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.

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I’m Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz, Creative Director at Rebel Wolves, working on The Blood of Dawnwalker — a story-driven, open-world RPG set in 14th-century Europe. We recently showcased a closer look at the gameplay at gamescom and wanted to share some of the exciting new details with you. Entering the narrative sandbox You play as Coen, the game’s protagonist and the titular Dawnwalker. While the exact circumstances remain a mystery, an attempt to turn Coen into a vampire fails. As a result, he exists between two worlds — human during the day, vampire at night. This duality sits at the heart of the gameplay, with each form offering distinct skills and abilities. Most quests can be approached during either day or night, creating significantly different experiences. One of the key mechanics is what we call the “narrative sandbox.” Once the prologue concludes, you have 30 days and nights to rescue Coen’s family from Brencis, a centuries-old vampire and former Roman senator, and his inner circle. Only major actions move the clock forward, and you’re always informed how much time an activity will consume. Roaming the open world does not advance time, giving you the freedom to explore without pressure. Time works more like a currency than a countdown. What truly defines the narrative sandbox is the freedom it gives you to shape the story on your own terms. Quests can be completed in any order, skipped entirely, or even never discovered at all depending on your choices. Many characters can be killed, with their absence reshaping events and relationships. There are often multiple paths to achieve the same goal, and even inaction is a choice — one the world around Coen will recognize and respond to. The result is a deeply reactive narrative structure that encourages experimentation and makes every playthrough unique. Human by day. Vampire by night. The newly revealed quest takes place on day eight of Coen’s journey. By then, several quests have been completed and Coen is visibly more powerful. We first see him at night, navigating the capital city of Svartrau and using vampiric abilities like Shadowstep — a short-range teleport that lets him instantly reposition. It’s invaluable not only in combat, allowing him to flank enemies or close the gap on patrolling guards, but also for exploration and stealth. With Shadowstep, Coen can reach scaffolding high on the cathedral’s walls, leap between rooftops, or slip into otherwise inaccessible balconies and ledges, opening up new routes and opportunities to approach objectives. Combat remains fluid and dynamic, blending physical strength with supernatural powers. His vampire form isn’t overpowered, but it adds a distinct tactical layer. The quest involves infiltrating the city’s cathedral, where Coen encounters Xanthe — an ancient Greek vampire and Brencis’ most powerful ally. To show how time of day affects gameplay, we then reload a save to experience a daytime version of the quest. This time, the goal is to locate the legendary sword of Saint Mihai, the cathedral’s patron. In his human form, Coen leans more on swordplay and dark human magic, unavailable as a vampire. Combat is fast and responsive, with directional attacks and flexible blocking. You can block easily with a single button or use directional input for more precision and control, accommodating both story-focused players and those seeking a challenge. Fighting the living, the dead, and everything In between Once the enemies are defeated, Coen enters Svartrau during the day. The streets are bustling with life — townsfolk fill the squares, merchants trade goods, and ambient conversations hint at the uneasy coexistence under vampire rule. After roaming the vibrant streets, Coen goes to the cathedral. Inside, we witness a chilling ritual called the Blood Baptism, one of Brencis’ ways of twisting existing traditions to maintain control. After a tense dialogue sequence that nearly exposes Coen, the sword quest resumes. This leads to a battle with Muron, a creature born from a failed vampire transformation. Unlike Coen, Muron does not become a Dawnwalker but a wild, unstable monster with unpredictable powers. Another hex in Coen’s arsenal – Compel Soul – allows Coen to speak with the dead, helping him uncover clues and eventually locate a hidden crypt believed to hold the sword. What he finds is far more disturbing: Saint Mihai, once revered, had been entombed alive after villagers discovered he was also a Dawnwalker. Starved during the day and regenerating at night, Mihai slowly lost his sanity. When freed, he attacks Coen using the full range of Dawnwalker abilities. If you find him at night instead, Mihai appears in his vampire form, offering an entirely different encounter. The nearly 50-minute demo offers an extended look at The Blood of Dawnwalker’s design — from its dual gameplay loop and time-based structure to its focus on player agency and narrative depth. There is no single path through this story, and every decision, including inaction, shapes the journey. Slated for release in 2026, The Blood of Dawnwalker aims to deliver rich storytelling, immersive combat, and an open world where narrative truly takes the lead. The Blood of Dawnwalker is coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026; wishlist it now to stay updated and be among the first to step into Coen’s journey!

When thousands of works were deindexed from Itch just a few weeks ago, livelihoods hung in the balance.Itch hosted the works of developers, artists, writers, and zinesters. It was (and is) home to taboo pornography, garden-variety smut, video game memoirs, and game jam detritus. Over the last five years, it has perhaps become best known for hosting massive charity bundles, supporting causes like Black Lives Matter, Ukraine war relief, and Palestinian liberation. Those bundles were lined with small projects from hobbyist creators alongside big hits from professional developers. When payment processors forced Itch to de-index thousands of games following a pressure campaign from a right-wing anti-porn group, they threatened all of these avenues of artistic expression and financial income.Nathalie Lawhead, a developer and artist who has hosted their work on Itch for years, is one of the creators who could be affected by the large-scale push for increased censorship. Their game, Everything is Going to Be Okay, is part of the permanent collection in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. But despite its acceptance into a major hub of mainstream arts culture, their work has struggled to find a home in the world of video games.Continue Reading at GameSpot

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For Warzone, Call of Duty Season 5 added new weapons, attachment changes, and weapon tuning. This season makes a few new changes to the weapon meta, so we have some updated loadout recommendations to consider for your next match of Warzone.Additionally, Season 5 launched with a brand-new battle pass, which added plenty of cosmetics and two new weapons to unlock. Black Ops 6 multiplayer has new maps and modes, and the update added Reckoning as the final Zombies map. Make sure to check out the full highlights for Call of Duty Season 5, and we also break down the major changes from the Season 5 patch notes for both multiplayer and Warzone.All our recommended Warzone loadouts can be viewed below, and we also have suggested Season 5 multiplayer loadouts. Cypher 091The Cypher is one of the most popular and powerful choices to use for long-range fights in Warzone. This can be a very reliable assault rifle to use at most ranges and across maps and modes for battle royale.Recommended Cypher 091 attachments:Optic: Willis 3xMuzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag II GPR 91The GPR 91 assault rifle is a solid choice for a sniper support weapon in Season 5 of Warzone. The recommended attachments will help manage recoil, boost the ammo count, as well as increase the damage range and bullet velocity.If you didn't unlock the G-Grip attachment in last season's battle pass, you'll want to head to the Armory and select it as your current Armory challenge. This is usually just an XP-based challenge to complete. The G-Grip will provide a better boost to the gun's horizontal recoil and provide better stabilization when firing.Recommended GPR 91 attachments:Optic: Kepler MicroflexMuzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Reinforced BarrelUnderbarrel: G-GripMagazine: Extended Mag I AMES 85Season 5's buff to the Ames 85 makes this assault rifle once again a strong contender for long-range options in Warzone. This is a fairly easy-to-use gun, but the recommended attachments will help decrease some of the weapon's recoil.Recommended AMES 85 attachments:Optic: Willis 3xMuzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag II ABR A1Season 5 brings back Call of Duty's classic AUG rifle, which is renamed as the ABR A1 assault rifle in Black Ops 6. This is a three-round burst rifle, and it has a built-in scope, so you don't have to waste an attachment on an optic. This is a solid pick for long-to-medium range combat.If you don't like the built-in scope on the ABR A1, you can swap the recommended Recoil Springs attachment for a different optic like the Willis 3x.Recommended ABR A1 attachments:Muzzle: Monolithic SuppressorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag IFire Mod: Recoil Springs C9The C9 is one of the strongest choices for close-range weapons in Warzone. The recommended attachments will help increase the damage range and decrease the gun's recoil.Recommended C9 attachments:Barrel: Long BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag IIRear Grip: Ergonomic GripStock: Balanced Stock LadraAnother great choice for close-range fights in Season 5 is the Ladra submachine gun. The recommended attachments will boost the gun's damage range and help reduce the recoil.Recommended Ladra attachments:Muzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Long BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag IStock: Balanced Stock HDRDespite the developer's best efforts to nerf the HDR and buff other sniper rifles in the game, the HDR is still the most powerful and most popular pick for Warzone. The recommended attachments for Season 5 are mostly the same, but you might want to consider using the Lightweight Bipod underbarrel if you aren't already to help with the idle aiming sway.Recommended HDR attachments:Muzzle: Monolithic SuppressorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Lightweight BipodRear Grip: Quickdraw GripFire Mod: 108MM Overpressured Victus XMRA notable mention for sniping variety: Season 4 Reloaded did buff MW2's Victus XMR to also allow for one-shot kills at all ranges, and that hasn't changed in Season 5. This can give you some variety when sniping, and the Victus XMR is a more lightweight and mobile sniper choice. The recommended attachments will help you make the most of this gun's power and increase mobility.Recommended Victus XMR attachments:Optic: SP-X 80 6.6xMuzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire SuppressorBarrel: Mack 8 33.5 SuperStock: XRK Rise 50Ammunition: .50 Cal High Grain Rounds

Blackbird Interactive, developer of Homeworld 3 and Minecraft Legends, has reacquired full intellectual property rights of Hardspace: Shipbreaker.Announced today, the developer now has full ownership of the IP. Originally, the game was brought to market in partnership with Focus Entertainment, which not only assisted as publisher but also acquired partial ownership of the IP.According to the announcement, Blackbird isn't ready to share specifics aside from there being "multiple Hardspace projects" currently in development, paving the path forward to flesh out the IP into a franchise. According to a financial report issued in June 2022 by Focus Entertainment, Hardspace: Shipbreaker had sold over 500,000 copies in its two years in early access.It's been a year since Blackbird Interactive talked about a "realignment plan"Hardspace: Shipbreaker has been a standout release for Blackbird. In recent times, however, the team has undergone layoffs and leadership changes internally.As reported by Business in Vancouver, where the studio is based, founder Rob Cunningham transitioned from the CEO role to board chairman back in March of this year, with Eric Torin taking over the helm after his tenure as chief strategy officer. This is reflected in Blackbird's official site.Related:The news came around a year after Blackbird made layoffs due to "economic pressures" beyond its control, claiming the cuts were part of a wider "realignment plan" that was implemented after some of its partners shelved in-development projects. "We looked at multiple ways of avoiding this and regretfully other options weren't viable," a Blackbird spokesperson said at the time.The layoffs followed another round of job cuts that took place in August 2023, which affected 41 staff members. Months later, Mojang pulled the plug on Minecraft Legends.