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Dawn of War 4 may be the most generous RTS I've played
Dawn of War 4 is shaping up to be an incredibly generous Real-Time Strategy game, offering players numerous options to tailor their experience, including a skip mission button and extensive skirmish mode customization. Developer King Art Games, led by director Jan Theysen, emphasizes player fun over a rigid vision, incorporating elements from previous titles and promising extensive post-launch support. The game aims to be accessible to new RTS players while still offering depth for veterans, with a strong commitment to its Warhammer 40,000 setting.
Fishlabs announces layoffs due to "changing project requirements," development and support teams affected
German developer Fishlabs has announced workforce reductions affecting its development and support teams due to changing project requirements. This follows a similar downsizing in 2023 as part of Embracer Group's restructuring. The studio expressed gratitude to affected employees and commitment to supporting them.
"It was a bit of a ‘nothing stops this train’ moment" - The Neo Geo AES+ almost didn't happen thanks to AI, but a chip workaround saved the day
The remake of SNK's Neo Geo AES+ console, now delayed until September 2027, faced near cancellation due to global semiconductor shortages driven by AI data center demand. Plaion's director Ben Jones explained that the high demand for flash chips almost halted production, but a workaround involving serial flash chips was implemented, causing the delay. This situation highlights how AI demand is impacting the availability and price of components for various electronic devices, including retro consoles.
Metro 2039 executive producer says the game brings back the 'spookiness' of the claustrophobic metro tunnels from the first games while also offering open world zones: 'We didn't want to ditch everything that we did in Metro Exodus'
Metro 2039 executive producer Jon Bloch stated that the game will reintroduce the claustrophobic tunnel exploration from earlier titles while retaining open-world elements from Metro Exodus. Creative director Andriy Shevchenko added that the team aims to blend the best aspects of both approaches to create a compelling, immersive story. Metro 2039 is set to release in February 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a focus on optimization across all platforms.
Metro 2039 takes us back to Moscow, but it's still got some delicious bits of Exodus in there
4A Games is returning to Moscow with Metro 2039, the fourth mainline entry in the series, featuring a new protagonist named The Stranger. The preview highlights a blend of familiar Metro gameplay with the open-world elements introduced in Metro Exodus, offering exploration above ground and stealth-focused combat in tunnels. Despite some reservations about the new protagonist's voice acting, the preview expresses excitement for the full release.
Metro 2039 brings back weapon customization from Metro Exodus, but that isn't the only thing we learned from its…
4A Games revealed new details for Metro 2039 at Gamescom: Opening Night Live 2026, showcasing its stunning visual evolution from Metro Exodus and a return to claustrophobic Moscow environments. The game will feature in-field weapon customization, new exploration tools like a blowtorch and UV lamp, and familiar paranormal elements. Metro 2039 is slated for a February 2027 release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Necrons are "extremely arrogant aliens that feel like they cannot die," so their weakness in Dawn of War 4 is an obvious one: greed
Dawn of War 4's Necron faction is designed around greed, with their strength lying in expanding their 'Power Matrix' across the map for resources and defensive bonuses. This expansion mechanic, however, creates a vulnerability to aggressive counterattacks if players overextend without proper defenses. Senior game designer Elliott Verbiest explains this design choice aims to create more engaging multiplayer gameplay by introducing a clear weakness to the Necrons' otherwise near-immortal nature.
Your most powerful Necron unit in Dawn of War 4 is a sentient shard of a dead star god, and boy does he hate you
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 features the C'Tan Shard of the Void Dragon as its most powerful Necron unit, a fragment of a dead star god that harbors resentment towards its masters. Senior game designer Elliott Verbiest explains that this unit's unique lore reflects the Necrons' ancient history and their complex relationship with the C'Tan, making it a compelling addition to the real-time strategy gameplay.
Playstack sold, Xbox announces business 'reset,' and is generative AI poisoning the well? - Patch Notes #56
Playstack has been sold to Integrated Media Company, with TruFin divesting its majority stake. Xbox announced a business 'reset' involving potential layoffs and studio closures, as confirmed by leaders Asha Sharma and Matt Booty. Concerns are also rising about generative AI's impact on the industry, with Take-Two's former head of AI, Luke Dicken, expressing worries about the current hype cycle.
'There is a liar in these tunnels' — Metro 2039 gets new action-packed trailer, teasing first-person stealth-action gameplay, a new stealth weapon, and a February 2027 release window
A new gameplay trailer for Metro 2039 was revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026, showcasing stealth-action gameplay and a new protagonist named The Stranger. The game is set to launch in February 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, featuring a return to claustrophobic stealth and survival mechanics in a post-apocalyptic Moscow.
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush announced at Summer Game Fest, launching later this year
Hot Wheels Infinite Rush, an arcade racing game featuring over 150 cars and customizable tracks, was announced at Summer Game Fest. It is set to launch on September 21, 2026, with an early access release planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
VR developer Vertigo Games shutters Amsterdam studio
VR developer Vertigo Games has closed its Amsterdam studio due to ongoing challenges within the virtual reality industry. CEO Richard Stitselaar expressed gratitude for the team's contributions and stated the company's focus is on supporting affected employees. This closure reflects broader difficulties in the VR sector, with other companies like Rec Room and Polyarc Games also experiencing cutbacks.
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 gets a release date, as devs suggest we could get even more factions after launch
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 is set to release on September 17th, with an early access date of September 14th for the Commander Edition. Developer King Art Games plans post-launch content including a return of Crusade Mode in autumn 2026, new modes, map packs, a mission editor, and additional commanders. Paid DLC will include a Blood Ravens Story Prologue and an Aftermath Campaign Expansion featuring a new faction.
Get another look at Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War 4 as we deep dive into the Adeptus Mechanicus faction
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 has released a new gameplay trailer focusing on the Adeptus Mechanicus faction. The trailer showcases the faction's units, leader units, and mechanized vehicles, highlighting their fast-paced, tech-heavy combat style. This follows a recent CGI trailer for the faction and provides a glimpse into the game ahead of its release later this year.
A New The Lord Of The Rings Game From Kingdom Come Studio? Here's How The Dev Responded To The Rumor
Czech developer Warhorse Studios, known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, has responded to rumors about developing a new The Lord of the Rings game. While not confirming specifics, the studio stated they are working on a large, immersive RPG and intend to stay within the genre. This follows reports that Embracer Group, which owns the gaming rights to The Lord of the Rings and Warhorse, is exploring multiple new game projects within the franchise.
New retro console smashes annual target after just 24 hours of pre-orders
The new Neo Geo AES+ retro console has exceeded its entire annual sales forecast within 24 hours of pre-orders opening, according to Embracer Group co-founder Lars Wingefors. The console, a modern recreation of the original Neo Geo, is priced at $180 and includes features like HDMI output and overclocking. SNK Corporation and Plaion are launching the console with ten classic Neo Geo games.
ZX Spectrum returns with new Spectral White version for 44th anniversary
Retro Games and Plaion have released a new anniversary edition of the ZX Spectrum, titled the Spectrum White ZX Spectrum, to celebrate its 44th anniversary. This full-sized recreation includes a rubber keyboard, 48 built-in classic games, modern HDMI output, USB ports, and a rewind feature. The standard edition costs £129, with a collector's edition available for pre-order at £199.99.
DEAD ISLAND 2 CELEBRATES THREE YEARS OF THE HELL-A ZOMPOCALYPSE
Deep Silver and Dambuster Studios are celebrating the third anniversary of Dead Island 2 with several initiatives. A free crossover update for Quarantine Zone is available, and the Dead Island Series Bundle is coming to Xbox Series S|X and PlayStation 5. New artwork and an infographic also commemorate the milestone.
FPGA dev claims the Neo Geo AES+ is "basically the MiSTer core" broken up into separate chips
FPGA developer Pramod Somashekar claims the upcoming Neo Geo AES+ console, which promises to recreate the original hardware using ASICs, is essentially a repackaged MiSTer FPGA core. While another expert, Furrtek, suggests the device has the potential to be the best remake since SNK's original hardware, Somashekar argues that using hard-wired ASICs prevents future updates, unlike FPGA solutions. The debate centers on whether the Neo Geo AES+ offers genuine innovation or a 'bait and switch' by Plaion.
DAWN OF WAR IV: THE ADEPTUS MECHANICUS EMERGES IN NEW CGI REVEAL
Deep Silver and KING Art Games revealed the Adeptus Mechanicus as a new playable faction in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV with a CGI trailer. This is the second of four faction reveals for the upcoming real-time strategy game, set to release in 2026 for PC. The trailer showcases the Adeptus Mechanicus' pursuit of ancient technology and their conflict with Necron forces.
