IntroductionHi everyone! My name is Oleh Yakushev, and I'm a 3D Artist from Ukraine. My journey into 3D began just three years ago, when I was working as a mobile phone salesperson at a shopping mall. In 2022, during one slow day at work, I noticed a colleague learning Python. We started talking about life goals. I told him I wanted to switch careers, to do something creative, but programming wasn't really my thing.He asked me a simple question: "Well, what do you actually enjoy doing?"I said, "Video games. I love video games. But I don't have time to learn how to make them, I've got a job, a family, and a kid."Then he hit me with something that really shifted my whole perspective."Oleh, do you play games on your PlayStation?"I said, "Of course."He replied, "Then why not take the time you spend playing and use it to learn how to make games?"That moment flipped a switch in my mind. I realized that I did have time, it was just a matter of how I used it. If I really wanted to learn, I could find a way. At the time, I didn't even own a computer. But where there's a will, there's a way: I borrowed my sister's laptop for a month and started following beginner 3D tutorials on YouTube. Every night after work, once my family went to sleep, I'd sit in the kitchen and study. I stayed up until 2 or 3 AM, learning Blender basics. Then I'd sleep for a few hours before waking up at 6 AM to go back to work. That's how I spent my first few months in 3D, studying every single night.3D completely took over my life. During lunch breaks, I watched 3D videos, on the bus, I scrolled through 3D TikToks, at home, I took 3D courses, and the word "3D" just became a constant in my vocabulary.After a few months of learning the basics, I started building my portfolio, which looks pretty funny to me now. But at the time, it was a real sign of how committed I was. Eventually, someone reached out to me through Behance, offering my first freelance opportunity. And thatэs how my journey began, from mall clerk to 3D artist. It's been a tough road, full of burnout, doubts, and late nights... but also full of curiosity, growth, and hope. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.The Stitch ProjectI've loved Stitch since I was a kid. I used to watch the cartoons, play the video games, and he always felt like such a warm, funny, chill, and at the same time, strong character. So once I reached a certain level in 3D, I decided to recreate Stitch.Back then, my skills only allowed me to make him in a stylized cartoonish style, no fur, no complex detailing, no advanced texturing, I just didn't have the experience. Surprisingly, the result turned out pretty decent. Even now, I sometimes get comments that my old Stitch still looks quite cute. Though honestly, I wouldn't say that myself anymore. Two years have passed since I made that first Stitch, it was back in 2023. And in 2025, I decided it was time to challenge myself.At that point, I had just completed an intense grooming course. Grooming always intimidated me, it felt really complex. I avoided it on commercial projects, made a few failed attempts for my portfolio, and overall tried to steer clear of any tasks where grooming was required. But eventually, I found the strength to face it.I pushed myself to learn how to make great fur, and I did. I finally understood how the grooming system works, grasped the logic, the tools, and the workflow. And after finishing the course, I wanted to lock in all that knowledge by creating a full personal project from scratch.So my goal was to make a character from the ground up, where the final stage would be grooming. And without thinking too long, I chose Stitch.First, because I truly love the character. Second, I wanted to clearly see my own progress over the past two years. Third, I needed to put my new skills to the test and find out whether my training had really paid off.ModelingI had a few ideas for how to approach the base mesh for this project. First, to model everything completely from scratch, starting with a sphere. Second, to reuse my old Stitch model and upgrade it.But then an idea struck me: why not test how well AI could handle a base mesh? I gathered some references and tried generating a base mesh using AI, uploading Stitch visuals as a guide. As you can see from the screenshot, the result was far from usable. So I basically ended up doing everything from scratch anyway.So, I went back to basics: digging through ArtStation and Pinterest, collecting references. Since over the last two years, I had not only learned grooming but also completely changed my overall approach to character creation, it was important for me to make a more detailed model, even if much of it would be hidden under fur.The first Stitch was sculpted in Blender, with all the limitations that come with sculpting in it. But since then, I've leveled up significantly and switched to more advanced tools. So this second version of Stitch was born in ZBrush. By the time I started working on this Stitch, ZBrush had already become my second main workspace. I've used it to deliver tons of commercial projects, I work in it almost daily, and most of my portfolio was created using this tool. I found some great reference images showing Stitch's body structure. Among them were official movie references and a stunning high-poly model created by Juan Hernández, a version of Stitch without fur. That model became my primary reference for sculpting.Truth is, Stitch's base form is quite simple, so blocking out the shape didn't take too long. When blocking, I use Blender in combination with ZBrush:I work with primary forms in ZBrushThen check proportions in BlenderFix mistakes, tweak volumes, and refine the silhouetteSince Stitch's shape isn't overly complex, I broke him down into three main sculpting parts:The body: arms, legs, head, and earsThe nose, eyes, and mouth cavityWhile planning the sculpt, I already knew I'd be rigging Stitch, both body and facial rig. So I started sculpting with his mouth open (to later close it and have more flexibility when it comes to rigging and deformation).While studying various references, I noticed something interesting. Stitch from promotional posters, Stitch from the movie, and Stitch as recreated by different artists on ArtStation all look very different from one another. What surprised me the most was how different the promo version of Stitch is compared to the one in the actual movie. They are essentially two separate models:Different proportionsDifferent shapesDifferent texturesEven different fur and overall designThis presented a creative challenge, I had to develop my own take on Stitch's design. Sometimes I liked the way the teeth were done in one version, in another, the eye placement, in another, the fur shape, or the claw design on hands and feet.At first, considering that Stitch is completely covered in fur from head to toe, sculpting his underlying anatomy seemed pointless. I kept asking myself: "Why sculpt muscles and skin detail if everything will be hidden under fur anyway?"But eventually, I found a few solid answers for myself. First, having a defined muscle structure actually makes the fur grooming process easier. That's because fur often follows the flow of muscle lines, so having those muscles helps guide fur direction more accurately across the character's body.Second, it's great anatomy practice, and practice is never a waste. So, I found a solid anatomical reference of Stitch with clearly visible muscle groups and tried to recreate that structure as closely as possible in my own sculpt.In the end, I had to develop a full visual concept by combining elements from multiple versions of Stitch. Through careful reference work and constantly switching between Blender and ZBrush, I gradually, but intentionally, built up the body and overall look of our favorite fluffy alien.Topology & UVsThroughout the sculpting process, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about topology. I was looking for the most balanced solution between quality and production time. Normally, I do manual retopology for my characters, but this time, I knew it would take too much time, and honestly, I didn't have that luxury.So I decided to generate the topology using ZBrush's tools. I split the model into separate parts using Polygroups, assigning individual groups for the ears, the head, the torso, the arms, the legs, and each of Stitch's fingers.With the Polygroups in place, I used ZRemesher with Keep Groups enabled and smoothing on group borders. This gave me a clean and optimized mesh that was perfect for UV unwrapping.Of course, this kind of auto-retopology isn't a full substitute for manual work, but it saved me a huge amount of time, and the quality was still high enough for what I needed. However, there was one tricky issue. Although Stitch looks symmetrical at first glance, his ears are actually asymmetrical. The right ear has a scar on the top, while the left has a scar on the bottomBecause of that, I couldn't just mirror one side in ZBrush without losing those unique features. Here's what I ended up doing: I created a symmetrical model with the right ear, then another symmetrical model with the left ear. I brought both into Blender, detached the left ear from one model, and attached it to the body of the other one. This way, I got a clean, symmetrical base mesh with asymmetrical ears, preserving both topology and detail. And thanks to the clean polygroup-based layout, I was able to unwrap the UVs with nice, even seams and clean islands.When it came to UV mapping, I divided Stitch into two UDIM tiles:The first UDIM includes the head with ears, torso, arms, and legs.The second UDIM contains all the additional parts: teeth, tongue, gums, claws, and nose (For the claws, I used overlapping UVs to preserve texel density for the other parts)Since the nose is one of the most important details, I allocated the largest space to it, which helped me to better capture its intricate details.As for the eyes, I used procedural eyes, so there was no need to assign UV space or create a separate UDIM for texturing them. To achieve this, I used the Tiny Eye add-on by tinynocky for Blender, which allows full control over procedural eyes and their parameters.This approach gave me high-quality eyes with customizable elements tailored exactly to my needs. As a result of all these steps, Stitch ended up with a symmetrical, optimized mesh, asymmetrical ears, and the body split across two UDIMs, one for the main body and one for the additional parts.TexturingWhen planning Stitch's texturing, I understood that the main body texture would be fairly simple, with much of the visual detail enhanced by the fur. However, there were some areas that required much more attention than the rest of the body. The textures for Stitch can be roughly divided into several main parts:The base body, which includes the primary color of his fur, along with additional shading like a lighter tone on the front (belly) and a darker tone on the back and napeThe nose and ears, these zones, demanded separate focusAt the initial texturing/blocking stage, the ears looked too cartoony, which didn’t fit the style I wanted. So, I decided to push them towards a more realistic look. This involved removing bright colors, adding more variation in the roughness map, introducing variation in the base color, and making the ears visually more natural, layered, and textured on the surface. By combining smart materials and masks, I achieved the effect of "living" ears, slightly dirty and looking as natural as possible.The nose was a separate story. It occupies a significant part of the face and thus draws a lot of attention. While studying references, I noticed that the shape and texture of the nose vary a lot between different artists. Initially, I made it dog-like, with some wear and tear around the nostrils and base.For a long time, I thought this version was acceptable. But during test renders, I realized the nose needed improvement. So I reworked its texturing, aiming to make it more detailed. I divided the nose texture into four main layers:Base detail: Baked from the high-poly model. Over this, I applied a smart skin material that added characteristic bumps.Lighter layer: Applied via a mask using the AO channel. This darkened the crevices and brightened the bumps, creating a multi-layered effect.Organic detail (capillaries): In animal references, I noticed slight redness in the nose area. I created another AO-masked layer with reddish capillaries visible through the bumps, adding depth and realism.Softness: To make the nose visually softer, like in references, I added a fill layer with only height enabled, used a paper texture as grayscale, and applied a blurred mask. This created subtle dents and wrinkles that softened the look.All textures were created in 4K resolution to achieve maximum detail. After finishing the main texturing stage, I add an Ambient Occlusion map on the final texture layer, activating only the Color channel, setting the blend mode to Multiply, and reducing opacity to about 35%. This adds volume and greatly improves the overall perception of the model.That covers the texturing of Stitch’s body. I also created a separate texture for the fur. This was simpler, I disabled unnecessary layers like ears and eyelids, and left only the base ones corresponding to the body’s color tones.During grooming (which I'll cover in detail later), I also created textures for the fur's clamps and roughness. In Substance 3D Painter, I additionally painted masks for better fur detail.FurAnd finally, I moved on to the part that was most important to me, the very reason I started this project in the first place. Fur. This entire process was essentially a test of my fur grooming skills. After overcoming self-doubt, I trusted the process and relied on everything I had learned so far. Before diving into the grooming itself, I made sure to gather strong references. I searched for the highest quality and most inspiring examples I could find and analyzed them thoroughly. My goal was to clearly understand the direction of fur growth, its density and volume, the intensity of roughness, and the strength of clumping in different areas of Stitch's body.To create the fur, I used Blender and its Hair Particle System. The overall approach is similar to sculpting a high-detail model: work from broad strokes to finer details. So, the first step was blocking out the main flow and placement of the hair strands.At this point, I ran into a challenge: symmetry. Since the model was purposefully asymmetrical (because of the ears and skin folds), the fur couldn't be mirrored cleanly. To solve this, I created a base fur blocking using Hair Guides with just two segments. After that, I split the fur into separate parts. I duplicated the main Particle System and created individual hair systems for each area where needed.In total, I broke Stitch's body into key sections: head, left ear, right ear, front torso, back torso, arms, hands, upper and lower legs, toes, and additional detailing layers. The final fur setup included 25 separate particle systems.To control fur growth, I used Weight Paint to fine-tune the influence on each body part individually. This separation gave me much more precision and allowed full control over every parameter of the fur on a per-section basis.The most challenging aspect of working with fur is staying patient and focused. Detail is absolutely critical because the overall picture is built entirely from tiny, subtle elements. Once the base layer was complete, I moved on to refining the fur based on my references.The most complex areas turned out to be the front of the torso and the face. When working on the torso, my goal was to create a smooth gradient, from thick, clumped fur on the chest to shorter, softer fur on the stomach.Step by step, I adjusted the transitions, directions, clumps, and volumes to achieve that look. Additionally, I used the fur itself to subtly enhance Stitch's silhouette, making his overall shape feel sharper, more expressive, and visually engaging.During fur development, I used texture maps to control the intensity of the Roughness and Clump parameters. This gave me a high degree of flexibility, textures drove these attributes across the entire model. In areas where stronger clumping or roughness was needed, I used brighter values; in zones requiring a softer look, darker values. This approach allowed for fine-tuned micro-level control of the fur shader and helped achieve a highly realistic appearance in renders.The face required special attention: the fur had to be neat, evenly distributed, and still visually appealing. The biggest challenge here was working around the eye area. Even with properly adjusted Weight Paint, interpolation sometimes caused strands to creep into the eyes.I spent a lot of time cleaning up this region to get an optimal result. I also had to revisit certain patches that looked bald, even though interpolation and weight painting were set correctly, because the fur didn't render properly there. These areas needed manual fixing.As part of the detailing stage, I also increased the number of segments in the Hair Guides.While the blocking phase only used two segments, I went up to three, and in some cases even five, for more complex regions. This gave me much more control over fur shape and flow.The tiniest details really matter, so I added extra fur layers with thinner, more chaotic strands extending slightly beyond the main silhouette. These micro-layers significantly improved the texture depth and boosted the overall realism.Aside from the grooming itself, I paid special attention to the fur material setup, as the shader plays a critical role in the final visual quality of the render. It's not enough to simply plug a color texture into a Principled BSDF node and call it done.I built a more complex shader, giving me precise control over various attributes. For example, I implemented subtle color variation across individual strands, along with darkening near the roots and a gradual brightening toward the tips. This helped add visual depth and made the fur look significantly more natural and lifelike.Working on the fur took up nearly half of the total time I spent on the entire model. And I'm genuinely happy with the result, this stage confirmed that the training I've gone through was solid and that I’m heading in the right direction with my artistic development.Rigging, Posing & SceneOnce I finished working on the fur, I rendered several 4K test shots from different angles to make sure every detail looked the way I intended. When I was fully satisfied with the results, it was time to move on to rigging.I divided the rigging process into three main parts:Body rig, for posing and positioning the characterFacial rig, for expressions and emotionsEar rig, for dynamic ear controlRigging isn't something I consider my strongest skill, but as a 3D generalist, I had to dive into many technical aspects of it. For the ears, I set up a relatively simple system with several bones connected using inverse kinematics (IK). This gave me flexible and intuitive control during posing and allowed for the addition of dynamic movement in animation.For facial rigging, I used the FaceIt add-on, which generates a complete facial control system for mouth, eyes, and tongue. It sped up the process significantly and gave me more precision. For the body, I used the ActorCore Rig by NVIDIA, then converted it to Rigify, which gave me a familiar interface and flexible control over poses.Posing is one of my favorite stages, it's when the character really comes to life. As usual, it started with gathering references. Honestly, it was hard to pick the final poses, Stitch is so expressive and full of personality that I wanted to try hundreds of them. But I focused on those that best conveyed the spirit and mood of the character. Some poses I reworked to fit my style rather than copying directly. For example, in the pose where Stitch licks his nose, I added drool and a bit of "green slime" for comedic effect. To capture motion, I tilted his head back and made the ears fly upward, creating a vivid, emotional snapshot.Just like in sculpting or grooming, minor details make a big difference in posing. Examples include: a slight asymmetry in the facial expression, a raised corner of the mouth, one eye squinting a little more than the other, and ears set at slightly different angles.These are subtle things that might not be noticed immediately, but they’re the key to making the character feel alive and believable.For each pose, I created a separate scene and collection in Blender, including the character, specific lighting setup, and a simple background or environment. This made it easy to return to any scene later, to adjust lighting, reposition the character, or tweak the background.In one of the renders, which I used as the cover image, Stitch is holding a little frog.I want to clearly note that the 3D model of the frog is not mine, full credit goes to the original author of the asset.At first, I wanted to build a full environment around Stitch, to create a scene that would feel like a frame from a film. But after carefully evaluating my skills and priorities, I decided that a weak environment would only detract from the strength of the character. So I opted for a simple, neutral backdrop, designed to keep all the focus on Stitch himself.Rendering, Lighting & Post-ProcessingWhen the character is complete, posed expressively, and integrated into the scene, there's one final step: lighting. Lighting isn't just a technical element of the scene — it’s a full-fledged stage of the 3D pipeline. It doesn't just illuminate; it paints. Proper lighting can highlight the personality of the character, emphasize forms, and create atmosphere.For all my renders, I rely on the classic three-point lighting setup: Key Light, Fill Light, and Rim Light.While this setup is well-known, it remains highly effective. When done thoughtfully, with the right intensity, direction, and color temperature, it creates a strong light-shadow composition that brings the model to life. In addition to the three main lights, I also use an HDRI map, but with very low intensity, around 0.3, just enough to subtly enrich the ambient light without overpowering the scene.Once everything is set, it's time to hit Render and wait for the result. Due to hardware limitations, I wasn’t able to produce full animated shots with fur. Rendering a single 4K image with fur took over an hour, so I limited myself to a 360° turnaround and several static renders.I don't spend too much time on post-processing, just basic refinements in Photoshop. Slight enhancement of the composition, gentle shadow adjustments, color balance tweaks, and adding a logo. Everything is done subtly, nothing overprocessed. The goal is simply to support and enhance what’s already there.Final ThoughtsThis project has been an incredible experience. Although it was my second time creating Stitch (the first was back in 2023), this time the process felt completely different at every stage. And honestly, it wasn't easy.But that was exactly the point: to challenge myself. To reimagine something familiar, to try things I'd never done before, and to walk the full journey from start to finish. The fur, the heart of this project, was especially meaningful to me. It’s what started it all. I poured a lot into this model: time, effort, emotion, and even doubts. But at the same time, I brought all my knowledge, skills, and experience into it.This work became a mirror of my progress from 2023 to 2025. I can clearly see how far I've come, and that gives me the motivation to keep going. Every hour of learning and practice paid off, the results speak for themselves. This model was created for my portfolio. I don't plan to use it commercially, unless, of course, a studio actually wants to license it for a new film (in that case, I'd be more than happy!)It's been a long road: challenging, sometimes exhausting, but above all inspiring and exciting. I know there's still a lot to learn. Many things to study, improve, and polish to perfection. But I'm already on that path, and I'm not stopping.Oleh Yakushev, 3D Character ArtistInterview conducted by Gloria Levine

The official start of the season may be two months away, but basketball is back with NBA 2K26 hitting PS5 and PS4 September 5. The latest entry brings a new gameplay system powered by machine learning, studying today’s superstars, and fun pick-up and play options. 2K invited me to go hands-on with the game  before it launches September 5 on PS5, and I’m here to share what I learned on the court. Also launching starting on September 12 (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand) and on September 18 (Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam) is the PlayStation 5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle. Read on for full details Better ball 2K26 puts considerable effort into improving both sides of the floor, with notable offensive and defensive enhancements. New machine-learning technology helps capture the fundamentals of the game. While playing, I noticed players would run and get set by firmly planting their feet, instead of a gliding effect. While driving into the paint, they would also stop and accurately respond to a defender in their lane. These details add a realistic weight to the sport. Enhanced Rhythm Shooting You can still flick down-up on the right analog stick or simply press square to start your shooting motion, then release at the correct timing for the individual player’s shoot release. However, now the tempo of the play, like in real life, affects your shot. When a good defender bogged me down, I could quickly release my shot and intentionally release it early for a decisive bucket. With a high basketball IQ, any shot has the potential to be a good shot.  Defensive battles Players can swing a game in their favor if the shots aren’t falling, thanks to new improvements centered around real-world tactics. Around the player’s feet, you will see new Rebound Timing Feedback as a green meter that will flash to indicate a well-timed rebound. Learning Chet Holmgren’s rebound timing made me nearly unstoppable under the rim and made me focus on an aspect of the game I had neglected before.  Collisions and interior defense both benefit from a revamped system-driven tech that allows for more real-time interactions instead of scripted mocap animations. If you want to stop a fast break or crowd the lane, players will stop, adjust, and even collide realistically. The game rewards paying attention to the action when the ball isn’t in your hand. Arena atmosphere The devs also upgraded the game spectacle during downtime and timeouts with new crowd variety, interactions, and on-court performances. Cheerleader routines and mascot antics are fun, but my favorite by far was the dance cam. These moments captured the feel of attending a game live and the sense of community that attending a sporting event can create. MyTEAM updates  MyTEAM has received a significant remodel with Triple Threat Park turning Sunset Beach into a nighttime venue. Players are greeted with neon lights, fireworks, and other details that can only be appreciated after dark. Pulling cards and collecting players has also become an even bigger spectacle with dramatic reveals and added flair.   The biggest change to MyTEAM is that WNBA players join the action for the first time in series history. Newcomers like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark take to the hardwood along with legends like Lisa Leslie. Attributes and Badges are identical for all players, no matter what league they hail from. Also, there is a WNBA Domination tier where your squad will be exclusively WNBA players as you challenge teams to earn Domination stars and crests.  Another first is 2v2 games in Triple Threat Park. Two half courts have been added in the middle of the street, where you can run your favorite two-person team-ups. The park also features four 3v3 courts, including a new option with a beach backdrop, and three 3v3 courts for 6-player co-op matches. These games capture the essence of streetball, featuring players calling their fouls, checking the ball at midcourt, and engaging in some lively trash talk—a great way to mix and match your favorite ball players and have some quick, high-energy games.  All-Star Team Up is now part of MyTEAM, where 10 players duke it out in 5v5 co-op matches. Take your favorite NBA or WNBA players for some very high-level play where being a good role player is the key to success. Earn individual rewards with the new Season Ladder and earn rewards as a team by winning matches. Find the right chemistry with your teammates, because for every five games you win with the same team lineup, everyone will receive rewards, even if the wins aren’t consecutive.  Discover all the new enhancements coming to the court when NBA 2K 26 launches September 5 on PS5. Vertical Stand sold separately PS5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle (Southeast Asia details) We’re pleased to announce the PlayStation 5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle is launching in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand starting September 12 and is launching in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam starting September 18. Release dates and availability may vary by region, please check your local retailer for availability and release dates. Players can feel the on-the-court immersion made possible by the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Experience NBA 2K26’s authenticity with lifelike animations, heightened player fidelity and authentic atmosphere with 4K resolution*, and enjoy shortened load times and return to the action faster with the PS5 console’s high-speed SSD. In Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, the bundle includes a PlayStation 5 console, DualSense wireless controller, and a digital voucher** for NBA 2K26 Standard Edition. In Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, the bundle includes a PlayStation 5 console, DualSense wireless controller, and a disc version for NBA 2K26 Standard Edition With a robust focus on features and the game aspects that don’t rely on the players, it’s great to play and watch. No matter your height, you should hit the court when NBA 2K26 comes to PS5 and PS4 on September 5. *4K and HDR require a 4K and HDR compatible TV or display. **Account for PlayStation and internet connection required to redeem voucher

The official start of the season may be two months away, but basketball is back with NBA 2K26 hitting PS5 and PS4 September 5. The latest entry brings a new gameplay system powered by machine learning, studying today’s superstars, and fun pick-up and play options. 2K invited me to go hands-on with the game  before it launches September 5 on PS5, and I’m here to share what I learned on the court. Also launching starting on September 5 in select markets is the PlayStation 5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle. Read on for full details Better ball 2K26 puts considerable effort into improving both sides of the floor, with notable offensive and defensive enhancements. New machine-learning technology helps capture the fundamentals of the game. While playing, I noticed players would run and get set by firmly planting their feet, instead of a gliding effect. While driving into the paint, they would also stop and accurately respond to a defender in their lane. These details add a realistic weight to the sport. Enhanced Rhythm Shooting You can still flick down-up on the right analog stick or simply press square to start your shooting motion, then release at the correct timing for the individual player’s shoot release. However, now the tempo of the play, like in real life, affects your shot. When a good defender bogged me down, I could quickly release my shot and intentionally release it early for a decisive bucket. With a high basketball IQ, any shot has the potential to be a good shot.  Defensive battles Players can swing a game in their favor if the shots aren’t falling, thanks to new improvements centered around real-world tactics. Around the player’s feet, you will see new Rebound Timing Feedback as a green meter that will flash to indicate a well-timed rebound. Learning Chet Holmgren’s rebound timing made me nearly unstoppable under the rim and made me focus on an aspect of the game I had neglected before.  Collisions and interior defense both benefit from a revamped system-driven tech that allows for more real-time interactions instead of scripted mocap animations. If you want to stop a fast break or crowd the lane, players will stop, adjust, and even collide realistically. The game rewards paying attention to the action when the ball isn’t in your hand. Arena atmosphere The devs also upgraded the game spectacle during downtime and timeouts with new crowd variety, interactions, and on-court performances. Cheerleader routines and mascot antics are fun, but my favorite by far was the dance cam. These moments captured the feel of attending a game live and the sense of community that attending a sporting event can create. MyTEAM updates  MyTEAM has received a significant remodel with Triple Threat Park turning Sunset Beach into a nighttime venue. Players are greeted with neon lights, fireworks, and other details that can only be appreciated after dark. Pulling cards and collecting players has also become an even bigger spectacle with dramatic reveals and added flair.   The biggest change to MyTEAM is that WNBA players join the action for the first time in series history. Newcomers like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark take to the hardwood along with legends like Lisa Leslie. Attributes and Badges are identical for all players, no matter what league they hail from. Also, there is a WNBA Domination tier where your squad will be exclusively WNBA players as you challenge teams to earn Domination stars and crests.  Another first is 2v2 games in Triple Threat Park. Two half courts have been added in the middle of the street, where you can run your favorite two-person team-ups. The park also features four 3v3 courts, including a new option with a beach backdrop, and three 3v3 courts for 6-player co-op matches. These games capture the essence of streetball, featuring players calling their fouls, checking the ball at midcourt, and engaging in some lively trash talk—a great way to mix and match your favorite ball players and have some quick, high-energy games.  All-Star Team Up is now part of MyTEAM, where 10 players duke it out in 5v5 co-op matches. Take your favorite NBA or WNBA players for some very high-level play where being a good role player is the key to success. Earn individual rewards with the new Season Ladder and earn rewards as a team by winning matches. Find the right chemistry with your teammates, because for every five games you win with the same team lineup, everyone will receive rewards, even if the wins aren’t consecutive.  Discover all the new enhancements coming to the court when NBA 2K 26 launches September 5 on PS5. Vertical Stand sold separately PS5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle We’re pleased to announce the PlayStation 5 Console – NBA 2K26 Bundle is launching in select markets starting September 5. Release dates and availability may vary by region, please check direct.playstation.com where available or your local retailer for availability and release dates. Players can feel the on-the-court immersion made possible by the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Experience NBA 2K26’s authenticity with lifelike animations, heightened player fidelity and authentic atmosphere with 4K resolution*, and enjoy shortened load times and return to the action faster with the PS5 console’s high-speed SSD. Bundle includes a PlayStation 5 console, DualSense wireless controller, and a digital voucher** for NBA 2K26 Standard Edition. With a robust focus on features and the game aspects that don’t rely on the players, it’s great to play and watch. No matter your height, you should hit the court when NBA 2K26 comes to PS5 and PS4 on September 5. *4K and HDR require a 4K and HDR compatible TV or display. **Account for PlayStation and internet connection required to redeem voucher

IntroductionHello, I am Joseph Jegede, born in Nigeria, lived and studied in London, which is also where I started my career as a games developer. Before my game dev career, I was making websites and graphic designs as a hobby but felt an urge to make static images animated and respond to user input. I studied Computer Science at London Metropolitan University for my bachelor’s degree.I worked at Tivola Publishing GmbH, where we developed:Wildshade: Unicorn Champions (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)Console Trailer: YouTubeWildshade Fantasy Horse Races (iOS, Android)iOS: App StoreAndroid: Google PlayThis project was initially developed for mobile platforms and was later ported to consoles, which recently launched.I also worked on a personal mobile game project:Shooty GunRelease Date: May 17, 2024PlayBecoming an Environment ArtistWith the release of Unreal Engine 5, the ease of creating and sculpting terrain, then using blueprints to quickly add responsive grass, dirt, and rock materials to my levels, made environment art very enticing and accessible for me. Being a programmer, I often felt the urge to explore more aspects of game development, since the barrier of entry has been completely shattered.I wouldn’t consider myself a full-blown artist just yet. I first learned Blender to build some basic 3D models. We can call it “programmer art” – just enough to get a prototype playable.The main challenges were that most 3D software required subscriptions, which wasn't ideal for someone just learning without commercial intent. Free trials helped at first, but I eventually ran out of emails to renew them. Blender was difficult to grasp initially, but I got through it with the help of countless YouTube tutorials.Whenever I wanted to build a model for a prototype, I would find a tutorial making something similar and follow along.On YouTube, I watched and subscribed to Stylized Station. I also browsed ArtStation regularly for references and inspiration for the types of levels I wanted to build.Environment art was a natural next step in my game dev journey. While I could program gameplay and other systems, I lacked the ability to build engaging levels to make my games feel polished. In the kinds of games I want to create, players will spend most of their time exploring environments. They need to look good and contain landmarks that resonate with the player.My main sources of inspiration are games I’ve played. Sometimes I want to recreate the worlds I've explored. I often return to ArtStation for inspiration and references.Deep Dive Into Art-To-Experience Contest's SubmissionThe project I submitted was originally made for the 80 Level x Emperia contest. Most of the assets were provided as part of the contest.The main character was created in Blender, and the enemy model was a variant of the main character with some minor changes and costume modifications. Animations were sourced from Mixamo and imported into Unreal Engine 5. Texturing and painting were done in Adobe Substance 3D Painter, and materials were created in UE5 from exported textures.Before creating the scene in UE5, I gathered references from ArtStation and Google Images. These were used to sculpt a terrain heightmap. Once the level’s starting point and boss area were defined, I added bamboo trees and planned walkable paths around the map.I created models in Blender and exported them to Substance 3D Painter. Using the Auto UV Unwrap tool, I prepared the models for texturing. Once painted, I exported the textures and applied them to the models in UE5. This workflow was smooth and efficient.In UE5, I converted any assets for level placement into foliage types. This allowed for both random distribution and precise placement using the foliage painter tool, which sped up design significantly.UE5 lighting looked great out-of-the-box. I adjusted the directional light, fog, and shadows to craft a forest atmosphere using the built-in day/night system.I was able to use Emperia's Creator Tools plug-in to set up my scene. The great thing about the tutorial is that it's interactive - as I complete the steps in the UE5 editor, the tutorial window updates and reassures me that I’ve completed the task correctly. This made the setup process easier and faster. Setting up panoramas was also simple - pretty much drag and drop.Advice For BeginnersOne major issue is the rise of AI tools that generate environment art. These tools may discourage beginners who fear they can’t compete. If people stop learning because they think AI will always outperform them, the industry may suffer a creativity drought.My advice to beginners:Choose a game engine you’re comfortable with – Unreal Engine, Unity, etc.Make your idea exist first, polish later. Use free assets from online stores to prototype.Focus on creating game levels with available resources. The important part is getting your world out of your head and into a playable form.Share your work with a community when you're happy with it.Have fun creating your environment – if you enjoy it, others likely will too.Joseph Jegede, Game DeveloperInterview conducted by Theodore McKenzie

At Gamescom, NVIDIA is releasing its first major update to Project G‑Assist — an experimental on-device AI assistant that allows users to tune their NVIDIA RTX systems with voice and text commands. The update brings a new AI model that uses 40% less VRAM, improves tool-calling intelligence and extends G-Assist support to all RTX GPUs with 6GB or more VRAM, including laptops. Plus, a new G-Assist Plug-In Hub enables users to easily discover and download plug-ins to enable more G-Assist features. NVIDIA also announced a new path-traced particle system, coming in September to the NVIDIA RTX Remix modding platform, that brings fully simulated physics, dynamic shadows and realistic reflections to visual effects. In addition, NVIDIA named the winners of the NVIDIA and ModDB RTX Remix Mod Contest. Check out the winners and finalist RTX mods in the RTX Remix GeForce article. G-Assist Gets Smarter, Expands to More RTX PCs The modern PC is a powerhouse, but unlocking its full potential means navigating a complex maze of settings across system software, GPU and peripheral utilities, control panels and more. Project G-Assist is a free, on-device AI assistant built to cut through that complexity. It acts as a central command center, providing easy access to functions previously buried in menus through voice or text commands. Users can ask the assistant to: Run diagnostics to optimize game performance Display or chart frame rates, latency and GPU temperatures Adjust GPU or even peripheral settings, such as keyboard lighting The G-Assist update also introduces a new, significantly more efficient AI model that’s faster and uses 40% less memory while maintaining response accuracy. The more efficient model means that G-Assist can now run on all RTX GPUs with 6GB or more VRAM, including laptops. Getting started is simple: install the NVIDIA app and the latest Game Ready Driver on Aug. 19, download the G-Assist update from the app’s home screen and press Alt+G to activate. Another G-Assist update coming in September will introduce support for laptop-specific commands for features like NVIDIA BatteryBoost and Battery OPS. Introducing the G-Assist Plug-In Hub With Mod.io NVIDIA is collaborating with mod.io to launch the G-Assist Plug-In Hub, which allows users to easily access G-Assist plug-ins, as well as discover and download community-created ones. With the mod.io plug-in, users can ask G-Assist to discover and install new plug-ins. With the latest update, users can also directly ask G-Assist what new plug-ins are available in the hub and install them using natural language, thanks to a mod.io plug-in. The recent G-Assist Plug-In Hackathon showcased the incredible creativity of the G-Assist community. Here’s a sneak peek of what they came up with: Some finalists include: Omniplay — allows gamers to use G-Assist to research lore from online wikis or take notes in real time while gaming Launchpad — lets gamers set, launch and toggle custom app groups on the fly to boost productivity Flux NIM Microservice for G-Assist — allows gamers to easily generate AI images from within G-Assist, using on-device NVIDIA NIM microservices The winners of the hackathon will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Building custom plug-ins is simple. They’re based on a foundation of JSON and Python scripts — and the Project G-Assist Plug-In Builder helps further simplify development by enabling users to code plug-ins with natural language. Mod It Like It’s Hot With RTX Remix  Classic PC games remain beloved for their unforgettable stories, characters and gameplay — but their dated graphics can be a barrier for new and longtime players. NVIDIA RTX Remix enables modders to revitalize these timeless titles with the latest NVIDIA gaming technologies — bridging nostalgic gameplay with modern visuals. Since the platform’s release, the RTX Remix modding community has grown with over 350 active projects and over 100 mods released. The mods span a catalog of beloved games like Half-Life 2, Need for Speed: Underground, Portal 2 and Deus Ex — and have amassed over 2 million downloads. In May, NVIDIA invited modders to participate in the NVIDIA and ModDB RTX Remix Mod Contest for a chance to win $50,000 in cash prizes. At Gamescom, NVIDIA announced the winners: Best Overall RTX Mod Winner: Painkiller RTX Remix, by Binq_Adams Best Use of RTX in a Mod Winner: Painkiller RTX Remix, by Binq_Adams Runner-Up: Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines – RTX Remaster, by Safemilk Most Complete RTX Mod Winner: Painkiller RTX Remix, by Binq_Adams Runner-Up: I-Ninja Remixed, by g.i.george333 Community Choice RTX Mod Winner: Call of Duty 2 RTX Remix of Carentan, by tadpole3159 These modders tapped RTX Remix and generative AI to bring their creations to life — from enhancing textures to quickly creating images and 3D assets. For example, the Merry Pencil Studios modder team used a workflow that seamlessly connected RTX Remix and ComfyUI, allowing them to simply select textures in the RTX Remix viewport and, with a single click in ComfyUI, restore them. The results are stunning, with each texture meticulously recreated with physically based materials layered with grime and rust. With a fully path-traced lighting system, the game’s gothic horror atmosphere has never felt more immersive to play through. All mods submitted to the RTX Remix Modding Contest, as well as 100 more Remix mods, are available to download from ModDB. For a sneak peek at RTX Remix projects under active development, check out the RTX Remix Showcase Discord server. Another RTX Remix update coming in September will allow modders to create new particles that match the look of those found in modern titles. This opens the door for over 165 RTX Remix-compatible games to have particles for the first time. To get started creating RTX mods, download NVIDIA RTX Remix from the home screen of the NVIDIA app. Read the RTX Remix article to learn more about the contest and winners. Each week, the RTX AI Garage blog series features community-driven AI innovations and content for those looking to learn more about NVIDIA NIM microservices and AI Blueprints, as well as building AI agents, creative workflows, productivity apps and more on AI PCs and workstations.  Plug in to NVIDIA AI PC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X — and stay informed by subscribing to the RTX AI PC newsletter. Join NVIDIA’s Discord server to connect with community developers and AI enthusiasts for discussions on what’s possible with RTX AI. Follow NVIDIA Workstation on LinkedIn and X.  See notice regarding software product information.

La sélection algérienne des joueurs locaux (A’) a achevé, dimanche soir, sa préparation en prévision de son match face au Niger, prévu, ce lundi au Nyayo national stadium de Nairobi (18h00), comptant pour la 5e et dernière journée (Gr.C) du Championnat d’Afrique des nations de football CHAN-2024 (reporté à 2025).La dernière séance d’entraînement s’est déroulée en début de soirée au Police Sacco Stadium, dans une atmosphère fraîche. Le sélectionneur national, Madjid Bougherra, a disposé de l’ensemble de son effectif et a mis à profit cette ultime mise au point pour affiner les réglages tactiques, a indiqué la Fédération algérienne (FAF) sur son site officiel.شاهد المحتوى كاملا على الشروق أونلاينThe post CHAN-2024: La sélection algérienne prête pour affronter le Niger appeared first on الشروق أونلاين.

Last week, we asked you to hop into your favorite game’s Photo Mode and pick a filter using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights using a stylized filter: Dunaaa5 shares a red-tinted sideeye from Cyberpunk 2077. CarrotsCaptures shares Jin raising his katana in Ghost of Tsushima with a whited out background. fwto_ shares the red filtered atmosphere of a BT watcher from Death Stranding 2: On The Beach. secondcapture shares a movie poster style shot of Julianna from Deathproof. KeenEyeVP shares a red-filtered shot of Naoe sneaking around a corner in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. sednin shares a black and white polaroid style portrait of Eve from Stellar Blade. Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme, or be inspired by other great games featuring Photo Mode. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Senua’s Saga: Hellblade IISUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on August 20, 2025  Next week, overcome darkness in Senua’s Sage: Hellblade II. Share moments from Senua’s brutal journey for survival using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Chris Kerr, Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.comAugust 15, 20254 Min ReadImage via GamescomGamescom 2025 is less than a week away and the annual industry showcase has broken a deluge of records before a single person has stepped foot inside the cavernous halls of the Koelnmesse. The five-day event, which brands itself as Europe's leading trade fair for digital games culture, will host over 1,500 exhibitors from 72 countries in 2025. It's a notable first that organizers say will comprise the most diverse lineup in Gamescom history. To accommodate burgeoning exhibitor interest, Gamescom 2025 is expanding its footprint to a record 233,000 square meters. Record registration numbers mean it's a smart move, with last year's event attracting 335,000 visitors. Opening Night Live, the digital and in-person show that kicks off the event with a deluge of video game announcements, has also been moved to Hall 1 for the first time. The switch means 5,000 people will be able to attend in-person—although the showcase will also be streamed online for a global audience.Felix Falk, managing director of game—the German games industry association that owns the Gamescom brand and co-organizes the event with Koelnmesse—described interest in the show as "immense," but why has Gamescom flourished in the years following the pandemic when another major industry event that went by the name of E3 fell into ruin? Related:Speaking to Game Developer earlier this week, Falk suggested Gamescom weathered that storm and emerged stronger because organizers understood the importance of establishing a digital footprint even before COVID-19 left the world in stasis. Opening Night Live was part of that push to attract a global audience via the power of streaming, and Falk explained that almost 50 million people watched last year's Geoff Keighly-fronted opening salvo. That's a lot of eyes on the Gamescom brand. Falk said the pivot to a hybrid digital-meets-physical event that included online communities meant Gamescom was in "good shape" before the pandemic. But what about post-COVID? In a world where major publishers are by no means guaranteed to attend in-person events—largely because the likes of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have all taken to saving their biggest announcements for their own digital directs—where is the value in meeting face-to-face?Gamescom organizer says face-to-face events close the 'emotional distance' between  developers and consumersFor both exhibitors and consumers, Falk suggested there is an "emotional" aspect to attending events in-person that is tough to replicate digitally." Related:"Being on-site is a totally different experience and much deeper and much more worthy for the companies and the games, compared to the digital format," he said. "You can see that if you head to the indie area, which is the biggest indie area we've ever had, and there you'll normally find the developer stood next to the game. You can talk to them—and they love the feedback. Of course, you could do a survey online and get feedback that way, but it's different from talking to each other." In short, he explained that in-person events close the "emotional distance" between developers and players to create experiences that simply cannot be replicated online. Falk described digital events as "fast" and "dynamic" by contrast, which makes them a unique proposition in their own right. So, by cultivating an online presence and letting people engage with the show virtually, Falk claimed Gamescom managed to become a "platform for the whole industry.""[The hybrid setup] means you do find target groups and communities you normally don't reach," he added. "You also reach media or stakeholders who wouldn't normally come to your specific showcase, because you're a part of the biggest show worldwide for gaming."Making digital inroads also allows Gamescom to expand without stretching the in-person event to a breaking point. Discussing what long-term success means for the showcase, Falk explained he doesn't believe Gamescom will live or die based on "one KPI of scale." Related:In fact, he said organizers have been intentionally limiting attendance in Cologne to preserve the atmosphere of the show. "We don't want the atmosphere to be worse because we squeeze in too many people," he continued. "We could squeeze more in—which we don't—because the quality of the experience is important for the fans." Still, there is room for measured growth. Falk noted the record number of exhibitors was possible because there is still room to expand the show floor, but reiterated that "more" isn't the overarching plan. "We have more exhibitors than ever before, which is great because we still have space to grow, but [success] is more about variety and diversity of content," he added. "It is not our aim to grow, grow, grow—because that doesn't make sense. It's more about the quality and most importantly the digital reach, which we have seen over the last few years is exponentially growing." Gamescom is also expanding into other regions such as Latin America and Asia, but we'll have more on that particular topic next week. Stay locked on Game Developer for more.Game Developer attended Gamescom 2025 via the Gamescom Media Ambassador Program, which covered flights and accommodation.Read more about:Top StoriesGamescomAbout the AuthorChris KerrSenior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.comGame Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.See more from Chris KerrDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

IntroductionHi, I'm Berkay Dobrucali, Co-Founder of JustBStudios. I also work full-time as the Unity Team Lead at Hivemind Studios. Since my last interview with 80 Level, we won a Unity Award in the Best Artistic Content category with our Stylized Nature pack on behalf of Hivemind. These days, we've been focusing on both Unreal and Unity environments, working on some exciting new projects. I'm also continuing to bridge the gap between platforms by converting Unreal content into Unity.
Becoming an Environment ArtistSince I studied interior architecture, I started modeling houses and furniture using 3ds Max during my early university years. After graduation, I worked professionally in the field for a while. Later on, I joined an asset creator studio, where I began learning Unity. Over time, I found myself becoming more interested in environment design, lighting, and optimization rather than just modelingThe biggest challenge was starting from scratch and having to learn so many different aspects at once. But as time passed, I improved steadily and began to develop a broader understanding across various areas of environment art.I initially started with 3ds Max and became quite proficient in it. Later on, I added Photoshop to my workflow. As I specialized in both Unreal and Unity, I also found myself using Photoshop and Premiere Pro occasionally. For tasks like texture editing and video editing when needed.In the beginning, I benefited a lot from Udemy and free YouTube courses. Watching a lot of tutorials and repeating the process over and over was key to improving my skills.Environment art has always fascinated me because it has the power to directly convey atmosphere to the player. As an interior architect, I'm especially drawn to how a space can contribute to storytelling and immerse the player in a narrative. I often find inspiration from modern games and artistic platforms like ArtStation. Additionally, abandoned real-world structures and nature serve as important sources of inspiration for me.
Art-to-ExperienceI was involved in the project as the Art Director. The project was completed by three people. One of my teammates, who is also my Co-Founder, Begüm Dobrucali, was responsible for modeling and texturing the assets in the pack.She first created high-poly meshes in Blender, then baked them down to low-poly versions. For texturing, she used Substance 3D Painter. Once the asset and texture creation were complete, we asked another team member, Sude Kömür, to create the level design using the assets, based on the references we gathered. We stayed in close communication throughout this process and managed to create a compelling level. Afterward, we moved on to lighting. Since it was a desert environment, we used warm-toned directional lighting to illuminate the scene.The main challenge was placing the level elements correctly and ensuring everything was scaled properly to human proportions. Otherwise, the pack would have looked inconsistent.Using Emperia's Creator Tools plug-in was a smooth and enjoyable experience for me. The plug-in came with clear and detailed guidelines, which allowed me to follow each step carefully and complete the necessary tasks with ease. This comprehensive documentation made the entire process much faster and more efficient on my end. Overall, thanks to its user-friendly interface and logical workflow, working with the plugin was straightforward and significantly simplified my work.Thoughts on the Digital Art IndustryOne of the major issues in the industry is how quickly content is consumed and how often the artist's effort goes unrecognized. Additionally, the uncontrolled use of AI-generated content poses a threat to many artists. I believe we need more respect and recognition for the craft and the people behind it.Advice for BeginnersBeginners should focus on building a solid foundation and maintaining patience throughout the learning process. They should pay special attention to asset creation, level design, and lighting. I recommend starting with free resources on YouTube, and once they reach a certain level, diving deeper into paid courses for more advanced learning.Additionally, working on small but achievable projects is very important for growth.JustBStudios TeamInterview conducted by Theodore McKenzie

It’s not quite the designated Spooky Season yet, but there’s something about hot summer nights that makes the thought of body-chilling horror hit much harder. Fortunately for fans of the creepy, bloody, and frightening, there are noteworthy PS5 horror games on their way that’ll stick around in your nightmares. Still, true terror is a year-round experience. So, we’ll be looking at releases further forward as well—into the 2025 Halloween season, and even further beyond into the harsh, unforgiving winter months of 2026. Steel yourselves, players, because between atmospheric indies, classic reimaginings, and blockbuster sequels, the next several months will offer a harvest of the finest frights. Play Video Killing Floor 3 Release Date: July 24, 2025Developer: Tripwire InteractivePublisher: Tripwire Interactive Sometimes, all you can do in the face of massive, encroaching horror is fight back with the biggest, baddest weapons and the bravest companions that you can. Gather a group of up to four friends (or play solo, if you’re brave) and take the role of one of six different types of specialists to lay waste to the hordes of monstrous Zeds. The enhanced M.E.A.T. (Massive Evisceration and Trauma) system makes every shot, slice, and stab interact with enemies and the environment in realistic, satisfying detail. Play Video Cronos: The New Dawn Release Date: September 5, 2025Developer: Bloober TeamPublisher: Bloober Team Time comes for us all eventually, but in the future of Cronos, it looks like humanity’s time is almost up. Surviving the attacks of the hideous, once-human terrors of this bleak future and ensuring their remains are incinerated before they merge into bigger threats is already a challenge, but the only glimmer of hope seems even more impossible: extracting the souls of those involved in The Change from decades ago into the future. As these souls aid and augment you, they also haunt you. Will you be able to endure an ordeal that transcends time? Play Video Dying Light: The Beast Release Date: September 19, 2025Developer: TechlandPublisher: Techland Kyle Crane, the protagonist of the original Dying Light, has a grudge—he’s still dealing with the aftereffects of years of unethical experimentation on his body. He’s left as something not quite human, but not quite undead, and he wants revenge on the Baron who did this to him. The monstrous hordes infesting the once-scenic Castor Woods aren’t going to make this easy for him, either—especially once the sun sets and they get really vicious. It’s up to you to use all of Kyle’s abilities to survive solo or in up to four-player co-op play. Play Video Silent Hill f Release Date: September 25, 2025Developer: NeoBards EntertainmentPublisher: Konami Digital Entertainment The all-time great horror series re-invents itself with a new setting, but keeps all of the psychological horror you know and love. Travel back to the ’60s in fog-filled Ebisugaoka, Japan, where young Hinako Shimizu’s ordinary schoolgirl life has been taking some very disturbing turns. Famed visual novel writer Ryukishi07 has developed a setting and narrative that combines the classic atmosphere and madness of the Silent Hill series with the best of Japanese horror traditions. Longtime series fans and newcomers alike won’t want to miss this one. Play Video Little Nightmares 3 Release Date: October 10, 2025 Developer: SuperMassive GamesPublisher: Bandai Namco Games The cult classic horror adventure game returns with a new duo of adventurers and a new realm of terror. Two youths, Low and Alone, find themselves in the Nowhere—a world that exists beyond human sleep and is filled with the abominations of our unconscious. Using Low’s bow and Alone’s wrench, you’ll need to figure out how to navigate this wasteland and conquer its threats. You won’t have to face these nightmares alone, however, as Little Nightmares 3 offers co-op play in a series first. Play Video Crisol: Theater of Idols Release Date: 2025Developer: Vermila StudiosPublisher: Blumhouse Games In the alternate-universe Spain of Crisol, faith and folklore have melded to create a realm of twisted devotion and idolatry. As the warrior Gabriel, you have been sent to the accursed island of Tormentosa, where wicked cults hold demonic ceremonies and beautiful yet horrifying graven images move in a mockery of life. Your blood acts as both your life force and your weapon ammunition, adding a terrifying twist to already intense combat. In the end, how will your blood be shed? Play Video Resident Evil Requiem Release Date: February 27, 2026Developer: CapcomPublisher: Capcom Ahh, Raccoon City, how we’ve missed you. The ninth entry in the trailblazing survival horror series goes back to where it all began, bringing back some classic storyline threads along with it. FBI intelligence analyst Grace Ashcroft takes the starring role this time around. Her mother was murdered while looking for information on the mysterious Wrenwood Hotel, leading Grace into a life of her own investigation. When Grace revisits the Raccoon City incidents, what will she discover? Resident Evil Requiem is due out in February 2026, and we can’t think of a better anniversary celebration. Play Video Reanimal Release Date: 2026Developer: Tarsier StudiosPublisher: THQ Nordic Familial bonds are put to the test in Reanimal. Two young orphans are put through a living hell on a dark, isolated island, facing both mutated monstrosities and representations of their own trauma. Local and online co-op allows you and a companion to fight your way through this oppressive world together, and a dynamic camera designed to constantly ratchet up the fear and tension will keep you on your toes throughout. Play Video End of Abyss Release Date: 2026Developer: Section 9Publisher: Epic Games Deep underground lies a seemingly abandoned complex—but a strange message has emerged from its forgotten depths. The technician Cel goes down to investigate the source of the signal, only to encounter a dim, claustrophobic world of tunnels, eerie glows, and aggressive creatures that appear to be both organic and mechanical. The top-down perspective of End of Abyss allows for players to feel the weight of the atmosphere and the tension of exploration, as the mystery beckons them ever deeper. Play Video Directive 8020 Release Date: 2026Developer: SuperMassive GamesPublisher: SuperMassive Games Tau ceti f looked like a potential new home for humanity. Then the ship Cassiopeia crashed there, and our assumptions were proven extremely wrong. The latest in the Dark Pictures horror game anthology series, Directive 8020 puts five heroes with few defenses on an unfamiliar planet, where they’re pursued by a shapeshifting organism. The Turning Points feature allows players to rewind back to pivotal scenes and make different choices to see new outcomes, but will you have it in you to make the hardest choices of all? Play Video ILL Release Date: To be announcedDeveloper: Team Clout/MundfishPublisher: Team Clout A mysterious fort in a desolate world acts as the setting for the highly-anticipated horror-action game ILL. The narrative will draw you in, but the encounters will leave you shaking. As you explore the fort’s halls, you’ll come face-to-face with some truly unsettling creatures that look and move as though they were torn directly from your nightmares. You’ll need to use your limited resources wisely, wielding and crafting weapons before tearing the freaks apart in physics-driven, ultra-gory combat. Play Video Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival Release Date: To be announcedDeveloper: Saber InteractivePublisher: Saber Interactive Hellraiser: Revival is a single-player, first-person action survival horror experience that will put you into the dark world of Clive Barker’s twisted imagination. Play as Aidan, the protagonist in the story who must fight with various melee and ranged weapons, and use the mystical powers of the Genesis Configuration to take down unholy enemies.  Finding a way to survive your bargain with the infamous Pinhead and help your girlfriend Sunny escape is never as simple as it seems in a world filled with Cenobites, cultists, deviants, and the realm of torture and pain that is the Labyrinth.   *Release dates shown are correct at time of publish but subject to change.

Solo Developer Heevak, the creator of the upcoming atmospheric narrative-driven game LIA, shared a new glimpse of the WIP gameplay, comparing two versions of the footage – with and without a footstep particle effect.The developer crafted a dreamy, fantasy-inspired world with beautiful nature, which, complete with high-quality sound effects, creates a truly wonderful atmosphere:LIA doesn't have a Steam page yet, and Heevak has been sharing updates on the project on X/Twitter. The game already features diverse environments with stunning stylized visuals brought to life using Unreal Engine 5:Don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.

For the past 15 years, PlayStation Plus has served as a welcoming home for indie games, connecting players with some of the most innovative, heartfelt, and personal experiences the world of video games has to offer. The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog (included with PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium memberships) puts a huge library of indie games right at your fingertips—but with so many games available, it’s possible for even some of the best to escape your notice.  As we’ve entered the 15th anniversary of PlayStation Plus, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best indies from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. These are games that you might have missed, but you absolutely shouldn’t. Play Video A Space for the Unbound A Space for the Unbound delves into the lives of teenagers living in Indonesia in the 1990s, at first telling an endearing slice-of-life story about friendship and first loves. Then things start to get weird. As supernatural elements weave their way into the point-and-click adventure of high schoolers Atma and Raya, A Space for the Unbound quickly becomes a powerful, impactful, and highly relatable experience. Publisher: Chorus Worldwide Games | Developer: Mojiken Studio | PS5, PS4 Play Video Abiotic Factor The incident that turned Gordon Freeman into an HEV suit-wearing hero was just another day at the office for everyone else at Black Mesa. Abiotic Factor takes inspiration from the random lab employees stuck at work on the day an errant experiment rips a hole in another dimension, but imagines the experience as a survival game instead of a first-person shooter. Trapped in the facility with up to five friends, you’ll need to seek out resources like food and water, and craft weapons out of office supplies—all while avoiding the otherworldly creatures that are your new neighbors. Publisher: Playstack | Developer: Deep Field Games | PS5 Play Video Another Crab’s Treasure If Dark Souls took place in Sponge Bob’s underwater town of Bikini Bottom, it might look something like Another Crab’s Treasure. As a hermit crab named Kril, you set out to reclaim your shell after it’s repossessed, and soon find yourself scavenging trash to use as armor and weapons to fight off tough creatures. Another Crab’s Treasure tells a lighthearted tale set in an unsanitary sea, but don’t let the colorful palette and funny characters fool you: It also packs some serious boss battles to put Souls-like fans through their paces. Publisher: Aggro Crab | Developer: Aggro Crab | PS5, PS4 Play Video Blue Prince Blue Prince starts with a death. The baron of Mount Holly Manor has passed away, leaving the 45-room estate to you—but only if you can manage to find and enter its 46th room. That’s a challenge, as each door you open leads to your choice of room, forcing you to plot a new course through its halls, bedrooms, and kitchens with each new day. Blue Prince, a Day One addition to the PlayStation Plus Catalog, is delightfully dense with puzzles, secrets, and mysteries that combine to become much more than they first appear. Publisher: Raw Fury | Developer: Dogubomb | PS5 Play Video Celeste Madeline has something to prove to herself, and that’s why she’s going to climb a mountain. It’s not an easy feat, however—though the controls of side-scrolling platformer Celeste are relatively simple to pick up, it takes mastery of precise jumps and dashes to ascend through level after level. Celeste uses its excellent platforming to tell a surprisingly deep and emotional story, as Madeline struggles to fight back her inner demons all the way to the summit. Publisher: Maddy Makes Games | Developer: Maddy Makes Games | PS4 Play Video Citizen Sleeper Sci-fi RPG Citizen Sleeper charges you with finding a way to escape your corporate indentured servitude as a sleeper—a digitized human mind inhabiting a robot body. What follows is a haunting and human story played out through a series of small events, where table top RPG-style dice rolls, coupled with your choices, determine what happens. It’s easy to get lost trying to eke out a living in Citizen Sleeper’s imaginative sci-fi future, one that’s bleak at times, and hopeful at others. Publisher: Fellow Traveler Games | Developer: Jump Over the Age | PS5, PS4 Play Video Cult of the Lamb Touched by a dark god, an incredibly cute lamb is sent into the world to bring its Word to other cuddly critters. Grow your flock and gather resources to build and manage an ever-growing compound where your followers live, work, and occasionally volunteer to be sacrificed to their fell deity. When you’re not building up a home for your followers, you’ll venture out into the world to vanquish other powerful cult leaders, giving Cult of the Lamb a devilishly delightful mix of colony building and rogue-like gameplay. Publisher: Devolver Digital | Developer: Massive Monster | PS5, PS4 Play Video Dead Cells Hacking and slashing has perhaps never been so refined—or so expansive—as it is in Dead Cells. The side-scrolling “roguevania” sends you out into various shifting locales to fight through hordes of creatures, and provides you with a host of inventive weapons to do so. Knives and swords are cool, but how about an automated crossbow turret? How about a crossbow turret that sets people on fire? How about a fiery crossbow turret that sprays poison? With a huge number of weapons to unlock and upgrades to earn, Dead Cells will constantly keep you returning to its speedy, intense combat for just one more run. Publisher: Motion Twin | Developer: Motion Twin | PS5, PS4 Play Video Dredge The gentle rolling seas are calling, and with your fishing boat, you can venture out to haul in a catch and make a decent living. Just don’t worry too much about those twisted abominations that sometimes fill your nets, or the strange shapes that creep in the dark fog. Dredge is sometimes a relaxing fishing game, sometimes a strange tale of supernatural mystery, and sometimes a single boat’s journey into the eldritch unknown; it turns out that fishing and horror work extremely well together. Publisher: Team17 | Developer: Black Salt Games | PS5, PS4 Play Video Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition Inspired by side-scrolling classics like Metroid and Mega Man X, Hollow Knight sends you deep into a fallen insect kingdom known as the Hallownest to put a stop to an infection that has cursed its people. Exploring the tunnels and cities of Hallownest takes you on a sprawling adventure to fight colossal creatures, meet and battle other bugs, and uncover the mystery of what destroyed a once-great civilization. Publisher: Team Cherry | Developer: Team Cherry | PS4 Play Video Paradise Killer This dazzlingly bizarre and stylish murder mystery throws you into a surreal world of gods, syndicates, and cosmic corruption. As Lady Love Dies, you’re tasked with solving a murder on a tropical island outside of space and time. The game’s open-ended investigation, vaporwave aesthetic, and synth-laced soundtrack create an intoxicating atmosphere where every clue matters and every accusation is yours to make. Paradise Killer is a bold, genre-defying detective experience and a must-play for ’80s-inspired synthwave fans. Publisher: Fellow Traveller | Developer: Kaizen Game Works | PS5, PS4 Play Video Tetris Effect: Connected Few games create a more all-encompassing zenlike experience than Tetris Effect: Connected. The classic puzzle game is elevated by captivating visuals and a phenomenal soundtrack that sync perfectly with your play, pulling you into a block-dropping flow state that’s only elevated by the ability to play with up to four other people. Tetris Effect: Connected is the next stage in evolution of one of the best games of all time. Publisher: Enhance Games | Developer: Monstars, Resonair | PS5, PS4 Play Video Moonlighter Ever wonder what the shopkeepers of an RPG town get up to when you’re not around? In Moonlighter, you play a merchant who goes dungeon-crawling by night to find new wares to sell by day. Your skills in capitalism help to fuel your nightly adventures as you delve deeper into the dungeons, taking on hulking bosses in hopes of finally leaving the shopkeep life behind and making it as a full-time hero. Publisher: 11 bit Studios | Developer: Digital Sun | PS4 Play Video Undertale Funny, heartfelt, and unexpected, Undertale might be one of the most beloved indie games ever made. It tells the story of a human who falls into the subterranean world of monsters, but flips RPG genre conventions on their heads with a battle system that gives you the option to talk your way out of fights and spare the many creatures who attack you. Emotional, often-hilarious writing and strange, well-realized characters have made Undertale memorable, but it’s the choices you make that will define your journey. Publisher: 8-4 Ltd. | Developer: Toby Fox | PS4 Play Video Untitled Goose Game A town full of people is just trying to live in peace—unfortunately for them but luckily for you, a goose is loose. Untitled Goose Game finds hilarity in the simple chaos of a goose stealing stuff, honking at people, and generally ruining everyone’s day. Racing around a series of sandbox areas, it’s your goal to get into as much trouble as you can, with a variety of goals to fulfill, puzzles to solve, and angry townspeople to evade and bewilder.  Publisher: Panic Inc. | Developer: House House | PS4 These are just some of the great games that are worth your attention—there are a whole lot more in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog. Head to playstation.com to see the full library to find a heap of excellent indies worth exploring. Discover more great indies on PlayStation.