Defect
News, coverage and analysis tracking Defect across the outlets.
Horizon Steel Frontiers Pushed to First Half of 2027, Cinder City Out in Second Half of 2026NCSoft has delayed Horizon Steel Frontiers to the first half of 2027, with Cinder City and Time Takers slated for the second half of 2026. The MMORPG, developed using Unreal Engine 5 for PC, iOS, and Android, will feature unique gameplay elements like using a Pullcaster to climb giant machines. A PlayStation 5 release is being considered, with NCSoft working closely with Guerrilla Games to maintain visual fidelity and create unique gameplay.- MMO Business Roundup: Unionized game devs march through GDC, 2K Games mocap devs unionizeThe game industry saw significant unionization news this week, with unionized developers marching at GDC to advocate for workers' rights, including protections against AI and crunch. Additionally, motion capture performers at 2K Games have formed a union, securing a contract with benefits and protections against AI likeness reproduction. NCsoft also released a trailer for its tactical shooter Defect.
- NC America Partners With emptyvessel to Publish DEFECTNC America has announced a new partnership with emptyvessel. The collaboration will see emptyvessel's upcoming tactical shooter, DEFECT, published by NC America.
NC America Partners With emptyvessel to Publish DEFECTNC America has partnered with emptyvessel to publish the game DEFECT. Further details about the partnership and the game's release are expected.- DEFECT story trailer released as NCSoft joins developmentThe first story teaser for the cyberpunk first-person shooter DEFECT has been released, showcasing the single-player mode where players control a System Control Officer marked deficient by an AI. NCSoft has joined developer emptyvessel as a partner for the single-player mode's development. The game is confirmed for PC with Steam Deck compatibility in development, and future playtests will be announced.
NC America to publish cyberpunk shooter DEFECT — MP3s & NPCsNC America has announced it will publish emptyvessel's cyberpunk shooter DEFECT, which is slated for a PC release. The partnership aims to support the game's single-player experience, a focus that NC America highlighted as a strength in the current FPS landscape. DEFECT features a dystopian setting with both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes.- MMO Business Roundup: Game devs on Marathon concurrency discourse, Matt Booty says no new layoffsMicrosoft's CCO Matt Booty stated there will be no immediate layoffs at Xbox studios. Game developers are defending Marathon's concurrency numbers, while NCsoft is investing in third-party studios JustPlay and emptyvessel. Roblox has launched new development programs, Incubator and Jumpstart, to support creators on its platform.
NC AMERICA PARTNERS WITH INDEPENDENT DEVELOPER ‘EMPTYVESSEL’ TO PUBLISH DEFECTNC America has partnered with independent developer emptyvessel to publish the close-quarter cyberpunk shooter, DEFECT. This agreement will allow emptyvessel to focus on developing both its multiplayer and single-player gameplay. DEFECT is a team-based, objective-driven first-person shooter set in a dystopian city.- DEFECT to be published by NC AmericaNC America, the western publishing division of NCSOFT, will publish the close-quarter cyberpunk shooter DEFECT, developed by emptyvessel. Further details about the game's release are expected soon.
DEFECT is Now Being Published by NC AmericaNC America, the US division of NCSoft, has announced it will publish the upcoming cyberpunk shooter DEFECT, developed by emptyvessel. While a release date has not been set, both companies expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting NCSoft's support for the game's single-player experience and its potential in the competitive FPS market. The game will feature team-based multiplayer matches and a HUD-less single-player mode, with music by Mick Gordon.
15 First Person Shooter (FPS) Games of 2026This article highlights upcoming first-person shooter games slated for release in 2026, showcasing a diverse range of titles from militaristic combat to sci-fi horror. Featured games include Marathon, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Better Than Dead, Resident Evil Requiem, John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, DEFECT, NO LAW, Road to Vostok, MOUSE: P.I. For Hire, ExeKiller, ILL, Rogue Point, Witchfire, and Valor Mortis, each offering unique gameplay mechanics and settings.
NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, Path Tracing and G-SYNC Pulsar Supercharge Gameplay With Enhanced Performance and VisualsNVIDIA announced DLSS 4.5 at CES, introducing Dynamic Multi Frame Generation and a second-generation transformer model for enhanced performance and visuals in over 250 games. The company also debuted RTX Remix Logic for modding classic games with dynamic graphics effects and showcased NVIDIA ACE technology for AI-powered NPCs in titles like Total War: PHARAOH and PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. New G-SYNC Pulsar monitors offering superior motion clarity and adaptive technology are also now available.