless of where you play Marathon, the game supports crossplay (allowing you to play with players on platforms other than where you're playing) and cross-save (your progression carries over regardless of the platform you're playing on). It's important to note, however, that in order to play Marathon on consoles, you will need a PS Plus subscription on PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Game Pass Core subscription (which replaced Xbox Live Gold) on Xbox Series X/S. Marathon Launch Day Build vs. Server Slam BuildMarathon Launch Day Build vs. Server Slam Build The final release build of Marathon will include the full suite of the game's progression systems, a new Runner shell, Outpost, and the following: Full faction and contract progressionAll six factions, including Sekiguchi GeneticsAll six launch Runner shells, including ThiefThree zones, including OutpostOutpost will unlock the day after launch (so March 6) to give players time to gear up and unlock the zone at Runner Level 1228 weapons, plus mods, implants, cores, and more to craft your Runner buildsEarnable cosmetics, achievements, and storytelling through the CodexBungie says the final release of Marathon includes fixes and updates informed by the recent Server Slam, including adjustments to PvP frequency on Perimeter (Beginner), with more changes to come. Cryo ArchiveCryo Archive Cryo Archive is an endgame experience that will go live "once you unlock the way into orbit in the second half of March," according to Bungie. It is a zone set within the derelict UESC Marathon ship that hangs in the sky above the planet of Tau Ceti. Ranked ModeRanked Mode Ranked Mode is arriving in Marathon as part of Season 1 and is expected to go live in the second half of March. Bungie says it will share more details closer to the mode's launch. Server Slam RewardsServer Slam Rewards If you played in the Server Slam, you might be expecting specific rewards based on what you did in the playtest. You can read more about those rewards here, but Server Slam cosmetic rewards and earned Arrival Caches (determined by the Runner level you achieved during the Server Slam) will roll out during the first day of Launch. Bungie says it will take some time for them to reach every player awaiting them, but don't worry if they aren't there when you first boot the game up. However, if you earned Server Slam rewards, you have to log in before Season 1 concludes to receive them. If you do not log on during Season 1, you will not receive your rewards. Twitch Drop RewardsTwitch Drops If you tuned into Twitch streamers playing Marathon during the Server Slam and secured specific Twitch Drops, Bungie says your rewards will be granted to your Bungie.net profile and delivered in-game on launch day. However, it says the Twitch Sponsored Kit may take up to 48 hours to arrive in your in-game Mailbox and must be redeemed by March 31. There will also be new Twitch Drops as part of Marathon's launch. To earn them: Link your Bungie.net account to your Twitch accountWatch Marathon streams in the Twitch Directory with Drops enabled during the launch windowClaim each reward from your Twitch Inventory, then log in to Marathon to receive themBelow are the Marathon launch day Twitch Drop rewards. You have between 10 a.m. PT, March 5, through 10 a.m. PT, March 9, to earn them: Weapon Sticker: Smol K.i.t.t.y. (Subscribe or Gift a Subscription to a Creator playing Marathon)Twitch Sponsored Kit, aka Standard in-game loot (Watch for 1 hour)Profile Emblem: Pink Graffiti Bingus (Watch for 1 hour)Profile Background: Pink Graffiti Bingus (Watch for 2 hours)Weapon Sticker: Pink Graffiti Bingus (Watch for 3 hours)Weapon Skin (Style): White and Purple – Ballistic Sniper (Watch for 4 hours) Bungie says players can also earn a new set of Twitch Drops during the Tau Ceti Cup on March 14, which it describes as "an event pitting creator teams against each other to prove they're the best Runner." Platform Weapon CharmsPlatform Weapon Charms Players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam will receive weapon charms unique to their platform. PlayStation players will receive the For Freedom, Battle Guitar, and Onryō weapon charms, and must visit the PlayStation Store to claim them when Marathon launches. Xbox players will automatically receive the Emerald Clutch and Emerald Catch weapon charms upon logging in at launch. Steam players will automatically receive the Crowbar weapon charm upon logging in at launch. Marathon Login QueuesMarathon Login Queues Bungie expects login queues on Marathon's launch day and says it will communicate status updates if it needs to perform maintenance via the Bungie Server Status accounts on X and Bluesky. It will also share updates in the Marathon community Discord. Reporting Marathon IssuesReporting Marathon Issues Visit Bungie's Help pages and forums on Bungie.net for troubleshooting and known issues. If you run into reward delivery problems, account linking errors, or crashes, this is a good place to start.You can also join the official Marathon Discord and follow MarathonDevTeam on X for alerts or to ask for help. And that's everything you need to know for Marathon's launch on March 5! If we're missing anything, let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Build a Rocket Boy is making further redundancies, blaming the games industry's "difficult period" and "corporate sabotage." Read more View the full article

The Assassin’s Creed series debuted in 2007, and since then, the series has become a fixture in the gaming landscape. It received reliable annual installments (or more!) for several years; that cadence has relented a bit now, but the franchise's long history has certainly left us with no shortage of Assassin’s Creed games to enjoy. But how do they stack up against each other? We originally published a version of this list back in 2015, but more Assassin's Creed games have released now, and some of our perspectives have shifted. So we are taking another look at the titles in the whole main series (no spin-offs or side-stories) and ranking them, highlighting the best moments and acknowledging the weaknesses in each. 15 Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation (2012) Even as the lowest entry on our list, we can’t say Liberation is a “bad” game. However, it was originally created for Vita (though an HD port was eventually made), and the system’s limitations are apparent in the design and gameplay. Apart from its gimmicky features and restricted scope, Liberation still feels like an AC game at its core. The combat is a fun balance of offense and defense, and the story does a good job exploring the gray area between Assassins and Templars. Heroine Aveline’s ability to use different personas to navigate New Orleans doesn’t pay off, but Liberation delivers solid action even if it doesn’t take the series into exciting new territory. 14 Assassin’s Creed III (2012) Ezio would be a hard act for any hero to follow, and AC III’s Connor struggles to live up to his predecessor’s legacy. Without much initiative of his own, he mainly does chores for important historical figures – and is coincidentally at the heart of every noteworthy event of the American Revolution. Narrative plausibility aside, this entry introduces some important and interesting elements, like naval combat and homestead-building. The colonial cities and vast wilderness aren’t as fun to explore as Renaissance Europe, but this ambitious installment tries to provide a wealth of content and and tell a complex, generation-spanning story. It may not succeed at every turn, but you can’t accuse AC III of not trying. 13 Assassin's Creed Mirage (2023) Since 2017's Assassin's Creed Origins, Ubisoft has continued to expand on the open-world possibilities of its marquee franchise. While this push for more has been received well by fans, there's been a distinct lack of focus on the tenets of Assassin's Creed that made this series what it is today: parkour, stealth, and assassination. Wanting to celebrate 15 years of Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft Bordeaux created Assassin's Creed Mirage, a lean back-to-basics entry that's the first in years you can beat in less than 80 hours. Through its roughly 15-hour story, players control Basim Ibn Is'haq, whom we first saw as an important character in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, in a coming-of-age story that sheds light on a secret period of the Hidden Ones order. While its story left us wanting a lot more out of it, especially with its anti-climactic and sudden ending, exploring the singular city of Baghdad using parkour and stealth was a treat. Gone were extended combat sequences, RPG mechanics, tiered loot, and sprawling adventures across entire countries; in its place, a slim reminder of where Assassin's Creed began as a franchise and what makes it special to begin with, even if Mirage's overall depth was shallower than we had hoped. 12 Assassin's Creed Revelations (2011) Up to this point in AC’s lineage, each entry in the series felt like a significant step forward. However, Revelations isn’t much different from Ezio’s other adventures; it has fun gameplay, cool missions, and a cinematic presentation. On one hand, it’s hard to complain about more of a good thing. On the other, that’s how franchise fatigue settles in. A tower-defense minigame is the only noteworthy addition – but it’s terrible and interferes with your enjoyment of the rest of the game, which makes the whole experience feel like a step down. Plus, even though Revelations brings closure to the Ezio/Altair storyline, Desmond’s modern-day arc stalls completely, so it doesn’t convey a larger sense of progress. 11 Assassin's Creed Rogue (2014) Did you like Black Flag? Then you’ll probably like Rogue, because it is basically the exact same game with different characters and cutscenes. The biggest improvements are removals, not additions; the aggravating tailing and eavesdropping missions from Black Flag are nowhere to be found. Otherwise, the experience is a familiar one – except this time you’re a Templar hunting Assassins, a story twist that doesn't fully realize its potential. Rogue leans heavily on proven parts of the AC formula. You sail around on a ship, deploy your fleet, capture territory, hunt for collectibles, and (of course) perform assassinations. While this stuff is always fun, Rogue's gameplay is too reiterative to be truly impressive. 10 Assassin's Creed Unity (2014) You’ve probably heard the horror stories about Unity, or even experienced them yourself. There’s no diplomatic way to say it: This game was a disaster at launch. Fans playing in the first few weeks encountered so many problems that Ubisoft issued a formal apology. The damage was already done in terms of public perception, but here’s the surprising part: Unity actually got pretty good once the holes were patched up. Today, players can absorb a relatively hassle-free vision of the French Revolution, with fun co-op missions, an interesting levelling mechanic, and an uncharacteristically challenging approach to combat. Plus, the relationship between Arno and Elise is well done, adding a personal touch to the story. 9 Assassin's Creed (2007) The original Assassin’s Creed may not have all of the expanded systems of later entries, but it has a clarity of vision and purpose that is masterfully executed. Most of AC’s open-world peers were about destruction in contemporary cities, but Ubisoft broke the mold by immersing players in a vast and mysterious ancient world that is still compelling today. The mix of stealth and action encourages you explore while being mindful of your surroundings, the combat is deliberate and unique, and the key assassinations have an almost puzzle-like quality. The missions preceding those assassinations are repetitive, but the hints of the larger narrative thread give players just enough to make them come back for more. 8 Assassin's Creed Shadows (2025) Ubisoft finally gave fans the feudal Japan-set Assassin's Creed game they'd been asking for (us included) with last year's Assassin's Creed Shadows, and it ruled. Tapping into some of the dual protagonist fun of Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Shadows sees players control Yasuke, a once Portuguese-owned warrior-slave who is now Oda Nobunaga's best samurai, and Naoe, the prototypical Assassin character whose family was wronged and is now on a journey of revenge and retribution. Though their story intertwines in interesting ways, the overall narrative of Shadows is, at best, serviceable. It's missing the twists, surprises, and excitement of a typical Assassin's Creed campaign, in part because it eschews the usual Assassins vs. Templars plot (including its associated sci-fi lore for longtime fans) in favor of a more deliberate and measured but ultimately too-familiar story of Japanese succession and Shogunate drama. Fortunately, where the story left us wanting more, Shadows' gameplay delivers with an excellent mix of slow and stealthy assassinations (by way of Naoe) and hulking in-your-face melee combat (courtesy of Yasuke). With arguably Ubisoft's most beautiful setting in 16th-century Japan, elevated by changing seasons that color the landscape with cherry blossoms galore in the Spring and gorgeous Autumnal forests later, Shadows' gameplay playground is both a feast for the eyes and a showcase of Ubisoft's time-honed mechanics. Feudal Japan in Assassin's Creed was worth the wait. 7 Assassin's Creed Origins (2017) Every installment in this series makes changes to the formula, but Origins represents the biggest shift from one entry to the next. By reimagining combat and progression, Origins takes steps into the RPG genre with elements like tiered gear, player levels, and an expanded skill tree. Despite those changes, Origins still has many series hallmarks, like the fascinating Egyptian setting and the struggle between factions vying for power. While this game boldly tries new things, that experimentation comes with mixed success. Though Origins’ risks are exciting, their rough-around-the-edges quality makes this experience feel like a first step in a larger evolution. 6 Assassin's Creed Valhalla (2020) Valhalla’s map might seem scaled-down compared to the massive size of Odyssey and Black Flag, but it arguably features more content than any Assassin’s Creed game to date. Spanning the entirety of England and two mythological realms (soon to be three, thanks to a massive 40-hour expansion coming in 2022), as well as Ireland courtesy of the Wrath of the Druids DLC, simply put, there’s no shortage of things to do in Valhalla. Be it sailing around English riverbanks, looting and plundering like the Viking king or queen Eivor is, assassinating Order of the Ancient members across the countryside, or laying waste to furry predators in Norway, you’re going to be busy having a bloody (literally) good time. Like its open-world RPG predecessors, it features morsels of lore for those interested in the larger Assassins vs. Templar conflict and features significant reveals that could shape future Assassin’s Creed games. But at the heart of Valhalla is a story of family, sacrifice, and revenge. If you need hundreds of hours of Assassin’s Creed gameplay, Valhalla has you covered. 5 Assassin's Creed II (2009) Fully embracing its open-world destiny, Assassin's Creed II gives players denser cities to explore, more activities to undertake, and a more engaging combat system. The introduction of Ezio, who is remains the series' most recognizable hero to date, is just one of AC II’s pivotal moves. It also establishes other key elements, like building and upgrading a headquarters, finding neat collectibles (like “the Truth”), and earning income over time. This entry is also a visual treat, recreating the splendor of Renaissance Italy in full effect, from the towering cathedrals to the winding waterways. With so much to do and see, getting lost in Assassin’s Creed II is inevitable. 4 Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013) In many ways, Black Flag is a deviation from the Assassin’s Creed titles that came before it – but it’s still a ton fun. As a treasure-hunting pirate, you trade the tall buildings and political conspiracies of previous games for the danger of the high seas. A pirate’s life is exciting, from the thrill of exploration to the chaos of naval battles – not to mention the sound of your crew singing sea shanties. The story feels underwhelming and fragmented, but you’re so caught up in conquering islands that you barely notice. If you approach Black Flag as a pirate fantasy rather than a traditional Assassin’s Creed game, you won’t be disappointed. 3 Assassin's Creed Odyssey (2018) Continuing the exploration of RPG territory started by Origins, Odyssey fully incorporates the new genre elements into the Assassin’s Creed structure. As a mercenary in Ancient Greece, players have a satisfying level of ownership over all of their exploits. Whether you’re making choices in dialogue or sailing across the huge map in your customized ship, the expansive sense of freedom in Odyssey is exhilarating. The skill tree gives you access to an array of exciting combat abilities, making you feel like an all-powerful force on the battlefield. The sheer volume of quests and activities mean that the tasks can get repetitive, but Odyssey’s exceptional post-launch support (via free updates and paid DLC) help inject variety into the adventure. 2 Assassin's Creed Syndicate (2015) A series can acquire a lot of baggage over multiple installments, implementing more features across several different games than could ever fit in a single entry. Syndicate sifts through the possibilities and assembles an almost perfect representation of the "classic style" Assassin’s Creed experience. The carefully crafted assassination missions (with great unique kills) and the compelling Victorian setting are the highlights fans would expect. However, the adventure still holds surprises; the new zipline reinvigorates traversal, and the upgrade system gives you a satisfying way to expand the abilities of the twin protagonists Jacob and Evie Frye. 1 Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010) Brotherhood strikes an almost perfect balance between judiciously refining the best parts of its predecessor and making its own mark on the series. While many elements return from AC II, the new mechanics Brotherhood contributes to the formula make it a deeper and more rewarding experience – but just by a hair. You are able to be more aggressive in combat, performing chain kills rather than waiting around for attacks to counter. Instead of upgrading a single base, Ezio renovates the entire city of Rome, claiming territory and improving shops to build Assassin influence. He also recruits his own initiates, calling on them in combat and sending them on missions that complete automatically in real-time. This layer of management makes players feel like more than a single blade in the crowd; it conveys a sense of overseeing and steering the fate of the Assassin order as a whole. Add in a clever competitive multiplayer mode, and Brotherhood becomes the ultimate Assassin’s Creed experience against which all others are measured. View the full article

Bonfire Studios manager and former Blizzard chief creative officer Rob Pardo will host a keynote address at GDC's Festival of Gaming. Read more View the full article

Hot off this week's announcement of Call of Duty's reworked battle-royale experience, Black Ops Royale, Treyarch has detailed what players can expect from its other multiplayer modes, including competitive multiplayer, Zombies, and the rest of Warzone. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7: Season 02 Reloaded offers new maps and modes across its various game pillars. As part of this mid-season update, players will receive new maps and modes for both Zombies and multiplayer, as well as Glitch Fractures and Nightmare Skills in Endgame, plus new weapons, blueprints, Operator skins, and more through events and weekly challenges. WarzoneIn Call of Duty's flagship battle-royale experience – in addition to the new Black Ops Royale – players can look forward to a new Perks refresh for Momentum, Berserker, and Hunter in both Battle Royale and Resurgence. Momentum will now improve close-quarters movement for tight-space warfare, and will improve weapon handling. Berserker gains a short burst of action speed after you eliminate a player. Hunter gets enhanced tracking, such as seeing the footprints of enemies you damage with your bullets, sensing enemies within 30 meters, and sensing when you're being aimed at. Meanwhile, Ghost Perk is being adjusted so you stay hidden for five seconds instead of one and a half seconds. ZombiesFor the wildly popular Zombies corner of Black Ops' package, players can expect a new round-based map called Paradox Junction. Here, The Warden traps the team in a temporal prison, and players must fight through a time loop to figure out how to escape – wow, typing that sentence really made me realize how far Call of Duty has come since I first played it as a straight-laced World War II game more than 20 years ago. In this new map, players will face down the Rad-Hound, which can move quickly and detonate radioactive explosions. However, players have a new way to combat the new threats, with the new Wonder Weapon, the returning Blundergat. The Blundergat uses its four barrels to shred hordes of encroaching enemies. You can also upgrade it to the Sundergat, which can rip souls free, blast charged Purges, and fire a focused Exile beam that obliterates whatever is in its way. And finally, Season 02 Reloaded introduces the Lockshot Scorestreak, which can eliminate multiple enemies with a single pull of the trigger, as well as the Turncoat GobbleGum, which can be used to turn nearby zombies temporarily into your allies. MultiplayerIn Black Ops 7's competitive mode, players can now join the fight in the new 6v6 map Torque, a remastered take on The Battle of Los Angeles from Black Ops 2, and another 6v6 map, Cliff Town, which is a reimagined version of Black Ops 2's Yemen. In its new form, Cliff Town is a town in Avalon. But it's not just 6v6 maps joining the rotation, as Mission: Peak, which joins 20v20 Skirmish, while the skatepark Grind and Firing Range training grounds both return from Black Ops 6. On the modes front, players can take part in Gauntlet mode, where they fight as a team across five different game modes played in rapid succession. Each mode lasts two minutes, so you're really bouncing between the modes to prove who is the most well-rounded in the group, jumping from Domination, Kill Confirmed, Hardpoint, Team Deathmatch, and Roulette. Meanwhile, Infected, where a single player is chosen at the start of the match with the goal to infect every other player, while the rest of the players fight to avoid getting infected. These additions are all capped off by a new Scorestreak, which offers a low-cost (costing 650) smart gun that can target multiple enemies at once. EndgameGlitch Fractures occur when you defeat a Strike Boss in a Nightmare Zone in the Avalon map to create a Glitch, which takes you to a completely separate arena with multiple waves of enemies and an intense Glitch Boss. If you defeat that Glitch Boss, you can further evolve your Operator's specialization with Nightmare Skills. These Nightmare Skills include explosions that are triggered when you're low on health, a trail of incendiary explosions when you wingsuit over an area, or even spawning a snowstorm that pulls enemies into it. Meanwhile, Endgame players can find Exotic Fabricators to upgrade their loadout and field acquisitions to Exotic rarity. Your first upgrade brings a weapon to Exotic rarity and damage, while subsequent upgrades add extra Utility Bonus and random Exotic Effects. If you're already fully upgraded, you're given the option to re-roll some elements, allowing you to work towards the Exotic weapon with the traits you're searching for. However, each Exotic Fabricator can only be used once. All of these updates arrive in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Call of Duty: Warzone beginning on Wednesday, March 11, at 9 a.m. PT across all platforms. For more on Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, be sure to check out our review here. View the full article

Digiphile is giving away free Steam keys for Planet Coaster! Grab it now before it´s too late! Planet Coaster ... View the full article

Ubisoft has announced that a 60 FPS patch is coming to Assassin's Creed Unity, its French Revolution-set game released in 2014, tomorrow, March 5, on PlayStation 5 and Xbox consoles. This news comes as part of a wider franchise update from Ubisoft today that detailed in-development Assassin's Creed projects like Codename Hexe, Codename Invictus, and more, including a tease for the long-rumored Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag remake. In the update, the new Assassin's Creed series Head of Content Jean Guesdon writes, "We know some of you have been waiting for it for a long time, so get ready to re-experience 18th Century Paris and Arno's fancy parkour moves with more smoothness on consoles," under the 60 FPS headline. That's all there is to the update, and if it's anything like the 60 FPS update for Assassin's Creed Syndicate that hit the game back in 2024, that's all you should expect: a patch that lets the game run at 60 FPS on PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Don't get your hopes up for some surprise new content or anything like that. The 60 FPS update for Assassin's Creed Unity hits the game tomorrow. In the meantime, read Game Informer's Assassin's Creed Unity review, and then read our ranking of the entire Assassin's Creed series. Are you hopping back into Assassin's Creed Unity tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Though Ubisoft has never confirmed the existence of an in-development remake of 2013's excellent Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, it has struggled to contain rumors that it's in the works. Between leaked art books, insider reports, and more, all signs point to it being real. Now, Ubisoft has added fuel to the fire with a pretty straightforward tease. The company released an Assassin's Creed franchise update today – read Game Informer's full report on it here – and in it, new Head of Content Jean Guesdon, who was also creative director on Black Flag, alluded to the rumored remake. "Speculation around Assassin's Creed is not new, but it's worth repeating: 'Nothing is true. Everything is permitted,'" Guesdon writes in the update. "Well, except in this case, some whispers have a little more wind in their sails. Keep your spyglass on the horizon." There's also a parrot emoji at the end of the sentence, adding another measure of clarity in case you doubt that this is a Black Flag remake tease. Oh, and there's also this lil piece of art that says Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced, too. There's not much else to say regarding this – that is a Black Flag remake tease if I've ever seen one, and given the quick "Keep your spyglass on the horizon" tag at the end, I'm guessing we'll be seeing this remake sooner than later. While waiting for its anticipated reveal, read Game Informer's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag review from 2013, and then read our Assassin's Creed Shadows review. What do you hope for in a potential Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag remake? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article