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Mortal Shell II Gameplay Reveal Gets New Trailer
Publisher Playstack and developer Cold Symmetry have released a new gameplay reveal trailer for Mortal Shell II, showcasing combat, bosses, and environments. The sequel to Mortal Shell will feature expanded combat, deeper weapon design, and an interconnected open world. Mortal Shell II is slated for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Mortal Shell 2 reveals first look at gameplay
Publisher Playstack and developer Cold Symmetry have revealed the first gameplay for Mortal Shell 2, a standalone sequel to their action RPG. The game will feature expanded combat, deeper weapon design, and an emphasis on free exploration within an interconnected open world. Mortal Shell 2 is set to release in 2026 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
Raccoin Review - Lets go gambl... wait, I've been here before....
Raccoin is a roguelike deckbuilder that uses a coin pusher mechanic, developed by Doraccoon and published by Playstack. While it offers satisfying combo-building and unlockable characters, the game suffers from balancing issues and an overwhelming sound design during large combos. It is seen as another entry in the 'gambling but not really' genre popularized by Balatro, but struggles to differentiate itself.
Watch 11 minutes of Mortal Shell II gameplay
Cold Symmetry and Playstack have released over 11 minutes of gameplay for Mortal Shell II, showcasing three distinct character "Shells." The standalone sequel is set in a compact open world with over 60 dungeons and tasks players as the Harbinger with reclaiming stolen Ova. Mortal Shell II is slated for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC, with sign-ups available for an open beta.
Mortal Shell II Shows Off Updated Gameplay And More In New Showcase
Mortal Shell II received a new 12-minute gameplay showcase revealing its compact open-world map, new shells like The Acolyte Tiel, The Venerable Eredrim, and The Broodseeker Proxima, and various environments. A physical "Revered Edition" featuring an artbook, steelbook, and prints will launch on PlayStation 5 in 2026, coinciding with the digital release on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders for both standard and Revered editions include exclusive Obsidian and Skeletal Harbinger skins.
First Look at Mortal Shell 2 Gameplay, Launching In 2026 | Console Creatures
Cold Symmetry and Playstack have revealed the first gameplay for Mortal Shell 2, slated for release in 2026 on Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC. The sequel features reworked combat, deeper weapon customization, an interconnected open world, and the ability to possess and evolve different warrior 'Shells'.
First Look at Mortal Shell 2 Gameplay, Launching In 2026 | Console Creatures
Cold Symmetry and Playstack have revealed the first gameplay for Mortal Shell 2, slated for release in 2026 on Xbox Series, PlayStation 5, and PC. The sequel features reworked combat, deeper weapon customization, an interconnected open world, and the ability to possess and evolve different warrior 'Shells'.
Mortal Shell II ‘Gameplay Reveal’ trailer
Publisher Playstack and developer Cold Symmetry have released a 12-minute gameplay reveal trailer for Mortal Shell II. The trailer showcases new gameplay mechanics and environments for the upcoming Soulslike title.
"Coin pusher roguelike" Raccoin sells over 100K units on Steam in 24 hours
The coin pusher roguelike Raccoin has achieved over 100,000 unit sales on Steam within its first 24 hours of release. Developed by Doraccoon and published by Playstack, the game combines arcade coin pusher mechanics with roguelike and deckbuilding elements. Separately, Embark Studios released the Flashpoint update for Arc Raiders, which aims to improve the looting experience by prioritizing players with custom loadouts for fresh servers.
Mortal Shell 2 Gameplay Debut Introduces Three New Ways To Survive The Nightmare
Mortal Shell 2 developer Cold Symmetry has revealed the first gameplay trailer, showcasing three new playable "Shells" and an open-world environment in Fallgrim. The sequel will feature over 60 dungeons and is a standalone experience. A collector's edition exclusive to PlayStation 5 owners has been announced, with the game set to release later this year for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
About Fishing ‘Gameplay’ trailer
Publisher Playstack and developer The Water Museum have released a new gameplay trailer for their upcoming title, About Fishing. The trailer showcases gameplay mechanics for the fishing simulation game.
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent
UK-based company Playstack, known for publishing the hit game Balatro, boasts a success rate of over 85 percent for its published titles. The company also publishes games such as Abiotic Factor and VOID/BREAKER.
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent
Balatro publisher Playstack boasts a high success rate for its published titles. Meanwhile, two senior Xbox leaders, Lori Wright and Haiyan Zhang, have departed Microsoft, announcing their exits on LinkedIn.
The Last Faith Patch Overhauls NG+, Balancing, and Dungeon Mode
Playstack and Kumi Souls Games have released a significant patch for the metroidvania game The Last Faith. The update addresses player feedback from the Awakened Ancients DLC, introducing numerous changes to gameplay, New Game Plus, localization, and more. The patch also includes adjustments to enemy and boss scaling, weapon and skill damage, and various bug fixes across multiple platforms.
Ubisoft announces layoffs and the cease of game development at Red Storm Entertainment
Ubisoft has announced significant cost-cutting measures, including 105 layoffs and the cessation of game development at its Red Storm Entertainment studio. The studio will now focus on the Snowdrop engine, IT, and customer relations. Separately, indie publisher Playstack, owned by TruFin, reported strong financial performance with over 85% of its published games achieving a positive return on investment, largely driven by the success of Balatro.
Balatro publisher Playstack boasts "hit ratio" of over 85%
Parent company TruFin reports that indie label Playstack has achieved a hit ratio of over 85%, with nearly all published games generating a positive return on external development investment. Playstack generated £55.3 million in gross revenue in 2025, a 24% increase year-on-year, and its portfolio has seen over 20 million downloads and 150 million hours played. The success of titles like Balatro has significantly boosted the company's confidence and strategy.
Balatro publisher Playstack has a 'hit ratio' of more than 85 percent
Playstack, the publisher behind the successful game Balatro, has achieved a 'hit ratio' of over 85 percent, indicating most of its published titles have generated positive returns. The company's parent, TruFin, reported significant growth in profit before tax for 2025, with Playstack's catalog grossing over $100 million on Steam alone. Balatro itself sold over 5 million units by January 2025 and contributed to record sales for Playstack.
‘Balatro’ Is Coming to Apple Arcade and Also iOS as a Standalone Premium Release Beginning September 26th – TouchArcade
The popular roguelike card game Balatro is launching on iOS, Android, and Apple Arcade on September 26th for $9.99. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, the game has already sold over 2 million units on PC and consoles. A major free update is planned for 2025.
Battlefield 6 takes home Game of the Year at UKIE Video Game Awards 2026
Battlefield 6 was named UK Game of the Year at the UKIE Game Awards 2026, also taking home best PC game. The ceremony also saw four industry veterans inducted into the UK Games Industry Hall of Fame, including Debbie Bestwick and Jon Ingold. Other winners included Atomfall for best console game and PowerWash Simulator for best mobile game.
Balatro creator reflects on university and bad grades, promising he's "still working" on that 1.1 update
Balatro developer LocalThunk has provided an update on the upcoming 1.1 patch, confirming he is still working on it. He also reflected on his past, including dropping out of an engineering degree to pursue computer science and his early, unreleased game development projects, which shaped his hobbyist approach to game creation.