Gaming News

'Contact Me' — Cyberpunk Creator Mike Pondsmith Tells Keanu Reeves He Has Ways to Bring Johnny Silverhand Back From the Dead for Cyberpunk 2

Keanu Reeves would love to play Johnny Silverhand again, but how can he given the events of Cyberpunk 2077? It turns out Cyberpunk creator Mike Pondsmith has worked out a way to make it make sense, and has told the much-loved actor: “contact me.” In September, speaking with IGN while promoting his movie Good Fortune, Keanu Reeves said that he wanted to be part of the sequel to CD Projekt's 2020 game. “Absolutely. I’d love to play Johnny Silverhand again," Reeves said when asked if he’d be interested in revisiting his legendary rockstar terrorist character in Cyberpunk 2. Reeves's love-affair with the Cyberpunk community began with his viral "you're breathtaking" moment at E3 2019. Reeves, on-stage to announce the release date of...

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Xbox Console Exclusive Stalker 2 Is Set to Leave Game Pass in November and Some Subscribers Do Not Like That One Bit

Microsoft has confirmed the next batch of games set to leave Xbox Game Pass, and one in particular has caused a degree of frustration with subscribers: Stalker 2. GSC Game World’s Stalker 2 launched as an Xbox console exclusive last year alongside backing from Microsoft. While it is not an Xbox Game Studios-published video game, Microsoft played a key role in its marketing ahead of its much-delayed release date in November 2024. It even worked with the Ukrainian studio on a 90-minute documentary that revealed the difficulty the developers faced building the game amid Russia’s full-scale invasion. As confirmed by the Xbox app, Stalker 2 is set to leave Game Pass on November 16, 2025, alongside four other games detailed below. Games...

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Lagging out? Why Fast Speeds Can Be The Winning Difference

This ain’t the 90s, folks. Many - if not most - games today don’t just live on a disc or a one-time download anymore. They live online as live services, delivered through patches, DLC drops, seasonal updates, ranked matches and live-service events. Did you know your internet speed plan and home setup might be the final boss standing between you waiting to download the latest patch and actually playing it? Now that nbn has introduced accelerated wholesale speeds on select Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) plans across Australia, eligible gamers have a chance to unlock a smoother connection that is built for the demands of today and designed to be ready for what is coming next. Here is why speed can make a...

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The Best Deals Today: Bleach Rebirth of Souls, Resident Evil Requiem, and More

We've rounded up the best deals for Sunday, November 2, below, so don't miss out on these limited-time offers. Bleach Rebirth of Souls for $34.99 Bleach Rebirth of Souls was the first major Bleach game release in many years, with Bandai Namco and Tamsoft bringing the iconic series to modern platforms as a fighter. All of the most iconic Bleach characters are here, including Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, and even Coyote Stark. Save $25 off the base game this weekend with this deal at Woot. Pre-Order Resident Evil Requiem Resident Evil Requiem officially opened pre-orders late last week ahead of its February 27 release date next year. While a standard edition is available, the more interesting edition is the...

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Counter-Strike at 25: How Valve’s Iconic Shooter Redefined Competitive FPS Gaming

If DOOM can be globally recognised as the godfather of the FPS genre at large, then surely Valve’s Counter-Strike must be thought of in similar statuesque terms when we come to terms with its impact on the online multiplayer FPS sphere. Nothing less than a games industry juggernaut with the global recognition to match, this is how, on its 25th anniversary, Valve’s Counter-Strike utterly redefined the online multiplayer FPS landscape and revolutionised a genre in the process. The Origins of Counter-Strike: How a Half-Life Mod Sparked a 25-Year Legacy Rather than being created in a vacuum, Counter-Strike was instead birthed from the design DNA of another legendary Valve shooter, Half-Life. Originally developed as a mod for Half-Life by...

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ARC Raiders Review in Progress

I thought I was only going to play five or six hours of ARC Raiders on launch day before sitting down to write this initial review-in-progress, but after just a handful of matches, I suddenly couldn’t pull myself away – and before I realized it, I’d been playing for 10 hours. This is without question the most hooked I’ve found myself on an extraction shooter (and I’ve played a lot of them), with clean and tense gunplay, a progression system that’s been incredibly satisfying so far, and a loot game that has me sweating over what to put in my backpack and what to leave behind. I’ve still got loads more to do and see before I can draw any final conclusions, but what I have played has made an incredibly good first impression. ARC Raiders...

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Europa Universalis 5 Review

When I load up Europa Universalis 5, Paradox's latest and most ambitious grand strategy game, I am reminded of a news report I once saw about a man who grew up in a tribal village seeing an airplane for the first time. This can't possibly be real, right? This giant piece of metal can't fly through the sky at hundreds of miles an hour? Attempting to conquer the 500-year period from 1337 to 1837 CE while modeling every single individual person in the world – yes, you heard that right – at a level of detail that's completely unprecedented, seems unbelievable. But it really does all of that. And it's generally quite engaging and enjoyable for a genre veteran like me. As for whether it can soar? Only just. There is a lot of turbulence, and I...

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Painkiller Review

Every now and then, some suit at a publisher looks at a beloved series they own, realizes they could make it into a live service co-op game, and says, out loud, “I know this has never worked for anyone else, but it might work for us.” It never does, of course; it makes the original fanbase angry, and oftentimes the franchise is old enough that new players don’t even know what it is. The result is a game for no one, a whole lot of nothing driven by market forces and the deluded belief that somehow, some way, this time the idea is just better than all of the previous times it’s been tried. This time, they, chosen by God, will be immune from whatever effects have frustrated lesser mortals. The latest game in this doomed genre is...

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Indie Game Gets 'The Best Accidental Marketing' in Japan After Title Mistranslated to 'Sh***y Dungeon'

With all the indie titles being released on Steam every week, it can be hard to make your game stand out. Italian developer Fix-a-Bug accidentally gave its 2D dungeon crawler a big prelaunch popularity boost in Japan by accidentally naming the game “Shitty Dungeon” in Japanese. Although the game’s English title is The Crazy Hyper-Dungeon Chronicles, its Japanese language Steam Store page ended up displaying the title as Kuso Danjon. This means “Shitty Dungeon” or “Crap Dungeon,” if you want to be slightly more polite. In a recent interview with Game*Spark spotted by Automaton, developer Paolo Nicoletti explained that the ‘shitty dungeon incident’ occurred back in August this year, when the team was releasing a demo version of the game...

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Arc Raiders Is Already One of the Biggest Extraction Shooters Ever on Steam

Arc Raiders has only been out a day, but it has already surpassed a Steam concurrent peak player count of 264,673, making it one of the biggest extraction shooters ever on Valve's platform. Given Arc Raiders ended its recent 'Server Slam' playtest with big player numbers on Steam, developer Embark Studio was likely braced for a bumper launch day. Which is just as well, as it's currently one of the biggest games on Steam; just Battlefield 6, Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, PUBG, and viral hit Escape from Duckov clocked up bigger 24-hour peaks. This means more people played Arc Raiders on Steam in the last 24-hours than even free-to-play titles like Apex Legends and Marvel Rivals. The true number of players Arc Raiders has will of course be...

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Silent Hill 2 Remake on Xbox Pops Up On ESRB Website

We have good news for patient Silent Hill fans who have been waiting for a chance to play Silent Hill 2 Remake on an Xbox console — a new rating listing has popped up on the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). While the ESRB already had the horror game listed, of course, it previously only provided a rating for the game on PlayStation 5 and PC, giving a 17+ rating on account of its blood, gore, sexual themes, strong language, and violence. And now, a similar rating has been added to the site specifically for the "Xbox Series" platform. It's unlikely to be a surprise to most — we already knew that the remake of the horror game was a year-long console exclusive for PS5, and that expired last month — but it's good news...

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Indie Video Games Round-Up – November 2025

We’re edging ever closer to Christmas now, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing down the flood of new game releases. If anything, things are busier than ever – especially for indie games. We’ve rounded up the best indie titles launching in November, so you’ll know exactly what to keep an eye on. It’s a packed month with all kinds of genres on show, so let’s dive in. Tavern Keeper – 3rd November Tavern Keeper takes the classic management sim and drops it into a high-fantasy world. The result looks delightfully charming, with players juggling everything from hungry patrons to the occasional fire – because dragons and orcs aren’t exactly predictable guests. There’s even a full campaign if you’re in it for the story, but we reckon plenty...

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Enter the Shadows: The Halloween Horrors Bundle Has Arrived

This Halloween, the monsters aren’t just coming out to play – they’re here to stay. The Halloween Horrors Bundle unites six unforgettable titles that explore fear, tension, and the twisted beauty of the unknown. From supernatural thrillers to haunting psychological journeys, this is the ultimate collection for players who dare to face the dark. Even better, every purchase supports Safe In Our World, the video games mental health charity helping to raise awareness, provide support, and foster wellbeing across the gaming community. With this bundle, you’ll experience horror that stays with you, for all the right reasons. Six Terrifying Worlds Await Control Ultimate Edition: Unravel the mysteries of the Federal Bureau of Control in...

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Fortnite Sidekicks Are Here, Epic Confirms You Can Customize the Appearance of Your Pet Just Once and It's Permanent

Fortnite's Sidekicks, the adorable little pets that accompany you on your Fortnite adventures, have caused quite a stir with Fortnite fans — and not necessarily for all the right reasons. As described by Epic Games, Sidekicks are new pals in Fortnite that join your adventures in Battle Royale, Fortnite Save the World, Fortnite Festival (your Sidekick will stay backstage), LEGO Fortnite, and developer-made experiences (Sidekicks can only tag along with you if the Island Developer has enabled Sidekicks in their island). They let you "enjoy their company as they react to the world around you." You can design them yourself, including their personality and physical traits, all of which will be locked in as "permanent" details, but you'll be...

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Battlefield 6 Hidden Room Discovery has Players Developing Theories and Searching for Easter Eggs

Battlefield 6 players are trading theories about Easter Eggs and future updates after one fan discovered a mysterious hidden room in the firing range. Speculation about EA and Battlefield Studios’ secret room began after Reddit user Mobile_Cyberdemon_as shared footage of their character clipping into a previously undiscovered, hidden area. The unlit space is tucked behind the cramped weapon testing room, with only a sealed door — which features a red “keep door closed” sign — hinting at its existence. After a few minutes of trying (and lots of awkward crouching) on PlayStation 5, we were able to recreate the moment seen in the clip and confirm the hidden Battlefield 6 room exists. We can also confirm this mysterious hiding spot is...

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AU Deals: Handpicked Game Discounts You Can’t Afford to Miss Today

Sometimes the smartest way to spend is on games that just keep giving. Today's lineup is stacked with titles that offer serious mileage for your money, whether you’re craving long-haul RPGs, roguelike reruns, or cinematic campaigns that beg for a second playthrough. From modern masterpieces to hidden-gem indies, every pick below packs hours of entertainment (and in a few cases, for the cost of a coffee). Contents Retro Nintendo Xbox PlayStation PC LEGO This Day in Gaming 🎂 In retro news, I'm using the sparks from an unexplained Canyonero fire to light a 22-candle cake for The Simpsons Hit and Run. I have vivid memories of booting this Springfield sandboxer at launch and feeling my justified scepticism fall away (because I'd already...

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Stock Up on a Four-Pack 6.6-Feet 240W USB Type-C Cables for Just $12 on Amazon

USB Type-C has become the standard for charging and data cables alike, so it's good to have extra on hand. Here's a great back to school deal where you can get some quality cables at a throwaway price. Amazon is offering a four-pack of Lisen 6.6ft 240W USB Type-C cables for just $11.99 after you apply coupon code "J5Y7AG39". That averages out to $3 per cable. USB Type-C cables typically go for about $10 per cable or more at your local big box store. These can charge nearly any device with a USB-C port, including your Nintendo Switch 2, iPhone 16, or even the new M4 MacBook. 4-Pack of Lisen 6.6ft 240W USB Type-C Cables for $11.99 Keep your cable collection simple. These cables measure 6.6 feet in length, which is a great general...

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It Looks Like Amazon's The Lord of the Rings MMO Is Dead

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings MMO appears to have been canceled as part of sweeping layoffs that hit the company’s gaming business hard. This week, Amazon confirmed it was walking away from making new content for its MMO, New World, amid huge layoffs affecting 14,000 roles at the company. According to a report by Bloomberg, these layoffs included “significant” cuts to Amazon’s video game operation, which will reduce development work and layoff staff mainly in its Irvine and San Diego offices. Bloomberg said Amazon was cutting back especially on MMOs. That sparked concern for The Lord of the Rings MMO. Now, one former Amazon Games developer hit by the cuts has indicated the game has indeed fallen by the wayside. “This morning I was...

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Resident Evil Requiem Is Up for Preorder: Here’s What Comes in Each Edition

Resident Evil Requiem is set to release for PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC on February 27. It puts you in the shoes of Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who, unlike most Resident Evil protagonists, is not used to fighting horrific enemies. It will also let you switch between first- and third-person perspectives at any time. RE Requiem is available to preorder now (see it at Amazon). It’s coming out in a number of editions, with some neat extras to go along with it, so read on for a breakdown of what comes in each one. Resident Evil Requiem - Standard Edition PS5 Get it at Amazon - $69.99 - free poster Get it at Best Buy - $69.99 Get it at GameStop - $69.99 Get it at PS Store (digital) - $69.99 Switch 2 (Game-Key Card)...

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Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's Monster Capture Patent Rejected, May Signal Problems for Their Palworld Lawsuit

Nintendo has run into another issue during its ongoing legal battle against Pocketpair’s open-world survival game Palworld. As reported by GamesFray, one of the Nintendo patents related to the case has been rejected by the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for lacking originality. Back in September 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company officially announced they were filing a patent infringement lawsuit in Japan against Pocketpair’s open-world survival game Palworld. The case involves three main patents granted by the JPO: two related to monster capture and release, and one related to riding characters. These patents were all filed and approved in 2024, but are derived from earlier Nintendo patents dating from 2021. It seems that Nintendo...

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Resident Evil Requiem's Switch 2 Pro Controller Is Up for Preorder

Resident Evil Requiem is getting its very own Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which will release alongside the game on February 27, 2026, and is now up for preorder at Best Buy, costing $99.99. It's the first Switch 2 game to get its own Pro Controller, and, at $10 more than the standard Switch 2 Pro Controller ($89), likely sets the pricing precedent for these special edition gamepads. The controller keeps the same black-gray color scheme as the standard model, but stands out with an RE-themed front faceplate that looks like a newspaper clipping from Raccoon City. The words "Resident Evil" appear prominently at the top, with "Requiem" just beneath it, while the rest of the design features snippets of in-universe articles and...

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Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection Review

Even 33 years after its debut, the Mortal Kombat series can still shock and impress with its over-the-top violence and gory spectacle. That feels especially true with the latest game compilation and documentary release from developer Digital Eclipse, which not only brings the earliest Mortal Kombat games back for another round but also offers deeper insight into their history and how this brutal fighting series was brought to life. Though the collection falls just a bit short of executing a proper Fatality due to a few unfortunate omissions and some uneven balance and polish for the games that are here, it still offers enough of a comprehensive and engaging dive into the genre’s most infamous franchise to make for a killer package...

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Capcom Gets Behind Nintendo Switch 2 With Resident Evil Requiem Switch 2 Pro Controller, the First Ever Resident Evil Amiibo, and a RE7, RE8, RE Requi

Capcom is throwing the full force of Resident Evil Requiem at the Nintendo Switch 2 with a number of exclusive announcements for the console. First up is the Resident Evil Requiem-themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which Nintendo will release alongside the game on February 27, 2026. Next is the Resident Evil Generation Pack, due out for Nintendo Switch 2, which contains: Resident Evil Requiem Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition Resident Evil Village Gold Edition And finally, the first ever Resident Evil amiibo is on its way in the form of Grace Ashcroft, the game’s playable character. It’s due out summer 2026. Of course, given the speculation around Leon also being a playable character in Resident Evil Requiem, fans are...

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Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition Includes Lady Dimitrescu Costume for Grace, Preorders Get Apocalypse Costume

Capcom has opened preorders for Resident Evil Requiem and in doing so confirmed the various editions of the game and their bonuses. Preorders come with the Apocalypse costume for playable character Grace. It rekindles memories of 2004 movie Resident Evil: Apocalypse, starring Milla Jovovich as Alice. The deluxe edition, meanwhile, includes five costumes, one of which is Lady Dimitrescu for Grace, and two screen filters, one of which is Apocalypse. You also get four weapon skins, two charms, a custom sound pack (Raccoon City Classic), and additional in-game files (Letters from 1998). Lady Dimitrescu is of course the star of 2021's Resident Evil Village, a character who broke out from the confines of the franchise to become a genuine...

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Battlefield 6 Season 1 Map Blackwell Fields in the Firing Line as Players Report Being Killed From as Far Away as Enemy HQ Spawn Points

Battlefield 6 Season 1 is here, and players have already turned their attention to one major issue: Blackwell Fields. The California sun-soaked fields of EA and Battlefield Studios’ first new post-launch map are home to an army of oil pumpjacks, smoky hills, and an orange tint that blankets every scrap of metal and radio tower. It also happens to be what some believe is “hands down the worst map in the game” if not “the worst map in BF history.” This week's Season 1 launch was meant to be the first in a long line of exciting moments for Battlefield players. Instead, it’s kicked off seasonal updates on a sour note, as fans flock to criticize Blackwell Fields as a wasteland that suffers from a lack of cover for infantry and vehicles...

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AU Deals: Some Spooky Good Halloween Discounts on PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Games Today

Sometimes I look at my games library and wonder if I’ve accidentally started a museum of not-gonna-replay-that masterpieces. But here I am again, staring at some irresistible price tags to expand the haul even further. The latest round of sales spans everything from haunting detective stories to chaotic co-op mayhem, and these are the highlights worth clicking "add to cart" on. Contents Retro Nintendo Xbox PlayStation PC LEGO This Day in Gaming 🎂 In retro news, I'm using a ninja grenade to light a 27-candle cake baked for Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, the rooftop-skulking stealthfest where patience was paramount. I was hooked on this from day one, squinting at my CRT through the darkness, convinced I was the deadliest shadow since...

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Battlefield REDSEC Review in Progress

After a few long sessions since yesterday’s surprise launch of Battlefield REDSEC, the free-to-play battle royale spin-off of Battlefield 6, it’s clearly coming after other grounded-ish military battle royales like PUBG and Call of Duty: Warzone. Hiding a fun mission structure within its streamlined familiarity — as well as an entire non-BR game mode — I’ve had the most fun when its map, called Fort Lyndon, is used to push the boundary beyond the requisite ever-shrinking storm. I still need some more time in the fray to nail down a final opinion, especially since most of the random squadmates I’ve matched up with in the main BR modes haven’t exactly been playing as a team. But for now, the squad-based, elimination-driven, free-for-all...

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Get October’s Humble Choice for $10 (for a Limited Time)

Humble Choice is always a good deal for PC gamers who like a variety of game types. But the online storefront just launched a promo code that gets you October’s Humble Choice games for just $10, rather than the usual $14.99. All you have to do is enter promo code SPOOKY25 at checkout, and you’ll save $5. This month’s eight-game lineup is pretty great, with Atomic Hearts, V Rising, System Shock, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, and more. Read on for the details. Humble Choice - October 2025 Here’s the full list of PC games included in this months’ Humble Choice: Atomic Heart V Rising System Shock Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Cryptmaster Shogun Showdown Hotel Renovator Caravan SandWitch One Month of IGN Plus...

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Remedy CEO Steps Down Following FBC: Firebreak's Sales Flop

Remedy Entertainment's CEO has resigned, leaving the new CEO of the developer of Control and Alan Wake to reassure investors after weak sales of FBC: Firebreak left the company significantly lowering its revenue expectations for the year and writing off the game's development costs. In its quarterly earnings report issued today, Remedy revealed that it recognized a €14.9 million ($17.4 million) impairment charge representing most of the development costs as well as purchased publishing and distribution rights for FBC: Firebreak. In total, Remedy's revenue decreased 32% year-over-year, to €12.2 million ($14.2 million). Remedy says this was largely driven by lower development fees coming in than last year at this time, during which it...

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Battlefield REDSEC Launches to 'Mostly Negative' Steam Reviews as Battlefield 6 Players Push for Battle Pass Changes and Bigger Maps

EA just introduced its new, destructive take on battle royale with Battlefield REDSEC, and Battlefield 6 base game players are already slamming it with “Mostly Negative” Steam reviews. PC users who head to Steam to check out the standalone Battlefield experience, which launched across PC and consoles for free yesterday, will be met with a flood of negative Steam reviews across the board. At the time of this piece’s publication, just 35% of REDSEC Steam user reviews were positive, with positive reviews in all languages fairing just slightly better at 39%. Both measurements result in a dark red, Mostly Negative label. A wave of negativity for Battlefield’s latest crack at battle royale arrives as Battlefield 6 players continue to...

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