August 26, 2025 Get Ready to Explore San Vansterdam, an Ever-Evolving Skateboarding Sandbox, and Experience the Best Skateboarding Gameplay in the Franchise Watch the skate. Early Access Release Date Trailer HERE. REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Full Circle announced that skate., the next chapter of the award-winning skateboarding video game franchise, will launch into Early Access on September 16 for PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app. skate. is free-to-download, cross-platform,* and cross-progression,* making it as accessible as possible for both longtime skate. franchise fans, and newcomers alike.Set in the vibrant city of San Vansterdam, skate. is a multiplayer skateboarding destination offering a massive open world where players discover unique skate spots, land insane tricks and connect - or compete - with friends online. With four unique neighborhoods - Hedgemont, Gullcrest, Market Mile and Brickswich - each offering its own distinct vibe and challenges, the city is a huge playground for skaters. From parks and plazas to rooftops and massive ramps, every corner is packed with skateable spots, including the House of Rolling Reverence, a former church transformed into a trick haven for skaters.At the core of skate. is the restored and improved Flick-It System, brought back to life through the Frostbite™ Engine to deliver the best skateboarding experience we have ever offered. With unparalleled precision and control, Flick-It brings the magic of the franchise back to life for a new generation of players. skate. also“skate. is not just a return, it’s a complete evolution of the franchise that’s built to last," said Mike McCartney, Executive Producer of skate. “Our goal with skate. is to capture the freedom, creative expression and community of skateboarding, and share it with as many people as possible. From day one, our priority has been to honor the legacy of the franchise while pushing it into a bold new future - one built in partnership with our players.”In skate., players can discover new ways to explore and get vertical with new off-board controls, giving them total freedom to roam, climb and find epic new spots. Additional features like Quick Drop allow players to place ramps, rails, benches and more anywhere in the world to fine-tune their perfect spot. skate. offers players the ability to find their own fun with endless activities, including rotating world map challenges - such as Line Challenges, Own The Spot and Sessions - as well as high-energy Throwdowns with friends. The new Spectate mode lets players instantly find the action and use Spectaport to jump straight into any live session.Collaborative development with skate. fans and the community have always been a priority throughout our development process. Player feedback has been welcome all throughout playtesting and something Full Circle will continue to look at during the game’s Early Access period. During Early Access, players can expect to see new content every season, offering fresh challenges, cosmetics, music, world updates, and new events each season.“Community is the heart of skateboarding, and it’s the heart of skate.,” said Jeff Seamster, Head of Creative on skate. “From day one, we’ve aimed to create an open, welcoming space shaped by players. We’ve built this game alongside our community - listening, learning and evolving together. Whether you’re a seasoned skater or just dropped in, skate. is a place to express yourself, connect and grow. No gatekeepers, no barriers - just a city built for skating and a community that keeps it alive. Early Access is a huge milestone in that journey, and we’re hyped to keep growing San Vansterdam with our crew around the world.”skate. launches into Early Access on September 16 on PlayStation® 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation® 4, Xbox One & PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app. Stay tuned - there’s much more to come from skate.For more information on skate., visit: https://www.ea.com/games/skate/skate.*Conditions & restrictions apply. See https://go.ea.com/skate-cross-play for details.PRESS ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE AT EAPressPortal.comAbout Electronic ArtsElectronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.In fiscal year 2025, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. Jino Talens Integrated Comms Director jtalens@ea.com Source: Electronic Arts Inc. Multimedia Files:

Since we first announced Lumines Arise during the State of Play in June, we’ve been inundated with the same question from fans: When will the demo be available?! And the answer is…right now! You can play the limited-time Lumines Arise Demo on PlayStation 5 now through September 3 and try out three single-player stages and help us network test the all-new multiplayer Burst Battle mode. We also have a release date for the full game—November 11, 2025. Pre-orders start today (and include a 10% discount for PS Plus subscribers!)—go to the PS Store page for that and to download the demo. Lumines for all Never played a Lumines game before? Or forgot how it works? Or never “got it” in the first place? Good news: Arise is incredibly easy for anyone to get into, thanks to an excellent interactive tutorial that walks you through everything, step-by-step. (And even old pros won’t wanna miss the intro to new mechanics like Burst!) The Demo only features one difficulty (Easy – the final game will have four different levels), but you’ll also find robust options to fit every play style under “Accessibility” in the Options menu. Want to just groove to the music and not worry about time pressure, or a “Game Over” when you top out? Try the “No Stress Lumines” options for that! Want to strip away the visual flourishes to focus more on the gameplay? There’s options for that! Or playing on your PlayStation Portal and want to zoom in to get the most out of your portable screen real estate? There’s options for that, too! Play Video An all-new multiplayer experience Burst Battle represents a complete reinvention of multiplayer Lumines, borrowing from the competitive-puzzle-game greats, but adding a twist all its own. Now, both players have an entire playfield to themselves and can send garbage blocks to attack their opponent. You generate these attacks by clearing 2×2 (or larger) Squares, or by triggering the all-new Burst mechanic (where you have a few Timeline passes to build a single color match as large as possible). The bigger the Burst, the larger the deluge your opponent will face! Meanwhile, garbage blocks can pile up on the sides, shrinking the available playfield—only matching blocks adjacent to garbage will clear it out. This ebb and flow can get super tense and really fun, I hope you try it out! The Demo features a taste of Burst Battle via matchmaking, but the full version of the game will offer friend / CPU matches, custom matches, and local play. And you’ll get to select your favorite stage music / block-visuals that you unlocked in the single-player Journey mode to use in multiplayer; it’s kind of like having your own theme song as you head into battle! Everyone’s here—including Astro Bot? Starting today, you can pre-order the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition of Lumines Arise on PlayStation Store. And as mentioned above, PS Plus members get a 10% discount on the pre-order. The Digital Deluxe Edition (also available as an upgrade to the Standard Edition) includes the full game and four exclusive Loomii in-game avatars. You can customize your Loomii in-game to match your personality, and the set in the Digital Deluxe Edition includes skins based on Tetris Effect: Connected, Rez Infinite, Humanity, and, what’s this—Astro Bot is appearing as a guest as well! A big thank you to our friends at Team Asobi for making this crossover possible. The image above is just a preview—the final look of these avatars will be revealed soon. Also, because it wouldn’t be Lumines Arise news without some new music, a new single from the soundtrack has been released. Hydelic’s hypnotically thumping anthem “Dreamland” is the sonic backdrop of the Chameleon Groove stage from the Demo, and is available now on Bandcamp with a release soon on your favorite streaming services. We know that after you play the demo, you’ll want to add this to your favorite daily playlist. A quick note for PS VR2 owners: unfortunately VR mode couldn’t make it in time for this demo, but we can confirm it will be available at launch on November 11! Thank you for all your passion and excitement for VR, and in this case, for your patience. (And maybe you’ll get a glimpse of Arise in VR somewhere sometime before launch after all…?) We hope you’ll check out the Demo, tell us what you think, and get ready for the launch of the full game on November 11.

After a long, busy day, you boot up your gaming device but don’t quite feel like diving into an intense session. Instead, you open a broadcast of one of your favorite streamers and spend the evening laughing at commentary, reacting to unexpected moments, and just enjoying your time with fellow gamers. Sounds familiar?This everyday scenario perfectly captures the way live streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or Kick have transformed the gaming experience — turning gameplay into shared moments where gamers broadcast in real-time while viewers watch, chat, learn, and discover new titles.What started as friends sharing gameplay clips has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar ecosystem where streamers are popular creators, viewers build communities around shared experiences, and watching games has become as popular as playing them. But how did streaming become such a powerful force in gaming – and what does it mean for players, creators, and the industry alike? Let’s find out!Why Do Gamers Love Streaming?So why are millions of gamers spending hours every week watching others play instead of jumping into a game themselves? The answer isn’t just one thing – it’s a mix of entertainment, learning, connection, and discovery that makes live streaming uniquely compelling. Let’s break it down.Entertainment at Your Own PaceSometimes, you just want to relax. Maybe you’re too mentally drained to queue up for ranked matches or start that complex RPG quest. Streaming offers the perfect low-effort alternative – the fun of gaming without needing to press a single button. Whether it's high-stakes gameplay, hilarious commentary, or unpredictable in-game chaos, streams let you enjoy all the excitement while kicking back on the couch, grabbing a snack, or chatting in the background.Learning and Skill DevelopmentStreaming isn’t just for laughs – it’s also one of the best ways to level up your own gameplay. Watching a skilled streamer handle a tricky boss fight, execute high-level strategies, or master a game’s mechanics can teach you far more than a dry tutorial ever could. Many gamers tune in specifically to study routes, tactics, builds, or even to understand if a game suits their playstyle before buying it. Think of it as education, but way more fun.Social Connection and CommunityOne of the most powerful draws of live streaming is the sense of community. Jumping into a stream isn’t like watching TV – it’s like entering a room full of people who love the same games you do. Chatting with fellow viewers, sharing reactions in real-time, tossing emotes into the chaos, and getting shoutouts from the streamer – it all creates a sense of belonging. For many, it’s a go-to social space where friendships, inside jokes, and even fandoms grow.Discovery of New Games and TrendsEver found a game you now love just because you saw a streamer play it? You’re not alone. Streaming has become a major discovery engine in gaming. Watching creators try new releases, revisit cult classics, or spotlight lesser-known indies helps players find titles they might never encounter on their own. Sometimes, entire genres or games blow up because of a few well-timed streams (Among Us, Vampire Survivors, Only Up! – all made big by streamers).Together, these draws have sparked a whole new kind of culture – gaming communities with their own languages, celebrities, and shared rituals.Inside Streaming CultureStreaming has created something unique in gaming: genuine relationships between creators and audiences who've never met. When Asmongold reacts to the latest releases or penguinz0 delivers his signature deadpan commentary, millions of viewers don't just watch – they feel like they're hanging out with a friend. These streamers have become trusted voices whose opinions carry real weight, making gaming fame more accessible than ever. Anyone with personality and dedication can build a loyal following and become a cultural influencer.If you've ever watched a Twitch stream, you've witnessed chat culture in action – a chaotic river of emotes, inside jokes, and reactions that somehow make perfect sense to regulars. "KEKW" expresses laughter, "Poggers" shows excitement, and memes spread like wildfire across communities. The chat itself becomes entertainment, with viewers competing to land the perfect reaction at just the right moment. These expressions often escape their stream origins, becoming part of the broader gaming vocabulary.For many viewers, streams have become part of their daily routine – tuning in at the same time, celebrating milestones, or witnessing historic gaming moments together. When a streamer finally beats that impossible boss, the entire community shares in the victory. These aren't just individual entertainment experiences — they're collective memories where thousands can say "I was there when it happened," creating communities that extend far beyond gaming itself.How Streamers Are Reshaping the Gaming IndustryWhile players tune in for fun and connection, behind the scenes, streaming is quietly reshaping how the gaming industry approaches everything from marketing to game design. What started as casual gameplay broadcasts is now influencing major decisions across studios and publishers.The New Marketing Powerhouse. Traditional game reviews and advertising have taken a backseat to streamer influence. A single popular creator playing your game can generate millions of views and drive massive sales overnight – just look at how Among Us exploded after a few key streamers discovered it, or how Fall Guys became a phenomenon through streaming momentum. Publishers now prioritize getting their games into the hands of influential streamers on launch day, knowing that authentic gameplay footage and reactions carry more weight than any trailer or review. Day-one streaming success has become make-or-break for many titles.Designing for the Stream. Developers are now creating games with streaming in mind. Modern titles include built-in streaming tools, spectator-friendly interfaces, and features that encourage viewer interaction like chat integration and voting systems. Games are designed to be visually clear and exciting to watch, not just play. Some developers even create "streamer modes" that remove copyrighted music or add special features for streamers. The rise of streaming has birthed entirely new genres — party games, reaction-heavy horror titles, and social deduction games all thrive because they're inherently entertaining to watch.The Creator Economy Boom. Streaming has created entirely new career paths and revenue streams within gaming. Successful streamers earn through donations, subscriptions, brand partnerships, and revenue sharing from platform-specific features like Twitch bits or YouTube Super Chat. This has spawned a massive creator economy where top streamers command six-figure sponsorship deals, while publishers allocate significant budgets to influencer partnerships rather than traditional advertising. The rise of streaming has also fueled the growth of esports, where pro players double as entertainers – drawing massive online audiences and blurring the line between competition and content.Video Game Streaming in NumbersWhile it’s easy to feel the impact of streaming in daily gaming life, the numbers behind the trend tell an even more powerful story. From billions in revenue to global shifts in viewer behavior, game streaming has grown into a massive industry reshaping how we play, watch, and connect. Here’s a look at the data driving the movement.Market Size & GrowthIn 2025, the global Games Live Streaming market is projected to generate $15.32 billion in revenue. By 2030, that figure is expected to reach $18.92 billion, growing at an annual rate of 4.32%.The average revenue per user (ARPU) in 2025 stands at $10.51, showing consistent monetization across platforms.China remains the single largest market, expected to bring in $2.92 billion this year alone.Source: Statista Market Insights, 2025Viewership & Daily HabitsThe number of users in the live game streaming market is forecast to hit 1.8 billion by 2030, with user penetration rising from 18.6% in 2025 to 22.6% by the end of the decade.In 2023, average daily time spent watching game streams rose to 2.5 hours per user, up 12% year-over-year — a clear sign of streaming becoming part of gamers’ daily routines.Sources: Statista Market Insights, 2025; SNS Insider, 2024What People Are WatchingThe most-watched games on Twitch include League of Legends, GTA V, and Counter-Strike — all regularly topping charts for both viewers and streamers.When it comes to creators, the most-streamed games are Fortnite, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Warzone, showing a strong overlap between what streamers love to broadcast and what audiences enjoy watching.In Q1 2024, Twitch users spent over 249 million hours watching new game releases, while total gaming-related content reached around 3.3 billion hours.Sources: SullyGnome, 2025; Statista, 2025Global Trends & Regional PlatformsChina’s local platforms like Huya (31M MAU) and Douyu (26.6M MAU) remain key players in the domestic market.In South Korea, following Twitch’s 2023 exit, local services like AfreecaTV and newcomer Chzzk have positioned themselves as alternatives.Meanwhile, Japan and Europe continue to see steady engagement driven by strong gaming scenes and dedicated fan communities.Source: Statista, 2025Event Livestreaming Hits New HighsNintendo Direct was the most-watched gaming showcase in 2024, with an average minute audience of 2.6 million.The 2024 Streamer Awards drew over 645,000 peak viewers, highlighting how creator-focused events now rival traditional game showcases.Source: Statista, 2025As game streaming continues to evolve, its role in the broader gaming ecosystem is becoming clearer. It hasn’t replaced traditional gameplay – instead, it’s added a new dimension to how people engage with games, offering a space for connection, discovery, and commentary. For players, creators, and industry leaders alike, streaming now sits alongside playing as a core part of the modern gaming experience – one that continues to grow and shift with the industry itself.

Creative director Anil Glendinning discusses his upcoming spooky adventure game for Xbox and PC at Gamescom 2025

Season 10 of Fortnite Festival is starting on August 26, and that means a new headlining artist--Gorillaz--a new music pass with paid and free items, and the first major update for the Festival mode in a couple months. Say goodbye to outgoing headliner Bruno Mars, and say hello to 2D, Noodle, Russel, and Murdoc. This is the first time aside from Metallica last summer that the Festival headliner has been a group rather than an individual, and Epic is handling the Gorillaz a little bit differently than they did those elder statesmen of metal.Gorillaz in the Fortnite item shopThis bundle of Gorillaz cosmetics will be in the Fortnite shop all season long.When Metallica was the headlining artist, there were skins for each member in both the shop and in the music pass. With Gorillaz, the four fictional, cartoon members of the group are split between the pass and the item shop, and it's 2D and Noodle who will be on shop duty throughout Season 10. Naturally, all the Gorillaz skins are cel shaded.Those two brought some stuff with them, of course, as they each have a back bling and musical instrument: a mic stand for 2D and a guitar for Noodle. The selection of shop stuff is rounded out by a camo wrap, a contrail, a jam track for the song Clint Eastwood, and both an emote and a jam track for the song Dare. Everything listed in this paragraph, except for the Clint Eastwood jam track, is included in one big ole bundle, but you'll also be able to buy everything individually if you only want one or two things.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Online and in person, Edris E aims to preserve the cultural history of music and cars.

Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of connecting with talented game developers from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through the PlayStation MENA Hero Project. This initiative was launched with a simple goal: to identify and support original voices and empower creators from emerging regions to tell their stories through games. Today, we’re thrilled to announce the first cohort of titles supported under the MENA Hero Project, each one a unique reflection of the creativity, and spirit of developers in the region. The First Cohort of MENA Hero Project Games Red Bandits | Developer: Team Agenda | Country: Saudi Arabia Red Bandits is a fast-paced robbery action game set in a hyper-capitalist age where one company rules the world through complete monopoly. In this world, a newly formed thieves organization known as the Red Bandits, emerges to challenge the system and spark a rebellion. You play as Stutt, a seasoned old thief with a stuttering condition and a mysterious past he can’t fully remember. Break into the company’s fortified floors, take down the powerful board of directors, and bring back a de-monopolized world order. With a dynamic cover system, evolving heists, and a vibrant comrades’ hideout, Red Bandits blends fast, stylish action with a deeply personal story of rebellion. Robbing its way to PS5 and PC. Enci’s Solution | Developer: Dark Emerald | Country: United Arab Emirates Exiled by humans centuries ago, the Aeons are confined to the desolate underground. Their village is safe, but beyond the gates, danger lurks at every corner, and not everyone can be trusted. No one has left the village before, except for Ji’we. Inspired by techno-dystopian aesthetics, Enci’s Solution is a hand-painted, 2.5D narrative platformer following the story of Ji’we, a young Aeon venturing out into the unknown in an attempt to save his dearest friend. Stumbling upon Enci, a lost encyclopedic robot who finds himself far from home, the two form an unusual bond and set out together to the surface of planet Regalia.  Play through 40+ levels with increasing difficulty and explore uncharted territories. Find collectibles and uncover the secrets they carry about the world and its odd inhabitants. Keep an eye out for hidden levels and challenge yourself to think outside the box. Will you find your solution on PS5 and PC? Play Video The Perfect Run | Developer: Lanterns Studios | Country: Tunisia Save the world or blow it up yourself, one loop at a time! The Perfect Run is an action-adventure RPG game where the player controls Quicksave, a time-traveling hero caught in an epic struggle between supervillain gangs, marketed superheroes, and a powerful mega corporation for the control of the city of New Rome. With three days to decide the city’s fate, the player can go back in time to decide their perfect ending… if they have the skill to do so! Interact with NPCs and unlock new dialogue options thanks to information collected in earlier loops, join a faction in one route and fight them the next, bend time itself in epic battle against superpowered bosses, collect the best upgrades before the reset, and unlock the city’s secrets in this memorable superhero adventure. Find the perfect run on PS5 and PC. A Cat’s Manor | Developer: Happiest Dark Corner | Country: Bahrain You awaken trapped in a house infested with spiders and inhabited by an eccentric family. At the end of your tail, you discover a crudely stitched hand. With no memory of who you are or how you got here, you let curiosity guide you forward. A Cat’s Manor is an atmospheric adventure that blends puzzles, combat, crafting, and rhythm-based music challenges. Use your wits to escape the manor. Investigate your surroundings, solve puzzles, fight your way through deadly encounters, or outsmart your foes and avoid trouble. Inspect, observe, listen, and feel your surroundings for clues and cues, immersing yourself with 3D audio and PS5 DualSense controller features. Uncover the secrets of the manor and unravel what the family is hiding. Creeping its way to PS5 and PC near you.  About the MENA Hero Project The MENA Hero Project is the newest chapter in SIE’s global Hero Project family, joining India and China in our mission to discover and nurture the next generation of original game creators. We believe that great games can come from anywhere. Through the MENA Hero Project, we’re committed to unlocking the region’s creative potential, supporting locally inspired experiences with the power to captivate players around the world.

System Era Softworks design director Liz England never set out to become an industry-wide name—but she did in 2014 when she published a blog called “The Door Problem.” She penned it to help people outside the game industry understand exactly what a game designer does…and it turns out, to motivate herself to get her personal website online.Years later "The Door Problem" is now required reading for young designers everywhere, largely for reasons beyond what England dreamed of when she jotted down that post. In the 11 years since she wrote that post, Liz has evolved from being a game designer to design director, and her perspective on “The Door Problem” has shifted. Today she’s not thinking as much about doors—more about how to help other designers pitch and build doors that fit the scope and vision for their game.What does good leadership look like in game design?England said she didn’t think there was any more to be added to “The Door Problem” even after 11 years. She’s been thinking more about how game design leadership can help developers solve their own “door problems” to make games in a more effective manner. That's not only meant improving her language for designing game design challenges—but looking back at leaders she looked up to earlier in her career.Related:About The Game Developer PodcastThe Game Developer podcast is a bi-weekly podcast chronicling the triumphs, catastrophes, and everything in-between of game development, sharing lessons and strategies fellow developers can use to hone their craft. The Game Developer Podcast is hosted by Bryant Francis, edited by Pierre Landriau, and features music by Mike Meehan.Follow Game Developer on Bluesky or on LinkedIn.Follow Liz England on Bluesky.

YouTube Music is rolling out taste match playlists, comments, badges and more.